Personal Defense World
  • News
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Shotguns
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics/Lights
    • Safes
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • First-Time Shooters
    • Home & Self-Defense
  • Videos
    • Latest Videos
    • PDW Videos
    • Free Gun Friday
    • SCCY Brand Videos
    • Video Series
      • Everyday Carry
  • More
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Personal Defense World
  • News
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Shotguns
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics/Lights
    • Safes
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • First-Time Shooters
    • Home & Self-Defense
  • Videos
    • Latest Videos
    • PDW Videos
    • Free Gun Friday
    • SCCY Brand Videos
    • Video Series
      • Everyday Carry
  • More
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Personal Defense World
No Result
View All Result
 
FREE GUN FRIDAY > Enter to WIN the Ruger PC Charger & PC Carbine, Ammo from Black Hills and the Caldwell Portable Range Kit!

Velocity & Accuracy Testing For Handloads

Richard Mann by Richard Mann
January 14, 2016
in Ammo, Gear
0
velocity, accuracy, handload, handloads, handloading
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
The chronograph is an important tool for the handloader. In fact, I consider it be a must-have accessory. However, it is not the end-all, be-all answer to developing an accurate handload. Some folks believe that by using a chronograph they can determine which loads have the best accuracy potential. While it is true that ammunition with consistent velocities often shoot tight groups, one is not a definite indicator of the other.

Case Study

I tested a rifle with three loads assembled with the same brass, primer and powder to the same overall length. The only difference between the loads was that they were topped off with a different 100-grain bullet. Three groups—one 4-shot group and two 3-shot groups—were fired with each load, and group sizes were averaged. Every shot was fired over a chronograph to establish an average velocity, maximum velocity deviation and standard velocity deviation.

Downrange Dope

The most accurate load had the highest velocity as well as the largest velocity deviation and standard deviation. The load with the lowest velocity deviations—which were half that of the most accurate load—displayed almost identical accuracy. For all practical purposes, at 100 yards these loads were identical on paper.

Things change as the shooting distance increases. Given the velocities and the bullets I was using, at 500 yards a velocity variation of 108 fps will drastically increase group size. For example, a velocity reduction of 108 fps with the first load will result in an additional 11 inches of drop. However, with the first load, a velocity reduction of 57 fps will only induce about 6 inches of drop at distance.

Interestingly, the bullet used in the first load has a higher ballistic coefficient. As this test shows, when your shooting distances get long, you need truly consistent velocities to create small groups on target.

velocity, handloads, handloading
Note: “BC” is ballistic coefficient, “AVG” is average muzzle velocity for 10 shots, “MD” is maximum velocity deviation, “SD” is standard velocity deviation and “DROP” is additional drop with a maximum velocity variation.

RELATED STORIES

9 Chronographs To Help You Fine-Tune Your Handloads

The 10-Shot Rule For Determining Handload Accuracy

7 Reloading Accessories For Creating Accurate, Reliable Ammo

Do The Twist: Calculating Your Gun’s Actual Rifling Rate

High-Volume Handloading: Time-Saving Tips For Using a Progressive Press

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

Related Posts

American Eagle 30 Super Carry.

American Eagle 30 Super Carry Stacks up to 9mm With Better Capacity

Federal 30 Super Carry carries like a .380 and hits like a 9mm.

The New Federal 30 Super Carry Bridges the Gap Between .380 and 9mm!

G2 started out with its controversial R.I.P ammunition and has expanded to include a variety of purpose-built ammunition offerings.

With Claims of “Outrageous Effectiveness,” is G2 Ammunition for You?

Winchester Defender Close Range 12-gauge loads are optimized for the home defense mission.

Winchester Defender Close Range 12-Gauge Serves Up Good Medicine

Load More

PERSONAL DEFENSE WORLD VIDEOS

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

What Are Red Flag Laws?

What Are Red Flag Laws and Are They Ripe For Abuse?

Recently, the Senate passed the “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act,” which includes funding for red flag laws. Garnering the support of...

Read more

TRENDING

POF-USA, POF-USA Skirmish

POF-USA Releases The Skirmish, Ideal For Competition Use

...

11 of the Best 1911 Pistols for 2022.

11 Best 1911 Pistols [2022]

...

The SIG Sauer P365 X-Macro Comp.

SIG Sauer P365 X-Macro Comp Provides 17+1 Rounds of Fast Follow Up

...

The Savage Arms Stance, chambered in 9mm.

TESTED: Savage Stance Is a Solid Entry into the Concealed Carry Market

...

PICK A CATEGORY

CONCEALED CARRY SPOTLIGHT

Summer Concealed Carry Options.

Carry Concealed Comfortably This Summer

Winter weather provides quite a few benefits to gun owners. Big, heavy coats and shirts more easily hide the bulges...

CONCEALED CARRY SHOWCASE

Schools Throughout Madison County North Carolina Get AR-15s for Defense.

Madison County Schools in North Carolina Boost Security with AR-15s

The Pineworld K5 Gun Safe.

The Pineworld K5 Gun Safe with Biometric Entry Reviewed

The SIG Sauer P365 X-Macro Comp.

SIG Sauer P365 X-Macro Comp Provides 17+1 Rounds of Fast Follow Up

Mayors Against Illegal Guns Report for Duty to Target Firearm Industry.

Mayors Against Illegal Guns Conspire to Target Firearm Industry

The Oakley SI American Heritage Collection.

Oakley SI Honors Military Aircraft History with American Heritage Collection

Study Proves the Good Guy with a Gun Theory.

Good Guy with a Gun: Study of CCW Holders Stopping Mass Shootings

Escaping a Knife Attack, UF PRO

WATCH: How to Defend Yourself Against an Attack with a Knife

The Wilson Combat 45th Anniversary Special Edition CQB.

Wilson Combat Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary with a Special Edition CQB

site logo
Gun News, Gun Reviews, and Self Defense Tips
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
    • Sponsored
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics/Lights
    • Safes
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • View All Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • First-Time Shooters
    • Home & Self-Defense
  • Videos
    • PDW Videos
    • Free Gun Friday
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us

© 2022 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.