favorite accurate factory ammo for IDPA or USPSA?
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Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
This might not be the kind of answer you're looking for, but most IDPA/IPSC competitors who still run factory ammo shoot whatever's cheapest!
IDPA certainly, and USPSA 99% of the time does not require -- and indeed, doesn't give you the time to capitalize on -- the slight differences in accuracy potential between one brand over another. As long as they are reliable in your gun and both hit pretty close to your point of aim, there isn't a compelling reason to buy Federal Gold Medal Pistol Match over Win White Box, accuracy wise. Most production handguns will shoot at least most types of factory ammo into a 4" group at 25 yds. (If the shooter is up to it.) That's plenty good enough to hit 6" A (or "Down 0") zones at IDPA/IPSC distances.
Anyone who blames their misses on poor ammo accuracy will get laughed off the range!
Most shooters still buying the factory stuff will have run some Rem, some Win White Box, some Federal, some PMC, and probably Blazer and Wolf, too. As long as they function reliably in your gun (which is far more important than the nth degree of accuracy) run whatever you can get your hands on for the least money.
Now, a smart competitor will have tested each load to make sure that it impacts pretty close to his point of aim with the gun he/she'll use. And each one may have picked a personal favorite which they'll usually buy if they can find it reasonably. But I don't think anyone can make a blanket statement that (Insert Commercial Ammo Brand Name Here) is not accurate enough for IDPA/IPSC, or that (Insert Other Brand Name Here) is the best.
But what do I know? The only factory ammo I've shot in competition this year were 72 rounds of mixed Blazer and Silver Bear 9mm that someone gave me. It worked just fine, too!
-Sam
IDPA certainly, and USPSA 99% of the time does not require -- and indeed, doesn't give you the time to capitalize on -- the slight differences in accuracy potential between one brand over another. As long as they are reliable in your gun and both hit pretty close to your point of aim, there isn't a compelling reason to buy Federal Gold Medal Pistol Match over Win White Box, accuracy wise. Most production handguns will shoot at least most types of factory ammo into a 4" group at 25 yds. (If the shooter is up to it.) That's plenty good enough to hit 6" A (or "Down 0") zones at IDPA/IPSC distances.
Anyone who blames their misses on poor ammo accuracy will get laughed off the range!
Most shooters still buying the factory stuff will have run some Rem, some Win White Box, some Federal, some PMC, and probably Blazer and Wolf, too. As long as they function reliably in your gun (which is far more important than the nth degree of accuracy) run whatever you can get your hands on for the least money.
Now, a smart competitor will have tested each load to make sure that it impacts pretty close to his point of aim with the gun he/she'll use. And each one may have picked a personal favorite which they'll usually buy if they can find it reasonably. But I don't think anyone can make a blanket statement that (Insert Commercial Ammo Brand Name Here) is not accurate enough for IDPA/IPSC, or that (Insert Other Brand Name Here) is the best.
But what do I know? The only factory ammo I've shot in competition this year were 72 rounds of mixed Blazer and Silver Bear 9mm that someone gave me. It worked just fine, too!
-Sam
ny32182
Member
The shooter is going to be far less accurate than the least accurate ammo you can find.
I ran WWB prior to going to handloads. Whatever is cheapest is best for this type of competition.
I ran WWB prior to going to handloads. Whatever is cheapest is best for this type of competition.
shooter1
Member
Agree with the previous posts! Any ammo that makes PF is accurate enough for IDPA/USPSA. Few shooters can shoot as well as the least accurate pistol ammo anyway. Don't sweat it, shoot what you can find.
str1
str1
When we started shooting IPSC in Ontario Canada, you had pass a shooting test (Black Badge Course) one of the class shot terrible, all over the target at 7 yards!
He was shooting some conical 90g reloads from a friend? I tried ten rounds, they were all over the target! He continued with borrowed Mil Spec Ammo, perfect! I now shoot 115g commercial reloads, great accuracy!
Any factory I shoot, all within an inch at seven (7) yards.
He was shooting some conical 90g reloads from a friend? I tried ten rounds, they were all over the target! He continued with borrowed Mil Spec Ammo, perfect! I now shoot 115g commercial reloads, great accuracy!
