Can type of ammuniation affect how you shoot?

Question

If I sight in with one type of ammuniation will I be off if i use a different kind? Also how do I know which type is the best?

Answer 1

In rifles you have to factor in bullet weight, type of bullet and what range you are shooting. There will be a bigger difference in rifle calibers than handgun calibers. Handguns are less effected by bullet type but bullet impact would be different from one weight to the next.

Answer 2

Assuming you're talking about real ammunition and haven't wandered in here by accident with a paintball question, then YES. Even the same ammunition from a different lot run requires that you re-zero. You may not consider it important in pistols if you keep the range down to a few feet, but any change in any component will make a difference. We who handload know that a change of primer can make a major difference in the pressure curve. Moving from one cannister to another of the exact same powder, or one box to another of the exact same bullet, can throw off a rifle load by a notable amount.
The way you know what's best is to try them. You can't shoot everything, of course, so you decide on what bullets will be appropriate for the game you're hunting and try a representative sample of those to see which your firearm likes best. Then, if there are two or three that it shoots well, you pick one and see how it works in the field.
When working up a hunting load for a new rifle, I'll typically try three or four bullets, at least that many powders, and about as many lengths of jump to the lands. That's one of the reasons handloading is so popular. We can fiddle with these things until we get a custom load that's best for the particular firearm.

Answer 3

yes and no. Obviously if you change to a lighter or heavier bullet, the point of impact will change. To some extent, changing from a full metal jacket to a hollow point bullet will also change the point of impact slightly. Likewise changing from a standard load to a +P or magnum loading will change it also.
If you shoot a remington factory bullet, (let's say in 38spcl just for example) that used a 124 grain full metal jacket bullet. Then you load and fire the exact same load but made by wichester, for all practical purposes, it should perform very close to the remington bullet. Now to throw a monkey wrench in the works: factory ammunition is pretty darn good anymore, however it isn't perfect. In mass production there is a slight varriance in how much powder is loaded to each cartridge. in general shooting, your not gonna notice the difference. but in serious shooting, you will. I load my hunting loads by hand, and put exactly the same measure of powder in each cartridge, again, by hand. Back when I was shooting in competition, I hand loaded 1000 rounds per week to shoot. Again, I used my own loads and was very careful with making sure it was exact.

Answer 4

Using 2 different types of ammunition shouldn't throw your accuracy off enough to concern you. If you are going to use this gun for self defense, I always advise my students to practice with the same ammunition they intend to use for protection. As far as what type of ammunition to use I would need to know what you want to use it for first. Personal protection ? Target shooting ? Both ? For personal protection the norm is to use expanding bullets (hollow points) that will expand when they hit something. Target shooting doesn't call for hollow points, just a regular jacketed bullet or lead wad-cutter style bullet (These are less expensive than hollow point bullets.) Hope this answers your questions. This is about all I can tell you with the limited information you gave. Good luck!

Answer 5

If you are asking about real ammo (like for deer rifles), then the bullet weight will affect point of impact more than the brand. You should find one brand you like and stick with it and the same bullet weight. Example: .25-06 115 grain Silvertip Winchester premium ammo.

Most modern ammo is good but ask for the premium hunting ammo like from Federal, Winchester, Remington, etc.

Good luck.

H

Answer 6

Yes it can.
Even the weapons manufacturers tell you to try several brands to see which your weapon performs best with.
The bullet weight can bee the same, but miner bullet design factors that affect bullet coefficient will change the point of impact.
Plus the fact that each manufacture loads to a different muzzle velocity, this too affect the bullet point of impact.



D58


Hunting with Rifle, Pistol, Muzzle loader and Bow for over 3 decades.
Reloading Rifle, Pistol and shotgun for over 3 decades.

Answer 7

General purpose shooting should present no problems; if you are trying to shoot 5 times through the same hole you have to have nothing but time on your hands for experimentation.

Answer 8

Hmmmm, I noticed that your Avatar name is "paintballer".

Is this a paint ball question or a firearms question?

Answer 9

that is what each ammo company wants you to think