SSG Greg Markowski, USAMU, at Camp Perry in Ohio. * The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, or USAMU, fields pistol teams in addition to rifle and shotgun competition squads. The USAMU’s Reloading Shop loads thousands of pistol rounds each year. The USAMU’s handgun specialists discuss reloading handguns in this article. They offer smart tips on how you can achieve superior accuracy and 100% reliability. This article offers valuable insights on COALs, primers, and crimps. This video shows.45 ACP Centerfire pistol competitors at Camp Perry
Precision Pistol reloading — Recommended Methods Optimize Taper Crimp
The amount of crimping and its effect on accuracy is often overlooked when handloading highly accurate pistol ammunition. To achieve the best accuracy, different amounts of taper-crimp are used for various handloads. The amount is determined by bullet weight, powder burning rate, charge and other factors. Our Shop will often change the crimp of a load by 0.001″ and retest it for accuracy. Use Consistent Brass
Brass is also crucial to accuracy in pistols. Even though accurate ammunition can be made using brass with mixed parentage, it is not the best way to achieve the best results, especially at 50 yards. It is important for the serious competitor/handloader to use brass of the same headstamp and ideally one lot number, to maximize uniformity. It is understandable that pistol competitors use a lot of ammunition, so it makes sense to use inexpensive surplus brass, especially at the “short-line” (25 yards) for practice. It is wise to purchase and segregate a large quantity of high-quality brass for use exclusively in slow-fire at 50 yards. The importance of uniform COAL
It is also crucial to achieve maximum accuracy that the Case Overall Length be uniform when it leaves the factory. Case lengths that are more uniform (best measured after sizing), contribute to a greater consistency in crimping, neck tension, ignition/burning of powder charge, etc. Cartridge case length consistency varies by manufacturer and lot. Some manufacturers are more consistent than others in this dimension. [Editor’s Note: It is simple to trim pistol brass into uniform length. This will help you to achieve more consistent taper crimps. Primer and Powders — Accuracy Test
Attention should be paid to the primer brands, types of powder and charges. A Ransom machine rest or other machine rest can be used to quickly evaluate accuracy at 50 yards. Bullet Selection — FMJ or JHP
Bullets are also a vital issue. First, we have the question of FMJ and JHP. A friend of the writer spent many years making and testing rifle and pistol ammunition during QC at a major bullet maker. According to his experience, it is much harder to make highly accurate FMJ bullets than highly accurate JHPs. This is due in part to the way jackets are formed. Even small die changes can have a dramatic effect on the accuracy of FMJ loads. The CMP now allows “safe, jacketed ammunition” in Excellence-in-Competition (EIC) Service Pistol matches, although wadcutter ammunition is prohibited. The option to use JHP designs that are very accurate simplifies the lives of CMP Service Pistol Shooters who are pursuing the prestigious Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge. These tips should be useful to all pistol shooters who are interested in accurate handloads and not just “Bullseye”. Small changes to your routine can have a big impact on accuracy, and make competitions and practice more enjoyable. Stay safe and have fun! Top Image: SSG Greg Markowski (a shooter/instructor for the USAMU) fires his pistol at the 2018 Civilian Marksmanship Program’s National Pistol Matches in Camp Perry, Ohio. Markowski won the General Mellon Trophy as well as the General Patton Trophy at that event. U.S. Army Photo by Maj. Michelle Lunato/released via Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
