(Note to the readers—This post is tied to this thread
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...ead.php?t=7477
but I did not want to put it on that thread for fear someone would know even less than me and believe I was showing how to do things correctly)
I have decided to try my hand at shooting pistol competition of one form or another. So I looked up on the internet (which we know is populated extensively with intelligent people) some recommended loads that would make the power factor for a 9mm. It seemed like most everyone was using Titegroup and the cheapest bullets they could find in 124 grains and stuffing it in the cheapest assortment of brass they could scavenge. I loaded up some mixed brass with Titegroup and Speer 124 plinkers. Once the snow was supposedly gone from the back roads I headed to the range. I carried along some max load 115 Gold Cup HPs and some max load Lapua 123 RNs which I know have reasonable accuracy.
Having read some portions of the Army pistol marksmanship manual and looked at the picture of TS’s recommended grip, I decided to video my shooting style to see if it would provide me any insights to errors. One of the important things to know is that TS doesn’t shoot a glock!!! Right where he puts his weak side thumb is the Glock take down detent button. The first shot one notices that the detent button has sharp edges and the second shot one notices that they actually hurt and that shooting still again does not make it any less painful. Unfortunately, the Glock is recessed right there and the thumb really likes to slide up into that recess. I found that to be highly humorous. In the first video one will notice that on shot #7, I anticipate the shot and flinch. You will also notice I keep changing the weak side grip as I never get it the way that feels secure, and I am practicing for scuba diving as I never take a breath.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Microcys.../6/c1ErxdrhuWs
After a few videos of me, I move the camera to the target and began shooting different loads. Up first is the supposedly great IDPA load with the 124 Speer RN and Titegroup. Distance is exactly 20 yards and the tape is 1.5 inch painters tape. The bottom group was the same load. Both are shot freehand.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Microcys.../4/cupNECVSdBo
I am not happy with the groups from the 124 so I decide to shoot some 115s which I know produce decent accuracy and are what I keep in the mags when the pistol is at home.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Microcys.../3/xhdTDvWx-Jk
I decide to try the 115s with my hands rested on the bench to see what the difference in groups size is from unsupported
http://www.youtube.com/user/Microcys.../2/v3vQuA7OlcI
The load I keep in the gun for black bears when elk hunting is 123 gr lapuas at +P. So I decide to try it unsupported. It shoots so well that I believe it is just luck and shoot a second mag to see if it is repeatable. Morale of the story is you don’t want to be a bear and try to steal my elk. One bullet gets away from me when I do not relax the trigger very far and have started the squeeze before the sight picture is fully restored or vice versa.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Microcys.../1/Lu2tPyHNuLQ
Being as I am now having a good time and the gun is hitting what I am shooting at; I try the 123 Lapuas with my hands rested on the bench. Watch the left to right three shot pattern repeat itself. I wonder if I am resetting my grip every three rounds or just decide to come up for air.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Microcys.../0/ws_Y5afvgo4
So after spending a lot of time researching good IDPA loads I find that I already had a good load. Unfortunately the Lapua bullets are expensive IIRC.