Q. How do I duplicate US Military ammunition when handloading? A. The following are the specifications for US Small Arms ammunition.

If you have a chronograph you simply load the correct weight bullet to the velocity specified. If you don't have a chronograph (shame on you!) some suggested loads using military brass and bullets are listed.
ALL LOADS USE MILITARY BRASS (except the 9 mm), AND MILITARY BULLETS (OR THEIR COMMERCIAL EQUIVALENT). REDUCE ALL LOADS BY 10% (EXCEPT THE LOAD MARK BY *) AND WORK UP
Military Ammunition Equivalents Bullet Weight Velocity Suggested load(s) (gr) f/s 130 95045 6.3 gr PowerPistol, 5.2 gr Unique or Universal 124 123050 6.4 gr Accurate #5, 8 gr BlueDot 230 82025 5.2 Bullseye 55 325040 26 gr. of H335, 26.5 gr TAC 62 77 149 173 175 168 152 173 110 302040 26 gr of TAC 275030 24.5 gr TAC 275020 42.5 IMR4895, 46 grs. 748 or Ball C2 255030 43 grs. of RL15 or 748 258030 42.5 grs. of Varget, 255030 41.5 IMR4895 274030 48 grs. IMR4895 264030 46 grs. of RL15 190030 14 gr 2400 or 14 gr H-110*

Cartridge M41 .38 M882 9 mm M1911 .45ACP M193 5.56 mm M855 5.56 mm [for 5.56 NATO chambers ONLY] MK262 5.56 mm [for 5.56 NATO chambers ONLY] M80 7.62 mm M118 7.62 mm Special Ball M118 7.62 mm Special Ball LR (Sierra MK bullet) M852 7.62 mm MATCH (Sierra MK bullet) M2 Cal .30 M72 Cal .30 MATCH M1 Cal .30 carbine

* Do not reduce H110 more than 3% One supplier of US surplus components is http://www.gibrass.com

Q. What is a vented test barrel? A. Originally ammunition for revolvers was pressure and velocity tested in a solid test barrel just like rifle ammunition
but using an 8 7/8" (the longest "common" pistol barrel length) barrel. This method of testing led to results that showed abnormally high velocities, quite beyond what was usually achievable in an actual revolver with its typical .006" - .008" cylinder gap. In an attempt to generate more realistic velocity date a vented test barrel is now used for revolver ammunition. The gap is set to .004" and the barrel length is set to a commonly used length for the caliber under test. While the .004" gap is a bit unrealistic the results are closer to the real world than with a solid barrel. Typical differences are shown in the table.

Vented test barrel

Test Barrel Differences 4" Vented 8.875" Solid 4" Revolver test barrel test barrel 158 gr LSWC +P .38Spl 882 f/s 919 f/s 1042 f/s 158 gr JHP .357 1191 f/s 1257 f/s 1453 f/s

Q. What does group placement on a target tell the shooter? A. The charts below explain the meanings of group placement. The descriptions given are for right handed shooters. For left handed shooters flip the drawings left to right.
Rifle Target Problems

Finger too deep on trigger. Not pulling the trigger straight back.

Canting the rifle or not having front sight vertical in the same place shot to shot.

Bucking the rifle. Pushing forward of the shoulder in anticipation of recoil.

Helping or "heeling" the rifle by pushing forward slightly with the heel of the firing hand.

Focusing on the target and not the front sight.

Lose sling or support elbow sliding.

Erratic breathing technique or changing eye relief.

Tight group anywhere off the point of aim mean the shooter is making same error consistently or being out of natural position and muscling the rifle into the bullseye.

Not following through or anticipating the shot and/or recoil.

Jerking the trigger.

Pistol Target Problems

Finger too deep on trigger.

Riding the recoil. (starting the "recoil" before the pistol fires).

Breaking the wrist in anticipation Helping or "heeling" the pistol by of recoil or relaxing grip at the pushing forward slightly with the moment of firing. heel of the firing hand.

Thumbing. Pressing the side of the pistol with the thumb at the instant of firing.

Tightening grip as the pistol is fired.

Jerking the trigger.

Focusing on target rather than front sight, inconsistent grip.

Q. Why does the caliber designation of many cartridges differ from the actual bullet diameter? A. The difference comes from the fact that there are two diameters of interest in a barrel. There is the bore diameter which is measured from the tops of the lands and there is groove diameter which is measures between the deepest part of the grooves. Depending on the manufacturer's preference the cartridge may be named from either of these dimensions. In some cases like the .460 Weatherby, which actually used .458" diameter bullets, the manufacturer my round up the number for advertising purposes. The actual bullet dimension is based upon the groove measurement.
In some cartridges (like the ".38 SPL") the designation may refer to an older design of the cartridge. The common .38 Spl has a bore diameter of .346 and a groove diameter of .357. It's designation is based on the original .38 cartridge, the .38 Long Colt (Navy) which used an oversized outside lubricated bullet of about .378" diameter and a slightly larger bore than current cartridges. And you wonder why the confusion?

The table below gives some common dimensions.

Cartridge .223 Rem Bore Diameter (in) .219 Bore Diameter (mm) 5.56 Groove (Bullet) Groove (Bullet) Diameter Diameter (in) (mm) .224 5.68

.243 Win .264 Win .270 Win 7 mm Mag ".30 Caliber" .32 Win .338 Wim 9 mm .38SPL/.357 Mag .40 / 10 mm .41 Mag .44 Magnum .45 Colt .45 ACP

.237 .255 .270 .277 .300 .315 .330 .346 .346 .390 .399 .417 .442 .442

6.01 6.70 6.85 7.03 7.62 8.00 8.38 8.78 8.78 9.90 10.13 10.59 11.22 11.22

.243 .264 .277 .284 .308 .320 .338 .355 .357 .400 .409 .429 - .431* .450 - .454** .450

6.17 6.70 7.03 7.21 7.82 8.12 8.58 9.01 9.06 10.16 10.38 10.90 - 10.94 11.43 - 11.53 11.43

* Current SAAMI is .429" ** Current SAAMI is .450"

Q. Is there issued US military shotgun ammunition? A. For the most part commercially produced and procured shotgun ammunition is issued. There are, however, some
type classified rounds issued. The table below lists the one's I am aware of along with the commercial rounds currently listed in the system.
Designation M19 M162 M257 M274 M1012 (AA31) M1013 AA29 AA30 M1030 MK246 Mod 0 (A024) M35 A023 AO14 AO17 All brass case 00 buckshot Brass and plastic hi-base 00 buckshot Brass and plastic hi-base #4 buckshot Brass and plastic hi-base #4 shot Finned "less lethal" rubber slug. Clear plastic case marked "Rubber Fin Stabilized Non Lethal." 18 pellets "less lethal" rubber buck shot Clear plastic case Beanbag round. Clear plastic case marked "Beanbag-Non Lethal" Launcher cartridge. Clear plastic case marked "Launching cartridge." Breaching round. 1.4 oz sintered steel projectile. Brass hi-base clear plastic case Breaching round. Red all plastic cartridge .410 21/2 inch commercial loading #6 shot Brass and plastic hi-base commercial 1 oz Slug Brass and plastic low base commercial 71/2 shot Brass and plastic low base commercial 9 shot Dummy. Clear plastic case with blackened hi-base metal. Marked "Dummy." 10 gauge commercial blank Identification