At what ranges do you test fire your reloads. I usually shoot at 25yds for .38 special and .44 special. Does it make a difference? I mostly shoot cast bullets.
Reload Testing
- Thread starter delta-419
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I also shoot them at 100 yards to get a feel for how stable the load is. If it lands sideways at 100 yards, that's a sure sign the bullet is only marginally stable at shorter ranges. Marginal stability can cause mysterious erratic accuracy.
I switched to 124gr FMJ 9mm Precision Delta bullets for IDPA reloads earlier this year, and was happy to note they made nice little round holes in an IDPA target at 100 yd.
I switched to 124gr FMJ 9mm Precision Delta bullets for IDPA reloads earlier this year, and was happy to note they made nice little round holes in an IDPA target at 100 yd.
Vanilla Gorilla
Member
From 15 yards to 400 yards.
Smitty500Mag
Member
I don't want my loads to be right on target. I'm such a terrible shot that if I have rounds that shoot off center quiet a bit there's a good possibility I might hit something occasionally otherwise I'm not going to hit anything with accurate ammo. 
Smitty
Smitty
ChuckS1
US Veteran
I test at 25 yards off a bench, except when I'm testing out 50 yard load for bullseye. Always trying to find loads that shoot into 1-1.5 inches at 25 yards.
fredj338
Member
Depends, service pistol rounds, I am fine testing @ 15yds. For magnums w/ open sights, 25yds & magnums scoped 50yds. I've shot them all out to 100 & beyond though, but for accuracy testing, that works for me.
canoe on the yukon
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It all depends.Years ago,I did a lot of shooting at 300 yards and beyond with iron sighted handguns from various rest positions.It was fun but hardly relevant.
Today,I don't concern myself with much past 50 yards with an iron sighted handgun and do most practice at 25.For defense shooting,I believe in doing most practice at between 7 and 15 yards but this may not be quite what you're asking.
In general,ask yourself what you're actually trying to do.Things usually get pretty simple when viewed in such a basic way.If 25 yard target practice is what you're doing then 25 yards is a good range to test.
Dale53
Member
I do preliminary testing at 25 yards. If they do well at 25 yards, then I extend to 50 yards. If I am testing deer hunting loads in my .44 magnums (and the BIG BOOMERS) I finalize that at 100 yards. I would also check at 200 yards for academic reasons, not practical reasons) but I have lost my 200 yard range.
Dale53
Dale53
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