handgun accuracy question

[delftshooter]

if your handgun puts two different loads into the same size group, with the same poi/poa variation, and the recoil feels the same, what one do you consider the better one?

The loads being 5.9 and 6.4 grains of red dot and a 240 swc. the green dot loads ive tried, are double the size groups..

So is this what most would consider an "almost dead on plinking load" and powder/bullet combination i should invest time with?

[Carrier]

Well not sure I understand your question. But if the red dot loads are doing what you want then I would go with the one that takes the least amount of powder.

[delftshooter]

im trying to get a "do it all load" that can plink and do deer work and bear work..

ive seen on here and else where i can go to 9 grains of red dot with this 240 wc. But right now this load is theoretically the same pressure level and velocity as the bullseye cowboy loads ive tried and my green dot loads but with half the grouping..

And they sound a lot less harsh then my other loads have, and with same ear muffs on, i dont have any ear pain after using them, and following up with a few cylindrs of wad cutters in my magnum, no ear pain at all. So the muzzle blast is much much different.

[lar45]

With a 240swc, I'm assuming a 44 something.
If I was looking at a deer/bear load... I'd probably start with 2400 for a powder and shoot for 1250-1350fps.

[contender1]

First off,, shooting without ear protection isn't a good idea. While you many not THINK you are causing damage,, you are,, even with lowly .22 RF ammo.

Trying to get a "do-all" round,, where you use it for plinking, and hunting,, especially if bear is a possibility,, then I would use that as my criteria for performance,, not "how it feels or sounds." A proper bullet,, moving at a pace that will cause complete penetration even if it runs into bone,, would be what to truly consider.

I know a lot of guys who are not handloaders or especially bullet casters,, who buy "whatever is on the shelf" and expect it to "do-all." Many times I've heard complaints of poor performance,, to the point that several of them think they need a "bigger gun!"

Match the ammo to the chore.

[charlie b]

...Match the ammo to the chore.

^^^This.

Bear is kinda on the tough side. But, if you expect to encounter one it would be best if you practiced with a bear load for a while.

Your description seems to indicate you have a decent target load. But, that load might not be adequate for bear (or maybe even deer), no matter how accurate it is.

[delftshooter]

^^^This.

Bear is kinda on the tough side. But, if you expect to encounter one it would be best if you practiced with a bear load for a while.

Your description seems to indicate you have a decent target load. But, that load might not be adequate for bear (or maybe even deer), no matter how accurate it is.

its not much slower then skeeters 10 grains of unique would be,, and ill be loading some of that tomorrow to try out for myself.

[contender1]

Often folks equate velocity as a measure of performance.

Bullet design and bullet placement is also part of the equation. I'm assuming you are discussing the .44 mag here. You've mentioned a 240 grn SWC bullet, and Skeeter's load of 10 grns of Unique.

A good bullet,, such as a quality SWC design,, and proper alloy, in 240 grns, traveling at 100-1200 fps in general should be good for bear. What not mentioned above is the different pressure curve or pressure spike as some describe it,, while the bullet is in the barrel. One powder may spike at a different point than others.

Lastly,, each gun is a simple machine,, that relies upon components, that need to balance to be it's best. What works in one gun, may be horrible in another gun.