The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - How do I know if I am loading too powerfully?

Contender · February 23, 1999, 11:39 AM

Ed-When I first started as a handgun hunter, I too was hung up on the "velocity at all costs" bandwagon. But, soon found that other factors accounted for just as much or more than having to use a needle nose to pull the fired cases out of the cylinders.(jest)

Range,Shot Placement,Proper bullet design,Proper cartridge for the job at hand, were all factors.I've pretty much settled on cast bullets in the larger caliber handguns for hunting. They don't require high velocity to get the job done.

I believe Skeeter Skelton once wrote that a game animal can't tell the difference between a few hundred feet per second if the shot is well placed to begin with.

For target work,the mid-range loads are frequently more accurate and less fatiguing.

One of the best investments I ever made was a good chronograph.

Take Care

February 23, 1999, 11:39 AM	#13
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	Ed-When I first started as a handgun hunter, I too was hung up on the "velocity at all costs" bandwagon. But, soon found that other factors accounted for just as much or more than having to use a needle nose to pull the fired cases out of the cylinders.(jest) Range,Shot Placement,Proper bullet design,Proper cartridge for the job at hand, were all factors.I've pretty much settled on cast bullets in the larger caliber handguns for hunting. They don't require high velocity to get the job done. I believe Skeeter Skelton once wrote that a game animal can't tell the difference between a few hundred feet per second if the shot is well placed to begin with. For target work,the mid-range loads are frequently more accurate and less fatiguing. One of the best investments I ever made was a good chronograph. Take Care