Any factory I shoot, all within an inch at seven (7) yards.
you gotta be dead on the poppers when shooting the factory 115 grain 9mm cartridges. A slow falling popper that activates another target (swinger, etc.) will cost you time waiting for the popper to fall...
That's why my son shoots 147 gr 9mm loaded to 138 PF, but that's a handload, so it is off topic...
That's why my son shoots 147 gr 9mm loaded to 138 PF, but that's a handload, so it is off topic...
rainbowbob
Member
This is a question I'm really struggling with. Not because of accuracy - but because of the power floor requirement.
I'm trying to find .38 spl ammo that meets that spec - without much luck.
I don't mean it's back-ordered and the shelves are bare - I mean most .38 spl factory ammo does not make power floor.
This seems to be in direct conflict with the stated goals and mission of IDPA (i.e., run what ya brung).
ny32182
Member
The point of IDPA is to shoot with real world carry gear, so from that point of view, they should require fairly hot ammo.
I thought the power floor was pretty low though. I've never really paid attention, since I've never been to a match that has been checked, and I am just getting into handloading pistol calibers. I have always just run whatever factory ammo I had that day.
Once I get a plinking handload I'm 100% satisfied with, I will check it to make sure it is within the rules.
I thought the power floor was pretty low though. I've never really paid attention, since I've never been to a match that has been checked, and I am just getting into handloading pistol calibers. I have always just run whatever factory ammo I had that day.
Once I get a plinking handload I'm 100% satisfied with, I will check it to make sure it is within the rules.
rainbowbob
Member
I agree - but the power floor rule should conform to the biggest standard factory loads available (e.g., 158 grain FMJ). It doesn't. Lowering the power floor from 125,000 to 115,000 would be a realistic reflection of what is being made. Actual availability in these times of shortages is another matter.
jmorris
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There are those that think IDPA is some sort of training and that’s just not the case. Page 1 of the rule book you will find the words “competition” and “sport”. That being the case the point is to win. If they wanted you to carry defensive ammunition they should have specified a part #. Every serious competitor I know reloads to make the goal of winning less work and/or the road to get there cost less.
FWIW there is a lot of factory 158gr 38 spl that won’t make the 125,000 PF for SSR and full house 357 is way on the other side so a reload fills the gap. My reloads may feel and sound like 115pf but chrono around 131pf. I prefer to leave a margin of safety for weather conditions because if you don’t make PF at the chronograph it’s a DQ.
ny32182
Member
There have to be competetive rules, and of course there will always be some room to game those rules. That is unavoidable of course. But it is called the International Defensive Pistol Association. It is all about the mindset of the shooter.
When I started shooting in IDPA, my entire reason for doing so was to get reps with my carry gear. And that is still 80% of my motivation. Recently I've started trying to get a little more mentally focused on winning the game aspect of it, but still use my exact carry setup of a compact pistol, IWB (minus the Gold Dots) at every match.
It is all about the mindset of the shooter.When I started shooting in IDPA, my entire reason for doing so was to get reps with my carry gear. And that is still 80% of my motivation. Recently I've started trying to get a little more mentally focused on winning the game aspect of it, but still use my exact carry setup of a compact pistol, IWB (minus the Gold Dots) at every match.
rainbowbob
Member
That - and learning to reload - may be inevitable.
But I'm stubbornly determined to compete with a .38 revolver for now.
Sunray
Member
"...most IDPA/IPSC competitors who still run factory ammo..." Or are factory sponsored pros. Everybody else reloads. Shooting factory ammo is too expensive.
"...conical 90g reloads..." Your guy was using .380 bullets. Tried some 90 gr RN's. Couldn't find any proper bullets for a Metro Pistol League match. Got the same shotgun pattern and a lot of displeased looks from my team members. 121 grain Truncated cone cast bullets work fine out of my Inglis.
"...conical 90g reloads..." Your guy was using .380 bullets. Tried some 90 gr RN's. Couldn't find any proper bullets for a Metro Pistol League match. Got the same shotgun pattern and a lot of displeased looks from my team members. 121 grain Truncated cone cast bullets work fine out of my Inglis.
GForceLizard
Member
This is from Rob Leatham's site, equipment vault. Factory: Winchester 230 gr. ball for 45ACP and Factory: Winchester 115 or 124 gr. FMJ for 9mm.
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