Zeroing with target ammo?

[groundshark]

[sbo80]

most pistols don't have very adjustable sights. you should pattern your HD ammo to see how it shoots. And definitely function check it. With all mags you may use. Anytime I get new HD ammo I buy an extra box, and run at least two full mags through. I want to know it won't jam on a full mag, or an almost empty mag, or an after-a-reload mag, etc.

[JCHavasu]

As sbo80 said, practice with your range ammo but make sure to run at least a couple of magazines of self defense ammo to make sure it feeds properly. There is generally little to no substantive difference in where different ammo shoots at normal handgun ranges. And I say that largely because the nut holding the gun is almost always the weak link in accuracy.

[PachecoFTW]

What? Unless you run optics on a pistol then idk.

[Jeepergeo]

You need to know how your HD ammo performs. It's fine to get on target and do some fun shooting with range ammo, but consider ending the session with a half box HD ammo to verify POA and POI and get that muscle memory back on track. Use the last half box of HD rounds to load up and to have a few remaining for reference rounds.

Is this inexpensive? Hmmmm....no. Is it a good use of money? IMHO, Yes it is. Freedom isn't free.

[McTrigga]

You'll also want to limp wrist a few single hand shots to see if the loads still perform without jams.
Cheap range ammo is great for muscle memory drills, but always finish up with what you're betting your life on.
You're life ain't cheap, so neither should your attitude be towards ammo and practice.

[DRM6000]

Zero and practice some with the HD ammo. If, God forbid, you ever need to use it to defend a life, you want it to work good for you.

[GeeBee49]

I have never been concerned about "zeroing in" a HD weapon. In my opinion a HD altercation will happen at a short distance (10 to 15 feet) and I don't even want to be thinking about aiming. I believe that the "point and shoot" method is best at that distance and in that situation. Double tap center mass is what I would do.
Testing your chosen gun with your chosen ammo is a given whether you choose a revolver or semi-auto. With a revolver you need to know in advance what to expect as far as recoil and muzzle flip. It doesn't take that many rounds for that. With a semi-auto compatibility and reliability of gun, ammo and magazines should require a lot more rounds. Whether you keep one or two magazines for HD I would put at least fifty rounds through each magazine.

[enorbit3]

+1 on extra hd ammo for testing. Wanna make sure it runs in your gun.

[rodralig]

I zero my pistol for general training ammo. For most that I have tried (CCI Blazer Brass, Fiocchi and S&B) - they have been pretty consistent up to 25-yards. I get Dawson Precision since they offer the Perfect Impact Promise - I can replace my front sight with what is needed to match what zero I want.

I keep a record of those zeroes in my training log, ie., what brand, what distance, any deviations between POI and POA.

That said, once I have confirmed zero and are consistent with training ammo; I try out my selection of JHP. Amazingly, they are consistent POA/POI up to 15-yards, which is sufficient for the probable self-defense/home-defense scenarios. Albeit, I still try it out at 20- and 25-yards, as well, and make notes of the holdover.

Oh, yes - I have different magazines between range use and SD/HD use. My range use magazines get thrown/banged/etc. a lot...

Just me...


_

[XDJYo]

Get a few extra boxes of HD ammo. Run it thru all of your mags. Also, make sure they function with the +1 in the chamber and a full mag. If your range allows, practice double-taps and rapid fire. Strong and weak hand shooting.

Note: HD ammo will probably be hotter than range ammo.

I would also push the distance to see how it shoots at distance. Getting a feel for POA and POI is important.

[Pofoo]

Get some cheap fmj ammo that has the same bullet weight and velocity as your hp hd ammo for practice and to break in of the new pistol. This should shoot real close to the same point of aim.
Do shoot some of your hd ammo to make sure it works well.

[Snoopy47]

......I want to know it won't jam on a full mag, or an almost empty mag, or an after-a-reload mag, etc........

YEP!!!!!!!!!!!! This is probably more important than where you think the gun will shoot.

Not all ammo behaves the same way, not all guns are designed around a wide range of ammo.

As for ammo accuracy, just be very proficient with ANY ammo and in a HD situation you'll be more than accurate enough with "WORKING" gun/ammo combination.

[k1dude]

As others have mentioned, you need to test, test, and test some more. Not only for precision and accuracy, but for reliability.

Pretty much every brand and sku of ammo shoots different out of a particular gun. I have very few guns that shoot everything I put through it pretty similarly. Most of my guns show pretty dramatic differences in accuracy and precision depending on ammo.

I have a G26 that shoots most bulk brands of 115gr ball accurately at 10 yards. But if I use 124gr HST's in that gun, it throws them 2.5 inches high and right at 10 yards. That's a big difference that will screw you up on a headshot with a hostage. But with 124gr Gold Dots or Sabers, it's fine. So I use Gold Dot's in that particular G26.

I usually test pistols for accuracy and precision at 25 yards. Testing at 25 yards or even 50 yards (for full size competition pistols) really illustrates how accurate and precise any chosen ammo will shoot. The differences in groups are exacerbated at that distance. You'll be shocked at the differences in different ammo. You'll figure out real quick what ammo your pistol likes.

[groundshark]

As others have mentioned, you need to test, test, and test some more. Not only for precision and accuracy, but for reliability.

Pretty much every brand and sku of ammo shoots different out of a particular gun. I have very few guns that shoot everything I put through it pretty similarly. Most of my guns show pretty dramatic differences in accuracy and precision depending on ammo.

I have a G26 that shoots most bulk brands of 115gr ball accurately at 10 yards. But if I use 124gr HST's in that gun, it throws them 2.5 inches high and right at 10 yards. That's a big difference that will screw you up on a headshot with a hostage. But with 124gr Gold Dots or Sabers, it's fine. So I use Gold Dot's in that particular G26.

I usually test pistols for accuracy and precision at 25 yards. Testing at 25 yards or even 50 yards (for full size competition pistols) really illustrates how accurate and precise any chosen ammo will shoot. The differences in groups are exacerbated at that distance. You'll be shocked at the differences in different ammo. You'll figure out real quick what ammo your pistol likes.