Ammo Question

[VegasGeorge]

I practice with my .45 shooting Winchester USA, 230gr FMJ ammo. When I carry, I load Winchester USA, 230gr JHP. I do shoot a few rounds of the JHP each time I go to the range, but I mostly use the FMJ due to the price difference.

I've noticed that I shoot better with the FMJ. I have slightly less control with the JHP. And, I notice the muzzle flip with the JHP is a little more pronounced. I checked the ballistics on the two rounds, and found that the JHP is a bit faster than the FMJ, so I assume that the FMJ round is a bit heavier than the JHP.

Is that slight difference in weight/velocity what's making the difference in my control? The velocity difference is only about 50 fps.

[Bill of Rights]

I could be off-base here, but it may be a difference in mind only. I'd think a way to check might be to have someone else load a mag or two for you. Top three rounds are all FMJ. After that, you have no idea what's in the mag. Might be all FMJ, all JHP, or a mix of both. Whoever loads the mag for you should be there to tell you afterward which were JHP and which were FMJ, and where you hit with each.

Of course, you also could have done this already, in which case, please ignore this post. 8)

Blessings,
M

[Genghis77]

BC for the FMJ-RN is .184
BC for the FMJ-FP is .168

That would be enough to show a 50 fps difference at 25 feet of so.

The greater concerns I would have rather than velocity would be pressure, combustion erosion and muzzle flash. On revolver ammo, I tend to seat my bullets longer than the recommended, closing the cylinder to barell gap. Result is increased accuracy.

Go to the 250 gr HP/XTP you will get a BC of .146
Velocity loss is slight and will make up the difference down range

Your 50 fps difference can also be caused by differences in brass. Even within the same box of factory, you might be suprised by the internal volume differences.

Nostalgic, sadly more hasn't been done for the .45 Long Colt on bullet selections.