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Pistol Aerobics!

Hornady makes the HAP line of bullets too. It’s the XTP design without serrations on the hollow point for rapid expansion. Way cheaper price point but supposed to deliver the same accuracy. I might try some of them for volume shooting as long as they shoot the same.

Problem with lead cast bullets is that I can’t run them at the high pressures I normally use in my 10mm autos and 44 mag with the XTP. If the load with a lead bullet doesn’t shoot the same as what I will be using for bear defense in the woods then I see no reason to even try it. Much rather practice with what I will actually be using in a life or death situation
everybody has their unique situation- I wont be hunting with a pistol or anywhere I may get attacked by a wild critter. most of the pistol ammo i shoot is. at the range. Cast bullets are plenty good for this and i have at least 10K of them to use up. though its probably not a big consideration, i think jacketed bullets wear the bore more. that said for hot loads id usually go with jacketed
 
I just ordered some 9mm 115gr HAPs for my son and wife’s handguns. Think it was only about $70 for 500 bullets. Pretty awesome pricing for a jacketed hollow point.
 
Hornady makes the HAP line of bullets too. It’s the XTP design without serrations on the hollow point for rapid expansion. Way cheaper price point but supposed to deliver the same accuracy. I might try some of them for volume shooting as long as they shoot the same.

Problem with lead cast bullets is that I can’t run them at the high pressures I normally use in my 10mm autos and 44 mag with the XTP. If the load with a lead bullet doesn’t shoot the same as what I will be using for bear defense in the woods then I see no reason to even try it. Much rather practice with what I will actually be using in a life or death situation
I do have loads worked up in 44mag and 454 with xtps they are a awesome hunting bullet.
 
When people tell me they want to get started with handloading, I recommend .45 ACP. Cases are short and you can get a good powder choice that will exceed capacity with a double charge -- instantly warning that you screwed up. The relatively large mouth makes it easier to see inside to confirm the powder column No heavy-duty crimping is required with moderate load and 200gr bullets. The bullets are fat enough that they are easy to pick up. And there's a simple trick for improved accuracy if you are shooting .45 ACP in a revolver. (See if you guys can figure that out -- it has to do with the case mouth.)
Boss the simple trick with improving accuracy with the case mouth cost me sleep last nite, I'm stumped please give it up
 
Boss the simple trick with improving accuracy with the case mouth cost me sleep last nite, I'm stumped please give it up
You have to have “expanding dies” that expand the case down to about 3/4 the bullet bore-riding length and give a mouth flare that is just a bit bigger than the bullet diameter. The bullet should sit square and enter the case almost half the distance with moderate effort. Like in rifles, if they start in line it’s much easier to get them to shoot. The Lyman “M” die is close and the Dillon die is the opposite of what you want.
 
These were Bear Creek Swaged 45-185 HBSWC fired from a S&W 25-2 45 ACP revolver. Iron sights at 25 yards. They shoot reasonably well.

Bear Creek is where I was getting my 32's. 45's on order (200SWC's, as I'm used to loading them.) 38's will be ordered whenever they get around to swaging them.
 

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