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Testing your handgun reloads

I through this out on other forums and alot responded . I got into shooting 1911's a few years back , I've been shooting benchrest 308 along time but in the winter started shooting hand gun . At 72 my shoulders are blown out , rotator cuffs makes it hard to shoot a handgun even two handed , made myself a pistol rest . Now instead of shooting a group the size of a softball it's the size of a quarter at 10 yards . When reloading I can see how well the reloads are shooting and how accurate the pistol really is . I like working with wood and it makes a nice project to build . How many shoot with rests and did you design your own . I now like shooting off a rest , some may say it's not real shooting but it makes it pain free & enjoyable for me . Now I'm a pistol benchrester too. Give it a try .
 
b64
May be 72 but think I'm 40 , time went by so fast . Always liked shooting and reloading 308 benchrest , handgun is a different ball game. Need alittle help with pistol shooting and the pistol rest makes it easier to shoot accurately . Now I'm a pistol benchrester also . Be Well .

Chris
 
I'm not 72 yet but close:cool:;)...I too have torn cuffs and enjoy shooting my pistols off of a rest on the bench.
I also use cowboy loads out of all my pistols ...9mm, 45 colt, 44mag...etc. it's very enjoying when there is way
less recoil and you can still hit what yer aiming at. When you can get some buddies to shoot with ya in some
informal shooting contests it's even more fun.:D:D
 
If it makes it comfortable to you and you enjoy it, more power to you!

I shoot my pistols free hand like I use them, but I don't have any physical problems that prevent me from doing so. I do shoot my contender from a store bought rest, but I hunt with a rest also.

Glad to see you banging it out at 72, at 56 I have gravitated more toward pistols myself as of late, there is an indoor range about a mile from the house, makes it too easy.
 
I like pistol shooting and I shoot a lot. Lucky enough to have my own range. I shoot so much that I cast my own bullets...my problem is getting good lead.
Glad to hear you are having fun, do not stop. Whatever you do do not stop.
I have always wanted to try my handguns out on a mechanical rest to take out the "human element" and see what they can really do, but I am too afraid of how bad it might make me look!!!
I'll probably come down with stage 8 cancer for saying this, but I am also lucky enough to not have any medical problems...I am 57 and still shoot a 70 pound stick bow. What kind of rest are you using????
 
At 70 I have the same problem including either being able to see the sights or the target but not both at the same time. I have used an inexpensive rifle rest to support my wrist rather then the pistol.

Bob
 
When I was younger in the military , sports or whatever l gave it 100% , there's always a way to stay in into the game . I do love benchrest rifle shooting , using a home made pistol makes handgun shooting more enjoyable for me with the rest . Nice to hit what your aiming at . Thanks guy's for chiming in . Be Safe .

Chris
 
Oups, posted before I wanted too. Must be old age. Anyway, I shoot off a rest to check my loads or adjust the sights, but just use my front rifle rest. I lay my wrist on it to steady my arm but still allow my wrist to flex with recoil.
rest.jpgI loaded some precision 9mm pistol rounds but haven't got to try them yet. Using my Hornady Autoloader I stay within 35-40 fps average. The last batch I loaded the powder to within .02 grain. I remember checking some .22LR Golden Bullets and there was a spread of about 120 fps. No wonder they shoot so bad. With a .22LR revolver at 10 yards (with junk ammo), my groups were about 1-1/2" to 2" and on the rest, under 3/4". 70 isn't far off so I'm not as steady as I used to be.
 
T shooter
I have that rest in the closet , was a pretty heavy rest , bought it for shooting benchrest 308 but now I shoot off a bit pod and rear bag setup . I just got the bug one day to build a rest for 1911 shooting , a fun project but it worked out very well for shooting accurately . You have to be able to hold steady shooting free hand , the rest showed me how really accurate a pistol can be . A fun to build and the pistol stays solid in position with no movement. I reload so I just picked a powder that worked with a 230 fmj bullet and started low , raised the charge until it worked the slide 100% and didn't go any higher , didn't realize it was that accurate also when shooting with the rest .Good all around . I guess I'll always shoot pistol from a rest for now on .

Chris
 
It's a hobby and its suppose to be fun. If you find enjoyment shooting from a rest then that's your game - it's real shooting for you.

I'm 72 also and I can't shoot heavy recoiling rifles any longer due to a spinal condition. I shoot mostly 223's and 243's and enjoy it very much - mostly off shooting sticks at 100 & 200 yards for practice for hunting varmint which I still able to do but for how long is anyone's guess.

I have shot pistol (revolvers 357 magnum) off a rest during load development. I use a sand bag resting my two hand hold on the bag to permit free recoil of the pistol. This does a fair job of simulating the two hand hold unsupported.

For the ultimate in load testing back in the day we used a Ranson Rest which eliminates all the human error. It's a good device to use for load testing.
 
K22
The rest I made does take out 99% of human error and at the same time gives me that hands on feeling , tried shooting off a bag just couldn't hold it as steady as I wanted . I enjoy shooting 308 benchrest the best . Be Well.

Chris
 

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