To what degree are jacketed bullets more accurate than lead/Hi-Tek coated bullets? How far would you need to shoot to see a meaningful difference? Also, are you good enough to be able to show that repeatedly?

By meaningful I mean would it cost you a match. I highly doubt it would cost you your life at any distance that you wouldn’t be prosecuted for claiming self defense.

It's been a while since I shot competitively, but my lead reloads were substantially more accurate than any jacketed bullet I tried. 45ACP, 200gr lead SWC Hensley Gibbs 68 vs any factory FMJ or Hornady 230gr JHP handloaded.

It depends on the caliber, I'd guess. With my BHP it was the opposite, FMJ was more accurate by far than lead reloads. .38SPL lead was about the same as .357MAG JHP through the same gun in full-power loads.

It also depends on what kind of jacketed bullet. Jacketed hollow-point bullets tend to be more accurate (or precise) than FMJ. This is because the JHP bullet encloses the base, while FMJ is rolled over the edges. The irregularities in the base of the bullet as it leaves the muzzle can ever so slightly blow it off course. This slight divergence is less than most people have the skill to make use of.

newtoSig, how far do you think you had to shoot to see your jacketed loads not holding on a 3” circle (baseball)? And at that distance, what size group would you be getting with your accuracy loads?

Within what I consider “ normal” handgun ranges -50 yards and under- I would agree with newtosig some guns I have shot plain lead bullets ( not coated) better than jacketed, others did better with jacketed. Another factor that makes JHP more accurate is the center of gravity of the bullet is further back, and lends to more stable flight.
For only 2 handgun applications I can think of - handgun hunting and bullseye competition- is accuracy so critical that the bullet will make much difference. In service handguns it is a nice academic exercise but doesn’t really matter.
My two best shooting guns I ever owned ( centerfire anyway ) have been a beat up old cop model 10 that held 5” at 50 yards, and a colt Single action that will do 4” at 50 also. Both with cast lead bullets. Not as good with jacketed
These were hand held standing unsupported groups. Generally I have found lead works better in wheel guns, while most autos tend to do a hair better with jacketed.

Also depends on the sizing of lead bullets. Slugging the bore and going 1-2 thou over that for optimal accuracy.
Coated or jacketed bullets are usually “this is the size, deal with it and we hope it’s right for you”.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
To what degree are jacketed bullets more accurate than lead/Hi-Tek coated bullets? How far would you need to shoot to see a meaningful difference? Also, are you good enough to be able to show that repeatedly?

By meaningful I mean would it cost you a match. I highly doubt it would cost you your life at any distance that you wouldn’t be prosecuted for claiming self defense.

Off hand at 50 yds


Ransom Rest 10 shots by my gunsmith 50y 45acp bullseye 1911 Nosler 185 JHP

quote:

Originally posted by Hamden106:
Off hand at 50 yds

That's incredible. The skill level some of you have is just amazing.

At 50 yards the target would be a blur to me. I could hit a steel plate, but nothing like the precision you demonstrate at that distance.

quote:

Off hand at 50 yds

Hamden106 - 45 Auto Rim? Nice shooting.

There is not a very wide selection of real precision competitions with pistols. In most cases, for centerfire pistols, there is a combination of rapid fire and single shot series of 60 shots, at distances of 25m/yds or 50m/yds with a maximum score of 60 x 10 = 600 score points. Anyone who shoots an average of around 560 points is considered very good. Anything above 585 is world class. Ammunition therefore plays no role for the good average of marksmen. I have never seen anyone lose a match because of this.
From a technical point of view, lead bullets would be more ideal because they are more consistent in length and the axis of rotation would not be influenced by the jacket and its fit. However, I myself shoot 124gr FMJ with the P210 because the 10" is too fast for lead bullets and I have no way of adjusting the V0 so that the combination of lead and barrel twist harmonize.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
newtoSig, how far do you think you had to shoot to see your jacketed loads not holding on a 3” circle (baseball)? And at that distance, what size group would you be getting with your accuracy loads?

It was so long ago that I can't answer that. All I remember for certain is that the Hornady JHP's weren't very accurate in my Colt 1911 compared to the lead SWC's.

Before I spend money and time chasing good accuracy, I need to spend money getting my eyesight straightened out. The last time I was shooting my PPQ at perhaps 6-7 yards, all I saw was a blur with my prescription glasses or sunglasses. I had to resort to nonprescription safety glasses to see anything resembling a front sight.

My last glasses were bifocals. I bought those because I didn’t like the trifocals that I tried. Now I know I have to go back to the trifocals because I can’t see a darn thing between 12 inches and 3 or 4 feet.

I’m just trying to get a feel for what is possible between different types of rounds.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

Originally posted by Hamden106:
Off hand at 50 yds

That's incredible. The skill level some of you have is just amazing.

At 50 yards the target would be a blur to me. I could hit a steel plate, but nothing like the precision you demonstrate at that distance.

Agreed, that's very impressive!

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
Before I spend money and time chasing good accuracy, I need to spend money getting my eyesight straightened out.

I went to split prescriptions for shooting classes. My dominant (left) eye was set at the perfect focal distance for the front sight when pressed out. My right eye was set at infinity. It worked well and later in at one multi-day class I even forgot to swap with my normal progressive sunglasses when I drove out to get lunch. I didn’t notice until I got back and went to swap back to the shooting glasses. That worked out well with irons.

I’ve since switched to red dots and staying focused on the target. No requirement to do anything with the vision. I find this works better for me.

Edited to Add: Now that the iPad finally loaded the first picture. Dang that is impressive. Very impressive! I’d be framing that if it were my target.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

Originally posted by Hamden106:
Off hand at 50 yds

That's incredible. The skill level some of you have is just amazing.

At 50 yards the target would be a blur to me. I could hit a steel plate, but nothing like the precision you demonstrate at that distance.

When bullseye shooting with irons if the target is not blurry you are doing it wrong. Laser sharp sights in the middle of the fuzzy snowball is what is required