I have seen the light!

[little_twin]

Went to the range this morning for a few hours. I had 250 UMC rounds I had purchased from big 5, and 50 rounds I hand loaded yesterday.

My loads consisted of 147 g Hornady XTP bullets, 3.7 g Unique, and an OAL of 1.145

I Used matching brass, that I weighed out to get brass with equal weights and length. I also weighed each powder charge.

I was shooting my G34, and started off shooting 20 rds of the factory ammo at 15 yards. My groups were not bad, about 2.25". I then shot a 5 rd group at a new target, at 15 yards, and the first shot hit dead center in the bulls eye. I had to do a double take, then thought to myself "just luck". I shot two more, and at first thought I had missed the target. Then I realized that the other two were also in the bulls eye and that the original hole had elongated horizontally about 3/4" total. My final two shots brought the group to a hair over 1". Needless to say I was amazed.

I was also quite amazed at how precisely I could place a quick follow up shot. A quick double tap would result in two holes touching with the reloads, where with the factory ammo i'd have two holes about 1/2" apart.

Through out the time I spent there I had the same results when switching from my reloads to the factory ammo.

I am very new to reloading, and got in to it so I could shoot more. Now I have another reason to reload.

I also must say that without this site, I would have never gotten into reloading in the first place. This site has been a wealth of knowledge!

[Fjold]

Your quality control is a lot better than the factory's is.

[jonzer77]

I was amazed at what happened when I went from factory 45 to my own hand loads.

[Revoman]

You have fallen into the black hole of reloading, there is no way out....

You will become a range brass whore and never let fired brass leave your peripheral vision. You will collect more than you will ever use in two lifetimes, yet keep picking it up....ya just can't leave it lay....

It's a 'barrel' of fun though!!

Nice shooting and welcome to the reloading side, it's a GREAT hobby!

[huckberry668]

Walk into the light. You're now elevated to another level.

A little tip for you. 9x19 is very 'case length' sensitive. you don't need to weigh each brass. just use the same headstamp. But you DO need to sort by case length. check your chamber depth with a dial caliper then choose brass with length +- .001" for your match load. Trim longer ones to length and use the short ones for 'plinking' only.

Example, my 1911 9x19 barrel has a chamber depth of .751" from edge of hood to the chamber mouth so I pick .750" brass for my match load. To save time, I sort by length first, load them, then sort by headstamp when I box them up. I box them headstamp side up.

For accurate powder charge, use a good powder measure with a pistol powder drum. Use a baffle in the powder hopper. Operate the handle with consistant strokes. the secret to keeping accuracy is maintaining the same powder level. My RCBS & Dillon powder measure like to be kept at at least 3/4 full. I drew a line on the hopper.

[little_twin]

Walk into the light. You're now elevated to another level.

A little tip for you. 9x19 is very 'case length' sensitive. you don't need to weigh each brass. just use the same headstamp. But you DO need to sort by case length. check your chamber depth with a dial caliper then choose brass with length +- .001" for your match load. Trim longer ones to length and use the short ones for 'plinking' only.

Example, my 1911 9x19 barrel has a chamber depth of .751" from edge of hood to the chamber mouth so I pick .750" brass for my match load. To save time, I sort by length first, load them, then sort by headstamp when I box them up. I box them headstamp side up.

For accurate powder charge, use a good powder measure with a pistol powder drum. Use a baffle in the powder hopper. Operate the handle with consistant strokes. the secret to keeping accuracy is maintaining the same powder level. My RCBS & Dillon powder measure like to be kept at at least 3/4 full. I drew a line on the hopper.

That is all excellent information. Thanks.

I'm getting ready to order more bullets and will definitely check chamber depth and match case length on the next batch.

[stand125]

next time you should post a picture of your target.

[little_twin]

Next time I will. Im still getting used to the Glock, and really did not expect to shoot it well at all. The Glock is only my second handgun. I picked up a Sig in May, and the G34 about 3 weeks ago. Next time I'll be better prepared and at least have my phone on me.

[MAC USMC]

Now you are in the club! I have been loading for quite a while and often get a big smile on my face due to the accuracy of my loads versus factory stuff.

For outstanding accuracy with my .45's I load 4.9 grains of Bullseye, large Winchester pistol primer, behind 230 grain Rainer bullets. My brass is all separated by brand and very clean. I shoot a HK .45C and a SA .45 Champion - both very accurate shooters with this load.

REMEMBER: DO NOT GET DISTRACTED WHEN RELOADING AMMO. DOUBLE CHECK YOUR WORK PERIODICALLY, INSPECT YOUR EQUIPMENT REGULARLY AND BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL YOU ARE USING THE CORRECT POWDER.