Introduction

Choosing the right handgun ammunition for shooting is an individual decision that depends on various factors. Each shooter must determine for himself which ammunition achieves the best results for his purposes and requirements. There is no generally valid patent recipe for the best handgun ammunition, as the requirements vary depending on the weapon, shooter and discipline.

Bullet shapes and their properties

The choice of bullet shape plays a decisive role in handgun ammunition. In target shooting in particular, precision and hit pattern are important.

Wadcutter bullets:

• These flat-headed bullets are specially designed for shooting at paper targets. Their shape makes it possible to punch cleanly outlined, circular holes in the targets, which makes it easier to evaluate hits.
• Wadcutters are inserted into the cartridge case in such a way that the bullet is flush with the case mouth. This reduces the volume for the propellant charge and therefore also the recoil, which increases precision.

Semi-wadcutter bullets:

• These bullets combine the shape of round, pointed or hollow-point bullets with the cylindrical edge of the wadcutter. As a result, they can also punch clean, circular holes in the target.
• Compared to pure wadcutters, semi-wadcutter bullets have fewer feeding problems in the magazines of semi-automatic weapons.

Round point, hollow point and truncated cone bullets:

• These bullet shapes are particularly suitable for pistol shooters. Reliable feeding from the magazine into the chamber is crucial for trouble-free firing.

Muzzle energy and caliber

The muzzle energy of handgun ammunition varies greatly depending on the caliber, loading and barrel length. Here are some examples of common calibers and their energy:

• .22 lfb (long rifle): This caliber, often used in sport shooting, produces energy in the double-digit joule range.
• 9 mm Para: Pistols of this caliber achieve a muzzle energy of 380 to over 700 joules.
• .357 Magnum: Revolvers with this caliber achieve energy values between 680 and 1200 joules.
• Extreme calibers: Calibers such as .454 Casull or .500 S&W can achieve muzzle energies of over 3000 joules.

Lead-free ammunition

In the wake of increasing environmental awareness and regulations on shooting ranges, lead-free ammunition is also gaining in importance in shooting sports. While lead-free rifle and shotgun ammunition is already widespread, lead-free handgun ammunition is still less common. Nevertheless, demand and availability are increasing, as shooting range operators and competition organizers are increasingly prescribing this type of ammunition.

Conclusion

Choosing the right handgun ammunition for shooting sports requires careful consideration of various factors, including the bullet shape, the caliber and the individual requirements of the shooter. Wadcutter and semi-wadcutter bullets offer accurate and easy to evaluate hit patterns for target shooters, while pistol shooters must pay attention to the reliability of the feed. Muzzle energy varies considerably depending on the caliber and load, which should also be taken into account when making a selection. With the increasing use of lead-free ammunition, the importance of environmentally friendly alternatives is also increasing, which has a lasting impact on shooting sports.

By carefully selecting the right ammunition, shooters can optimize their precision and performance while meeting the requirements of modern shooting sport rules.