Factory Ammunition VS Handloads

This video, presented by Jim Harmer, offers an expert-level analysis of factors impacting rifle accuracy, comparing factory ammunition to handloads. Harmer, demonstrating high authority, details how component selection, powder charge consistency, and precise bullet seating depth are critical for optimizing accuracy, especially with VLD bullets. The guide emphasizes that while handloading offers customization advantages, understanding rifle-specific preferences for factory loads is also key.

This guide details the process of testing reloaded .308 Winchester ammunition in semi-automatic rifles like the M14 and M1A. It covers setting up a chronograph, evaluating muzzle velocity and accuracy at various distances, and checking for pressure signs on fired brass. The testing also extends to a Century Arms CETME rifle to ensure cross-platform reliability. The speaker, an experienced reloader, emphasizes practical accuracy and safe reloading practices.

This video compares the terminal ballistics of the 450 Bushmaster and 30-06 Springfield using a ballistic chicken test. The 450 Bushmaster, with a heavier 250-grain bullet, demonstrated significant fragmentation and widespread tissue damage, with large pieces of the projectile and chicken found at considerable distances. The 30-06 Springfield, using a 180-grain bullet, showed good penetration and devastation, passing completely through the ballistic gel after the chicken, indicating a more focused wound channel.

This video explains the fundamental importance of using a chronograph, specifically the MagnetoSpeed V3, to accurately measure firearm and ammunition performance. It details how to quantify velocity data, including average velocity, extreme spread (ES), and standard deviation (SD), which are crucial for understanding vertical dispersion and refining ballistic solutions for handloads and factory ammunition.

This video explores the 'heavy for caliber' trend in rifle ammunition by comparing a 150-grain .30-06 Springfield bullet with a 208-grain Hornady ELD Match bullet at 100 yards. The experiment uses a Lab Radar to measure muzzle and 100-yard velocities, demonstrating that while the lighter bullet starts with more energy, the heavier, aerodynamically efficient bullet retains more energy at 100 yards. This suggests a potential ballistic advantage for heavier bullets even at shorter ranges.

This video compares the penetration capabilities of XM193 and M855 Green Tip 5.56 NATO ammunition fired from a 16.5-inch barrel. The test indicates that neither round fully penetrated a barrier, even when XM193 hit the same spot as a previous 30-06 round. The M855 Green Tip showed more visible impact damage.

This video provides a head-to-head accuracy test between the Ruger 10/22 and the Marlin Model 60, both chambered in .22 LR. The host, an experienced shooter, details the test methodology, including ammunition types and a consistent 25-yard range. The comparison highlights key features of each rifle, such as magazine capacity and aftermarket availability, concluding with a visual presentation of the shot groups.

This video details a comprehensive ballistics gel test for various .38 Special loads fired from a Smith & Wesson 642 snub-nose revolver. The expert instructor analyzes bullet expansion, penetration, and wound channels, offering critical insights into ammunition performance for self-defense. Key takeaways include the importance of bullet design for reliable expansion in short barrels and safety considerations for handloading .38 Special ammunition.

This guide details a head-to-head ballistic gel test comparing 9mm Luger +P and .40 S&W ammunition, as demonstrated by an experienced firearms reviewer. The test involved firing specific loads through denim barriers into gel blocks, measuring velocity and penetration, and analyzing recovered projectiles. The .40 S&W HST showed more dramatic expansion, while the 9mm +P achieved deeper penetration. The comparison highlights trade-offs between terminal performance, capacity, and recoil in compact firearms.

This video demonstrates the initial live fire of a .50 Beowulf AR-15 platform rifle, featuring a side-charging upper receiver and a Vortex red dot optic. The host, identified as a firearms enthusiast and content creator, showcases the loading process, firing, and the significant impact of the large caliber rounds on steel targets at an outdoor range. The demonstration highlights proficient firearm handling and range safety awareness.