Favorite Handgun Cartridges and Loads

Introduction

Here are some of my favorite handgun cartridges and loads. When possible I like to find both a factory load and a handload that shoots well in my particular gun. This gives me the freedom to shoot reloaded or factory loaded ammunition.

Some pistols shoot so well with factory loads that there is little incentive to work up special handloads. Other guns shoot so well with a particular handload that I seldom or never shoot factory loads. In some cases there is no equivalent factory load. One of the really nice things about reloading is the ability to develop reduced power practice loads that civilize even the most fearsome magnum cartridge.

I have listed the brand and type of bullet, powder, primer, case, and the approximate velocity for all reloads. All of the reloads listed below have proven to be safe in my various handguns, but they may not be in yours. Guns vary, so before attempting to duplicate any of these loads please consult the major reloading manuals. Start with beginning loads and work up slowly to heavier loads. If you are a shooter and a reloader, you must be a responsible adult, so I accept no responsibility for your actions. For further information about the factory loads, consult the manufacturer's catalogs.

Rimfire handguns can be even more sensitive than centerfire models to the ammunition they are fed. I urge serious hunters and shooters to experiment with all commonly available brands of rimfire ammunition before choosing a load for a .22 handgun. For small game hunting, the "high velocity" or "hyper velocity" Long Rifle loads with copper plated hollow point bullets are almost always the best choice.

The muzzle velocity (MV) figures for the factory loads listed below are taken from the manufacturer's ballistics tables. Velocities for handloads are based on averaged chronograph results measured 10 feet from the muzzle, or on the figures provided in the reloading manual used to develop the load. Individual handguns will ordinarily give different (sometimes surprisingly different) velocities from the same load, so the figures quoted should be viewed as approximate.

.22 Long Rifle

Practice load: CCI .22 LR "Mini-Mag" high velocity factory load with 40 grain copper-plated LRN bullet at MV of 1255 fps.

Practice load #2: Remington .22 LR "Golden Bullet" high velocity factory load with 40 grain copper-plated LRN bullet at MV of 1255 fps.

Hunting load: CCI .22 LR "Mini-Mag" high velocity factory load with 37 grain copper-plated HP bullet at MV of 1280 fps.

Hunting load #2: Winchester Super-X high velocity factory load with 37 grain copper-plated HP bullet at MV of 1280 fps.

.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire

All-purpose load: Winchester Super-X factory load with 40 grain JHP bullet at MV of 1910 fps.

.380 ACP

Practice load: Remington/UMC factory load with 95 grain FMJ bullet at MV of 955 fps.

Home defense load: Glaser Blue factory load with 70-grain pre-fragmented JRN bullet at MV of 1350 fps.

Personal defense load: Federal Premium factory load with 90 grain Hydra-Shok JHP bullet at MV of 1000 fps.

.38 Special

Practice load: Winchester/USA factory load with 130 grain FMJ bullet at MV of 800 fps.

Field load: Handload with 140 grain Speer JHP bullet, 4.8 grains Win. 231 powder, Win. WSP primer, Winchester case. Estimated MV 825 fps.

Home defense load: Glaser Blue factory load with 80 grain pre-fragmented JRN bullet at MV of 1500 fps.

Personal defense load: Federal Nyclad ("Chief's Special") factory load with 125 LHP bullet at MV of 830 fps.

9mm Luger (9x19)

Practice load: Remington/UMC factory load with 115 grain FMJ bullet at MV of 1135 fps.

Field load: Winchester/USA factory load with 115 grain JHP bullet at MV of 1225 fps.

Home defense load: Glaser Blue factory load with 80-grain pre-fragmented JRN bullet at MV of 1650 fps.

Personal defense load: Federal Classic factory load with 115 grain Hi-Shok JHP bullet at MV of 1160 fps.

.357 Magnum

Practice and field load: Handload with Speer 140 grain JHP bullet, 6.5 grains of Win. 231 powder, Win. WSP primer, Winchester case. Estimated MV 1000 fps.

Hunting load: Handload with Hornady 158 grain HP-XTP bullet, 15.0 grains of H110 powder, Win. WSPM primer, Winchester case. Estimated MV 1200 fps.

Home defense load: Winchester/USA factory load with 110 grain JHP bullet at MV of 1295 fps.

Personal defense load: Remington Premier factory load with 125 grain Golden Saber JHP bullet at MV of 1220 fps.

.44 Remington Magnum

Practice and field load: Handload with Speer 200 grain JHP bullet, 11.0 grains of HS6 powder, CCI 350 primer, Remington case. Estimated MV 1000 fps.

Hunting Load: Handload with Speer 225 grain JHP-SWC bullet, 23.5 grains of H110 powder, CCI 350 primer, Remington case. Estimated MV 1500 fps.

.45 Colt

Practice and Field load: Handload with Speer 200 grain JHP bullet, 11.0 grains of HS6 powder, CCI 350 primer, Federal brass. Estimated MV 945 fps.

Factory load: Federal Classic with 225 grain LHP-SWC bullet at MV of 900 fps.