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Old 07-24-2017, 11:34 PM
SmithNWesson SmithNWesson is offline
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Default How often do you shoot HP

So how often do you shoot hollow point rounds at the range? I have a small stash of HP but i am also a cheap a**. I am in Massachusetts and HP rounds are expensive (maybe .90 to $1) and cant buy online. I have been doing a magazine every other range visit. Should i be firing off more?

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Old 07-25-2017, 12:17 AM
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I shoot enough hollowpoints to satisfy myself that my gun functions reliably with them and that I can shoot them well. About once a year I shoot the ammo I'd been carrying and replace them with fresh ammo. With a semi-auto, I check rounds that've been chambered for setback; after a few chamberings I set it aside for range use. I use cheap practice ammo the rest of the time.
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Old 07-25-2017, 03:50 AM
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^^^^ What he said. ^^^

I'd just add that if you expose the ammo to conditions that might affect it, like moisture, then inspect it and/or replace it.
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Old 07-25-2017, 04:39 AM
Sal1950 Sal1950 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SmithNWesson View Post
So how often do you shoot hollow point rounds at the range? I have a small stash of HP but i am also a cheap a**. I am in Massachusetts and HP rounds are expensive (maybe .90 to $1) and cant buy online. I have been doing a magazine every other range visit. Should i be firing off more?
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You can shoot a lot more, get a lot better, for a lot less $
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Old 07-25-2017, 08:38 AM
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I only train with what I carry therefore I shotgun HP only, even st the range. Since I carry 22 and shoot CCI Velocitors an hour at the range costs me $15 for range tine and $15 for 100 rounds.

Please do not be critical of my EDC being a 22LR. There is a very long thread I started about my reason for doing so. It has a lot of good info about 22 SD capability. I just can't shoot a heavier round anymore.
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Old 07-25-2017, 09:13 AM
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I shoot HPs all the time.

However I live in a FREE State and can order full cases of ammunition online.

I also handload, so I pick my projectile there as well. Handloading is the only way that I could afford to shoot as much as I used to. It also allows me to tailor the ammunition to what I was doing.



These are the 185 grain, .451" Barnes solid copper HPs





Do you have a buddy in a neighboring State that you can ship to and then go visit on a weekend for some shooting? Or invite him to your place
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Old 07-25-2017, 09:32 AM
ImprovedModel56Fan ImprovedModel56Fan is offline
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I agree with ContinentalOp, and do about the same. You are firing more defensive ammo than that, so IMO you are doing even more than necessary. When you use defensive ammo rather than target ammo, do you feel a difference in your hand or see a difference at the target? This may affect your decision (if there's no difference in practice, there is less need to practice with defensive ammo).

I'm sure you already shop around, and stock up when it's cheap. This has gotten me through a few ammo shortages, also.
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Old 07-25-2017, 09:36 AM
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Nothing wrong with doing most of your practice with inexpensive FMJ or lead loads. But it's a good idea to make sure that the bullet weight and velocity of your practice round is a pretty close match to your carry ammo. This assures that your Point of Aim/Point of Impact and the "feel" of your practice ammo will pretty closely match those of your carry round.

Of course, you should always shoot enough of your preferred carry round to make sure that it's reliable in your pistol. How much is "enough" only you can determine.
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Old 07-25-2017, 10:14 AM
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Sounds like you're doing fine.

If it's a CCW or HD pistol I like shooting several different brands of commercially available hollow points thru it to make sure it'll run with pretty much any good quality defense load. I'd say I shoot 90% FMJ, 10% ccw/hd loads, just enough to prove reliability and accuracy to myself.

Massachusetts? You have my sympathy. If you ever have the chance to move to a Free State, be like Nike, "Just Do It".
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Old 07-25-2017, 10:31 AM
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I shoot my carry rounds as I rotate them, about every six months. When I purchase a new box ( I remember when there were 50 rounds in a box) I test fire a magazine or cylinder full to see that they work. Usually when I end up with enough partial boxes, I'll take them out and make brass for reloading.
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Old 07-25-2017, 11:58 AM
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+1 on post #2;

However I do make sure the new ammo has been attained, first.
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Old 07-25-2017, 01:57 PM
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Find a less expensive FMJ round that shoots to the same POI and has similar recoil and practice with that ammo. Unfortunately HP ammo is still very expensive.

I reload so it's fairly easy for me to replicate my carry ammo for less expensive practice but you can match up your carry ammo with factory ammo if you look around enough.

Winchester even puts out their Train/Defense line for that very purpose.
Winchester W Train Reduced Recoil Ammo 38 Special - UPC: 020892220515
Winchester W Defend Reduced Recoil Ammo 38 Special 130 Grain Jacketed

Winchester W Train Reduced Recoil Ammo 9mm Luger 147 Grain Full Metal
Winchester W Defend Reduced Recoil Ammo 9mm Luger 147 Grain Jacketed
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Old 07-25-2017, 06:51 PM
SmithNWesson SmithNWesson is offline
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Great replays. I do not notice differences between FMJ and HP. When i do fire, i normally alternate FMJ and HP of similar weight so see if i can spot the difference.

Moral of the story. Buy more ammo.
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Old 07-25-2017, 09:18 PM
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38SPL HV 38SPL HV is offline
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Suggest you get into reloading. Start small...Lee Hand Press and their dies. Roll your own. I used to finish off my shooting sessions with two cylinders worth of jacketed bullets. In your case, a full magazine.

Have fun.
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Old 07-25-2017, 09:23 PM
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Only enough to stay proficient. Even relaoding, HPs are expensive and I can make a similar load with less expensive FMJs or even coated SWCs.
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Old 07-25-2017, 09:43 PM
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I shoot my old carry ammo that I swap out once a year and once in a Blue after that. Most of what I shoot are my own lead re-loads.
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Old 08-12-2017, 09:02 AM
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I shoot both, .45ACP FMCHP & FMCRN at the range. I prefer the HP due to the clean holes it leaves! I order my ammo on line and I can get either, HP or RN for the same price. (approximately $.30 a rd.) I generally order more HP's then RN!

45 ACP Ammo - 45 ACP Bulk Ammo | Freedom Munitions
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Old 08-12-2017, 09:09 AM
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I order HP bullets for reloading all the time. Currently looking at Montana Gold, among a few others, to stock up with. I can reload them to the standard or +P loading and then practice for about $.015/round, not $1.
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Old 08-12-2017, 11:15 AM
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Since I carry revolvers, there really isn't a need for me to shoot HP carry ammo in order to "make sure they function" in my gun.

Therefore, I really don't shoot HP at all during range sessions. That is just money down the drain, even if they are a cheap bullet house's version.

The only time I shoot HP at the range is to clock my SD reloads through the chrono, which doesn't take many. After that, it's all plated or HT lead wadcutters sent down the range.

It probably comes down to personal preference above all else, but for me, shooting HPs at the range is wasting money.

Last edited by iPac; 08-12-2017 at 11:16 AM.
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