Training Ammo vs Defense Ammo

[HawkMan]

I've noticed that I shoot different ammo's differently. If I switch from one ammo to another it takes me a few shots to adjust to the new ammo.
At the moment my range ammo is 9mm 124 grain Winchester NATO and defensive ammo is 9mm 147 grain Winchester PDX1 Defender.

What's the best way for me to be ready to use defensive ammo? (e.g. Should my range and defense bullets be the same grain? Anything else?)

[ACfixer]

You'll get as many opinions as there are members, but mine is this... Yes, as you alluded to, use the same weight bullet in your training and SD ammo.

[808@515]

The best way? Same as fixer said above.

I cannot afford the ammo to train that way. So target ammo is good enough for me. When it comes to home defense trigger time is more important to me than being a inch or so off at 25 yards. Ymmv.

[JDMIS300]

In an ideal world of course it's best to train with your defense ammo, however for most of us that's just not feasible. I don't know about you but I usually end up paying around $0.50 a round for my normal defense ammo (HST's or Gold Dots). With my current salary that just isn't doable for me.

[FeuerFrei]

I've noticed that I shoot different ammo's differently. If I switch from one ammo to another it takes me a few shots to adjust to the new ammo.
At the moment my range ammo is 9mm 124 grain Winchester NATO and defensive ammo is 9mm 147 grain Winchester PDX1 Defender.

What's the best way for me to be ready to use defensive ammo? (e.g. Should my range and defense bullets be the same grain? Anything else?)

Some ammo of the same bullet weight will have differing POI.

So I suggest you test your ammo regardless of weight and establish a common POI load.

This works for me.

Sent using a long string and 2 Dixie cups

[micro911]

I just get ammo by cases. It may be expensive initially, but in the long run, it will be cheaper. For my 9 mm, I just shoot Winchester RA9T for both practice and carry. I don't have to think about switching the ammo.

[DrewN]

If shooting people on a regular basis isn't part of your job you are fretting over nothing. Shoot what you can afford. Hell, most USGI/NATO/Warsaw pistol ammo from the 80's or earlier will have a bigger POI shift lot to lot than what you're seeing.

[artb]

You'll get as many opinions as there are members, but mine is this... Yes, as you alluded to, use the same weight bullet in your training and SD ammo.

The best way? Same as fixer said above.
//SNIP//

That's what I do, and I hit my POA with both.

[Mayor McRifle]

If you don't already reload, start. Then chrono your defense ammo (for example, my 230 grain .45 HSTs average about 800 fps out of my P220 Carry). Come up with an inexpensive practice round that matches the weight, velocity, and recoil pulse of your defense ammo. Then train and practice to your heart's content. This alone is one of the best reasons to get into reloading.

[plumbum]

Also keep in mind some bulk ammo like Blazer aluminum and Winchester white box is a bit lighter in the powder department, and European brands tend to be warmer.

[Mopar Guy]

I was thinking of buying some of that NATO Winchester for range. Training ammo, have no choice, instructor buys it. It is Winchester 3 gun 9mm ammo. It always goes bang but is expensive. It seems to be good at marking for targets since the bullet is flat (seems like a wad cutter). I am thinking ball ammo is fine for target. Always like Winchester. Any reviews of NATO which is being pushed now would be useful feedback. True defensive ammo is really expensive. Then you are going to service grade. Don't waste your money. It is good to get a feel of the ammo, especially if +P, but not to train, at least not on my budget.

[HawkMan]

I was thinking of buying some of that NATO Winchester for range. Training ammo, have no choice, instructor buys it. It is Winchester 3 gun 9mm ammo. It always goes bang but is expensive. It seems to be good at marking for targets since the bullet is flat (seems like a wad cutter). I am thinking ball ammo is fine for target. Always like Winchester. Any reviews of NATO which is being pushed now would be useful feedback. True defensive ammo is really expensive. Then you are going to service grade. Don't waste your money. It is good to get a feel of the ammo, especially if +P, but not to train, at least not on my budget.

I really like the NATO ammo, I haven't had any issues with it.
I have had an M&P Shield for a while and I've primarily shot 115 grain Blazer brass.
I got the 124 grain Winchester NATO to try and I really liked shooting it from my CZ 75 SP-01.
I found that I was more accurate with the 115 grain Blazer in my Shield and the 124 grain Winchester NATO in my CZ.

[floogy]

Speer Lawman is loaded the same as their Gold Dot. Not sure if Winchester does the same, but I'd imagine they do for LE contracts. The Winchester "purple" ammo is just that, though not typically sold on the open market except for overruns.

I would check the website for the ammo specs and find out if there is a 147 grain FMJ that is very close in specs to the PDX1. If it's very close in MV to the PDX1, it's likely the same powder. Even if it's not, it's probably very similar.

124 gr NATO is higher pressure than regular ammo IIRC. Usually people's practice ammo has less recoil, though in your case, probably more.

[Pipe Smoker]

For my 9mm SIG X5, I shoot 115gr PMC Bronze for training, and 105gr Federal Guard Dog for business. Both have about the same PF (130), feel the same, and shoot to the same POI.

[Carcassonne]

Hornady has HAP bullets which are identical to their hollow-point XTP bullets except they do not expand the same. The HAP bullets are cheaper. You can reload your practice ammo with HAP bullets and load your defense ammo with XTP bullets.

I think SPEER makes practice ammo, called Lawman, that mimics their Gold Dot ammo.


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