I have a question for the brain-trust in this forum. I'm trying out numerous self-defense ammo in the different pistols I carry most. As you all know, defensive ammo is VERY expensive, to the tune of $1.50+ per round.....

My question is: if I reload using a defensive bullet (ex. 110gr. JHP in .38Spec), and try to get near the published velocity (945 FPS, in this case), with an unspecified powder, would that be acceptable for practice?

I would think so, as long as the primer doesn't show signs of over-pressure.

I usually carry a 9mm, .38Spec, or .380 for personal defense.

Thanks for your thoughtful responses......

OTOH, I haven't seen a "Ammo & Ballistics" from Bob Forker since 2017....(A&B6").

I’ve done something similar, but I didn’t worry about ‘published velocity’. The baseline to use is the velocity in your particular gun.

My instance was factory 90 grain gold dot rounds, Speer. I took those factory rounds, and chronographed them in my P238. I don’t have the data here, but let’s use 875 fps. I had some 90 grain GD Speer bullets, then looked at powder charge weights using Win-231/HP-38 powder. I mostly used the Speer manual, referenced others.

I of course wanted to stay inside reputable powder charge weights. I loaded a few batches, yes, ended up near the higher end of the listed charge weights. My final product was only about 20-25 fps lower than the factory rounds. At that point, good, still in the listed charge weights, but yes, upper end.

One could do similar with most any round. Since factory ballistics can be optimistic, use speeds from shooting in your particular firearm. Another reason I used Win-231 powder is it’s often listed at a top choice with the 380. Yes, others would be suitable, but it makes sense to use a very compatible powder.

Thanks for the tips!!