Bullet type for practice rounds

[bigmyk2k]

So, for pistols and for rifles, I have an opinion question.

Pistols: I know there are 1500 different variations, but for the sake of simplicity, let's focus on FMJ v. JHP. Certainly the former is less expensive. I also know a lot of people that practice with the latter. I can't find any discernible difference in performance when punching holes in paper. Am I missing something?

Rifles: Basically the same question, along with, are there particular brands that are extremely good value for practice (consistent quality, low price)?

[Teufelhund]

I can't think of any good reason to punch holes in paper with anything but the cheapest rounds you can get your hands on. Make sure the better (more effective) stuff functions properly in your weapons and then keep plenty of it on hand for when you need it. For rifles, I practice with the same stuff I stockpile because it is both the most effective and the cheapest.

[NightCat]

Cheapest shit you can find without causing damage to your weapon or excessive malfunctions.

I personally dont shoot steel case..so the cheapest brass I can find that meets the above characteristics

[IShouldDoThisAllTheTime]

Cheapest shit you can find without causing damage to your weapon or excessive malfunctions.

+1

There's even an argument out there that cheaper ammo provides a better training experience; with the increased failures you get to practice clearance drills more often. I guess this has merit as long as those failures aren't squibs or detonations.

PMC Bronze, Remington UMC, Federal AE, and Winchester White Box are all reasonably priced, reasonably reliable, reasonably consistent, and very easy to find. I consider these interchangeable. Magtech gives me more failures than these, but is generally okay. I won't buy A-MERC again.

Freedom Munitions is a commercial reloader that has a good reputation and is really cheap, I picked up a half case of their 9mm this summer but haven't fired any yet.

Military Surplus can be a good bargain, but not always. Know whether it uses a corrosive primer and clean accordingly. Check for corroded or damaged rounds. Don't count on it being all that accurate.

Aluminum- and steel-cased ammo tends to be pretty cheap, but the wisdom of shooting it, particularly in non-commie weapons, is pretty hotly debated. Google it, try it, make your own decision!

You'll generally get better deals ordering bulk online than buying small amounts retail, but there are exceptions. For big box stores, Murdoch's and JAX have much better prices than Sportsman's Warehouse or Dick's, and they don't get cleared out as fast.

[muddywings]

+1

There's even an argument out there that cheaper ammo provides a better training experience; with the increased failures you get to practice clearance drills more often. I guess this has merit as long as those failures aren't squibs or detonations.

PMC Bronze, Remington UMC, Federal AE, and Winchester White Box are all reasonably priced, reasonably reliable, reasonably consistent, and very easy to find. I consider these interchangeable. Magtech gives me more failures than these, but is generally okay. I won't buy A-MERC again.

Freedom Munitions is a commercial reloader that has a good reputation and is really cheap, I picked up a half case of their 9mm this summer but haven't fired any yet.

Military Surplus can be a good bargain, but not always. Know whether it uses a corrosive primer and clean accordingly. Check for corroded or damaged rounds. Don't count on it being all that accurate.

Aluminum- and steel-cased ammo tends to be pretty cheap, but the wisdom of shooting it, particularly in non-commie weapons, is pretty hotly debated. Google it, try it, make your own decision!

You'll generally get better deals ordering bulk online than buying small amounts retail, but there are exceptions. For big box stores, Murdoch's and JAX have much better prices than Sportsman's Warehouse or Dick's, and they don't get cleared out as fast.

Was wondering if you have shot that Freedom Munitions stuff yet? Any opinions? I was looking to get some in .223 or 5.56 and see how it runs for practice rounds? I'm new to the game so more I can shoot the better. Cheaper the better too.

[hatidua]

$$$$$ = no
$ = yes

[sellersm]

Generally speaking, I believe the theory is to practice with rounds that duplicate the 'feel' of your defensive rounds: recoil, POA/POI, bullet weight, velocity, etc. If you take a look at the Speer Lawman ammo, for example, it's made to (supposedly) mimic all of the characteristics of the Speer Gold Dot Hollow Points, so you can practice with the cheaper, FMJ Lawman ammo, and get the same 'experience' as shooting with the GDHP.

As for rifle, I'm not familiar with a particular brand that does the similar idea as the Speer Lawman mentioned above, but it seems the same principle could apply.

Hope that made sense...

[Great-Kazoo]

So, for pistols and for rifles, I have an opinion question.

Pistols: I know there are 1500 different variations, but for the sake of simplicity, let's focus on FMJ v. JHP. Certainly the former is less expensive. I also know a lot of people that practice with the latter. I can't find any discernible difference in performance when punching holes in paper. Am I missing something?

Rifles: Basically the same question, along with, are there particular brands that are extremely good value for practice (consistent quality, low price)?

Probably because they are not shooting back at you.
I run moderate reloads for plinking. When i road test a new gun i duplicate, OR buy fmj that is close to PD rounds.
Better to practice with affordable fmj than not practice at all.

[TFOGGER]

For practice, I use FMJ rounds in the same bullet weight and velocity as my defensive ammo. Before I'll load up any defensive ammo to actually carry, I'll run a hundred rounds or so through my pistol to ensure both that it will function reliably AND that the POI hasn't changed significantly from my practice ammo.

[Bailey Guns]

Along with your "Semi or Revolver" thread:

Don't over-think this whole shooting thing. Properly learn the basics from a competent teacher. Properly practice the basics with ammunition that works in your gun.

Under most circumstances having the coolest gun with the latest high-tech, zombie-slaying ammo won't save you in a gunfight. Proper mindset and solid fundamentals will.