March 21st 2022Precision Loading for Competition Pistols – Tips from USAMU
SSG Greg Markowski, USAMU at Camp Perry (Ohio). *The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, (USAMU), has pistol teams and rifle and shotgun competition squads. The USAMU’s Reloading Shop handles tens of thousands annually of pistol rounds. The USAMU’s handgun experts discuss reloading handguns. They offer smart tips and tricks on how to achieve superior accuracy while maintaining 100% reliability. This article provides important insight on COAL, primers and crimps.
Handloading high-accuracy pistol ammunition is a complex task. It is often overlooked that crimp can have an impact on accuracy. To achieve the best accuracy, different amounts of taper-crimp can be used with different handloads. The amount of taper crimp used with handloads depends on bullet weight, powder burning rate, and charge. Our Shop can vary the load’s crimp by as much as 0.001 degrees. Use Consistent Brass to ensure the highest accuracy.
For pistol accuracy, brass is also important. Although brass of mixed parentage can be loaded with accurate ammunition, it is not likely to produce 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 to use inexpensive, mixed surplus brass as practice ammunition, especially at 25 yards. It is wise to segregate a lot high-quality brass for slow-fire practice at 50 yards.
To achieve the best accuracy, it is important to have a uniform Case Overall Length (COAL), as it arrives from the factory. A uniform length of the case (best measured after sizing), will result in greater consistency in crimp, neck tension and ignition/burn of powder charges. The consistency of cartridge case lengths varies by lot and maker. This dimension is more consistent for some manufacturers than others. [Editor’s Note: It is simple to trim pistol brass to a uniform length. This will ensure that your taper crimps are consistent. ]Primers and powders — Comparison Test to Ensure Accuracy
Pay attention to powder types, primer brands, and charges. Pay attention to primer brands, powder types and charges.
Bullets are another important issue. First, we have to address the issue of FMJ vs. JHP. A friend of mine spent decades accuracy-testing pistol and rifle bullets during QC at a major bullet manufacturer. He found that making high-accurate FMJ bullets was more difficult than making high-accurate JHPs. This is due to the way the jackets were formed. The accuracy of FMJ lots could be affected by small die changes. The CMP now allows “safe, jacketed ammunition” in Excellence-in-Competition (EIC) Service Pistol matches, although wadcutter ammunition is prohibited. The CMP Service Pistol shooters can now use very precise JHP designs, which makes it easier to earn the prestigious Distinguished Pistol Shot badge. These tips are intended to be useful for all pistol shooters, not just Bullseye shooters, who are interested in accurate handloads. Making small adjustments to your routine can make competition and practice more enjoyable. Keep safe and keep shooting! Markowski won the General Mellon Trophy (General Patton Trophy), and the General Custer Trophy at that event. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Michelle Lunato/released via Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
Similar Posts:Tags: Ammunition, Crimp, Distinguished Pistol, Pistol, Progressive Press, Reloading, USAMU
