Ideal Grain For Target Practice

tacstar · January 21, 2018, 02:40 AM

I was wondering if there is a preferred grain for practicing at the range with paper targets.

I'm interested in purchasing 45 .ACP in bulk. I've found remanufactured 180 grain bullets that are competively priced from one distributor & new 230 grain for a tad bit more.

Which round is better suited for this purpose?

Jim Watson · January 21, 2018, 12:28 PM

I like wheat, but my nutritional friend says oats are healthier.

Oh, you mean grains avoirdupois .

Only way to know is to get a few of each and SHOOT THE GUN. YOUR gun.

John Browning thought 200 gr was right.

I am generally suspicious of "remanufactured" ammo unless it is a major name brand, not Bubba's Basement Boolits.

**Spats McGee** · January 21, 2018, 01:00 PM

In my carry guns, I shoot the weight that I carry. When i carried a .45, that meant 230 gr., and now that I carry a 9mm, 124 grain.

Concur with Jim on remanufactured ammo. The remanufacturer has to be large enough that they can cover my losses (either directly or through insurance) if something goes wrong.

T. O'Heir · January 21, 2018, 01:20 PM

"...remanufactured..." Suggests reloaded ammo, not bullets. Bullets don't get remade.
Otherwise, the choice of bullet weight is entirely preferential. Unless you're practicing for CCW. You should always practice with the ammunition you intend using for CCW.
In any case, shooting jacketed bullets regularly gets expensive quickly. A nice cast 230 target load is a lot more fun and cheaper.
"...The remanufacturer has to be large enough..." That'd be covered by their liability insurance. Don't believe the assorted government bodies would allow a commercial reloader to operate without it.

sigshepardo · January 24, 2018, 11:10 PM

I recommend that before you buy bulk of anything that you sample a small portion of it first.

Buy 3 or 4 different kinds of ammo, accuracy test them, then buy your bulk.

Check your local store first.

As far as grain goes, I don't think the weight matters so much as the performance.

LilPewPew · April 5, 2018, 12:20 PM

There is not a "preferred" grain for tp. My advice is instead of bulk buy a couple boxes of 20rds for all the different bullets they have. Then try them all out and whichever is your favorite then buy that in bulk. So pretty much it's all personal preference.

rpenmanparker · April 5, 2018, 06:29 PM

For common pistol calibers target practice bullets don’t come in 20 rd boxes. Minimum of 50.

rpenmanparker · April 5, 2018, 06:30 PM

Freedom Munitions remanufactured ammo works great for me in 9mm.

Dufus · April 5, 2018, 08:13 PM

I prefer the 200s in the 45 ACP. Lead of course.

I have never shot anything but home packed cartridges in it, though

January 21, 2018, 02:40 AM	#1
tacstar Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Posts: 20	Ideal Grain For Target Practice I was wondering if there is a preferred grain for practicing at the range with paper targets. I'm interested in purchasing 45 .ACP in bulk. I've found remanufactured 180 grain bullets that are competively priced from one distributor & new 230 grain for a tad bit more. Which round is better suited for this purpose?

January 21, 2018, 01:00 PM	#3
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,768	In my carry guns, I shoot the weight that I carry. When i carried a .45, that meant 230 gr., and now that I carry a 9mm, 124 grain. Concur with Jim on remanufactured ammo. The remanufacturer has to be large enough that they can cover my losses (either directly or through insurance) if something goes wrong. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

January 21, 2018, 01:20 PM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,454	"...remanufactured..." Suggests reloaded ammo, not bullets. Bullets don't get remade. Otherwise, the choice of bullet weight is entirely preferential. Unless you're practicing for CCW. You should always practice with the ammunition you intend using for CCW. In any case, shooting jacketed bullets regularly gets expensive quickly. A nice cast 230 target load is a lot more fun and cheaper. "...The remanufacturer has to be large enough..." That'd be covered by their liability insurance. Don't believe the assorted government bodies would allow a commercial reloader to operate without it. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

January 24, 2018, 11:10 PM	#5
sigshepardo Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2011 Location: Indiana Posts: 150	I recommend that before you buy bulk of anything that you sample a small portion of it first. Buy 3 or 4 different kinds of ammo, accuracy test them, then buy your bulk. Check your local store first. As far as grain goes, I don't think the weight matters so much as the performance. Last edited by sigshepardo; January 24, 2018 at 11:17 PM.

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January 21, 2018, 12:28 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,128	I like wheat, but my nutritional friend says oats are healthier. Oh, you mean grains avoirdupois . Only way to know is to get a few of each and SHOOT THE GUN. YOUR gun. John Browning thought 200 gr was right. I am generally suspicious of "remanufactured" ammo unless it is a major name brand, not Bubba's Basement Boolits.

April 5, 2018, 12:20 PM	#6
LilPewPew Member Join Date: April 1, 2018 Posts: 42	There is not a "preferred" grain for tp. My advice is instead of bulk buy a couple boxes of 20rds for all the different bullets they have. Then try them all out and whichever is your favorite then buy that in bulk. So pretty much it's all personal preference.

April 5, 2018, 06:29 PM	#7
rpenmanparker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2018 Posts: 122	For common pistol calibers target practice bullets don’t come in 20 rd boxes. Minimum of 50.

April 5, 2018, 06:30 PM	#8
rpenmanparker Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2018 Posts: 122	Freedom Munitions remanufactured ammo works great for me in 9mm.

April 5, 2018, 08:13 PM	#9
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	I prefer the 200s in the 45 ACP. Lead of course. I have never shot anything but home packed cartridges in it, though