Ammo Preferences for IDPA?
- Thread starter LOBONCA
- Start date
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I always shoot hand loads with cast lead so I can afford to shoot a bunch unless I'm going to a major match or indoors.
If you want load info let me know.
If you are buying, I have seen alot of bad Win White box lately.
I mostly shoot round guns but I do shoot the M&P 40 in both FS and C
If you want load info let me know.
If you are buying, I have seen alot of bad Win White box lately.
I mostly shoot round guns but I do shoot the M&P 40 in both FS and C
Use whatever is reliable and accurate in YOUR gun. Bullet performance as far as expansion and penetration are non factors. It needs to take over the steel and go through the cardboard and that is it.
Whether it is factory or your own reloads being totally reliable is paramount. Test it in YOUR guns so that YOU trust it to do its job.
Randy
PS. Your ammo also needs to make the power factor. as per IDPA rule book....
for your 9mm it needs to be 125,000
for you .40 it needs to be at 165,000
to determine this multiply bullet weight by velocity ie. if you are using 125 grain bullets in a 9mm the velocity needs to be over 1000 fps....on a .40 a 165 grain bullet needs to travel at a minimum of 1000 fps to make power factor.
Hope this helps
Whether it is factory or your own reloads being totally reliable is paramount. Test it in YOUR guns so that YOU trust it to do its job.
Randy
PS. Your ammo also needs to make the power factor. as per IDPA rule book....
for your 9mm it needs to be 125,000
for you .40 it needs to be at 165,000
to determine this multiply bullet weight by velocity ie. if you are using 125 grain bullets in a 9mm the velocity needs to be over 1000 fps....on a .40 a 165 grain bullet needs to travel at a minimum of 1000 fps to make power factor.
Hope this helps
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For IDPA the power factor for 40 S&W is the same as others, 125,000.
With 175 cast or 180 plated it is what my friends refer to as "Magnum primers only" or "Bunny fart loads."
The 2 divisions that are 165,000 PF are CDP and must be 45 ACP only, and ESR that is a moon clipped revolver, normally a 45 ACP but I have used a 10mm 610.
40 S&W brass can be used (shorter brass to eject out) but the pressures are high to get 165K. I loaded very long so it would lower pressures and then no chance of it getting mixed into a auto magizine.
With 175 cast or 180 plated it is what my friends refer to as "Magnum primers only" or "Bunny fart loads."
The 2 divisions that are 165,000 PF are CDP and must be 45 ACP only, and ESR that is a moon clipped revolver, normally a 45 ACP but I have used a 10mm 610.
40 S&W brass can be used (shorter brass to eject out) but the pressures are high to get 165K. I loaded very long so it would lower pressures and then no chance of it getting mixed into a auto magizine.
In 9mm, any commercial loading will make power. I use 124gr handloads.
In .40 S&W in IDPA, you are beating yourself up for no good reason with commercial ammo in that compact for competition. Handloads loaded down to lower speed are the ticket.
Of course, if the object is just practice with your .40 carry gun, then shoot whatever ammo you want. There's more than one reason to shoot IDPA, and that one's as good as any.
In .40 S&W in IDPA, you are beating yourself up for no good reason with commercial ammo in that compact for competition. Handloads loaded down to lower speed are the ticket.
Of course, if the object is just practice with your .40 carry gun, then shoot whatever ammo you want. There's more than one reason to shoot IDPA, and that one's as good as any.
I shoot 9mm and .45acp and use Wal-Mart WWB and Federal and haven't had any issues whatsoever. Both have proven reliable and plenty accurate in my guns (full size 1911s) for the distances we're shooting at. If I'm missing, it's not the ammo's fault!
This year with WWB I have seen 1 double charge, 2 squibs from the same box (both times 9mm) and my friend had a box of 38 SPL that had about 1 in 4 with the exact same burr on the rims that would tie up the gun.
So much for 6 fer sure.
So much for 6 fer sure.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
No doubt commercial ammo of the lower cost variety has really suffered in the QC department during the 24/7 ammo making crunch.
I shoot my own ammo which is way better than commercial for handguns. Seriously, I chrono the factory stuff and its variability is severe. Learn to make good ammo and you're good to go.
I shoot my own ammo which is way better than commercial for handguns. Seriously, I chrono the factory stuff and its variability is severe. Learn to make good ammo and you're good to go.
M1911-66
Member
lobonca, don't stress over power factor. Unless you go to a sanctioned match, they won't be checking your rounds with a chrono anyways. And, as said above, factory ammo in 9mm and .40 will make power factor. Just get whatever ammo is reliable and accurate in your guns.
If you start shooting a lot of IDPA, you'll probably get to the point where you want to reload to save money and tune your loads.
If you start shooting a lot of IDPA, you'll probably get to the point where you want to reload to save money and tune your loads.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
I hear ya.
Oh man, that's just plain a beautiful sight to see, especially that easy chair in your loading room.
The messy part is the other bench.
