TexasCHLforum.com

As a general statement, I recommend that my students use practice ammo that duplicates their self-defense ammo, to the extent reasonably possible. Using the same bullet weight and velocity is preferable as your practice sessions will match your "duty" ammo's performance in terms of POA/POI, felt recoil, muzzle flip, accurate follow-up shot capability. That said, you can never match practice ammo to "duty" ammo perfectly.

I load my own ammo and my practice/match (IDPA) ammo uses the same bullet weight (124 gr./230 gr) as my "duty" ammo. I also duplicate the velocity so the recoil and muzzle flip will be as close to my "duty" ammo as possible. I go so far as to buy Sierra Gold Dot bullets in 9mm and 45ACP (500 rd lots) so I can load practice ammo that is almost identical to my "duty" ammo. I shoot those rounds quite sparingly compared to my regular practice/match ammo, but it does give me some practice with the identical ammo at about 25% of the cost. ($0.26/rd v. $1.15 for 9mm Gold Dot; $0.33/rd v. $1.35/rd for 45ACP).

The bottom line is this. When practicing with the same caliber you carry for self-defense, try to match your practice ammo to your "duty" ammo to the extent you can. Obviously, this is much easier when you load your own ammo.

Chas.