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AR15.COM
11/5/2009 4:32:01 AM EDT
When testing new self defense loads for accuracy, at what range do you test at?

How many of you benchrest your pistol? Could you post pics of your benchrest?

What is the rule for acceptable accuracy when it comes to self-defense ammo/pistols?
11/5/2009 5:00:07 AM EDT
[#1]
I use a couple of magazines worth, minimum 30 rounds during IDPA, to "test" feeding mostly, accuracy is more dependent on the shooter not the gun.
11/5/2009 5:01:29 AM EDT
[#2]
I've never had an accuracy problem with a defensive load. They are tested for function.
11/5/2009 5:33:28 AM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
I've never had an accuracy problem with a defensive load. They are tested for function.


Yeah I don't test for accuracy.

You could use the crappiest ammo there is and it will still shoot more accurately than you will in a stressful defense situation.
11/5/2009 8:51:42 AM EDT
[#4]
Minor threadjack: Is the number of rounds needed to feel comfortable with a given SD round in a given gun purely a personal and subjective matter or is there some logical reasons for certain thresholds?
11/5/2009 9:03:59 AM EDT
[#5]
Subjective,its nice to know were the gun shoots with a specific load but I would doubt you would have to shoot 1k HSTs or golddots to make sure that they function,this is assuming the gun is otherwise reliable.
11/5/2009 7:37:57 PM EDT
[#6]
I test self defense loads at 7 yards.  I'm just looking for point of aim impact, rather than group size.  7 yds or less is where most handgun shootings occurr.  I'll normally run through a box or two of ammo, to make sure they function in the gun.
11/5/2009 7:42:08 PM EDT
[#7]
First, I test expansion by shooting into 3 2 liter jugs of water.  I'll do this with 10 rounds or so and see which one expands the best or the most reliably.  Fliers are discarded.  After one proves itself to be "worthy", I usually test fire 40 or so rounds of the SD stuff to prove function.

The water jug test probably isn't a really good simulation of the medium the bullets will encounter, but it at least makes me sleep better at night looking at the perfectly mushroomed SXTs on my computer desk.
11/5/2009 11:25:20 PM EDT
[#8]
I set my target 10 feet away.  I run at least a box of 50 through the firearm to check feeding issues.  A full mag out as fast as I can pull the trigger.  Then I just practice my point shooting and double taps.
11/6/2009 5:28:32 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Minor threadjack: Is the number of rounds needed to feel comfortable with a given SD round in a given gun purely a personal and subjective matter or is there some logical reasons for certain thresholds?


subjective.  just inspect the cartridges you carry for deformities like primer in backwards or otherwised FUBAR.
11/6/2009 9:37:35 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
I've never had an accuracy problem with a defensive load. They are tested for function.


+1.
11/6/2009 9:40:53 AM EDT
[#11]
i would test at whatever range you expect to use.

i test my ammo at approx 50 ft (?) since thats the distance of our indoor range and i do it at both bench and standing.  for me its a matter of seeing what the ammo is doing not trying to adjust sights.  the bench is just using a rest, nothing fancy.  of course off the bench will be more accurate, but again, its just for my info.

11/6/2009 9:59:45 PM EDT
[#12]
My tests are a bit more 'subjective' I tend to run 100 rounds of SD ammo through a dirty gun. My M&P got 300 rounds of aquila 115 (dirtiest ammo I could find) and then 100 rounds of Federal 147 JHP. The gun ate it all up no problem.

Some guys run 1k of range ammo and 500 of SD with no cleaning before calling it good, but the ones I've seen/heard say this tend to use the gun on a daily basis and need to trust their life to it functioning under poor conditions.
11/7/2009 7:41:38 AM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Minor threadjack: Is the number of rounds needed to feel comfortable with a given SD round in a given gun purely a personal and subjective matter or is there some logical reasons for certain thresholds?


For many it's a personal preference. However, there is a statistical, logical threshhold.

Let's say you fire 1000 rounds without fail and have a single failure with round 1001, then your gun has a less than .1% chance of failure.

If you have 10 failures in 1000, then it's a 1% chance of failure.

Basically, there is a probability associated with these tests. Hence why the military tests will state something like 10 failures in 20000 rounds or similar –– they want the probability of failure under some threshhold.
11/7/2009 9:57:19 AM EDT
[#14]
Test for function