Originally Posted by
JonInWA
The revolver power factor floors are interesting, and I suspect are linked with what seems to be the tendency of ammunition manufacturers to go with lighter loads on their factory chamberings. Or the rulemakers might have just caved to the mousefart lobby ensconced in the revo-centric shoot sport arena...
I like shooting cartridges analogous to my carry loads when I compete. With my Security Six, my IDPA/practice cartridge is Remington/UMC's 125 gr .38 Special +P, which has a MV of 945, ME of 248, and a power factor of 118; my carry load for the Security Six is Remington's 125 gr +P Golden Saber, which clocks in at about the same, or with slightly more oomph-at any rate, I can zero for both, and shoot either without having to make sight adjustments.
With my GP100 (and Blackhawk), my practice and competition cartridge is Sellier & Bellot's 158 gr .357 magnim, with a MV of 1,263, a ME of 560, and a power factor of 200; for carry, I use Federal Hydra-Shok 158 gr with a MV of 1240, a ME of 539, and a power factor of 196, again allowing for single zeroing for both cartridges.
Interestingly, the Sellier & Bellot stuff is one of the few decently loaded "standard" .357 magnum cartridges. I initially found it when searching for a factory cartridge for a revolver match requiring (well, challenging participants) to shoot revolvers with a 200 PF load. In one of my hunting revolver books, there was a guy in New Mexico who used factory 158 gr S&B to take a 350 lb bear, so in my mind, it's pretty credible stuff.
For deer hunting with my 4.6" barrel .357/9mm stainless New Model Blackhawk, I use Hornady's 158 gr XTP .357 magnum, with a MV of 1250, a ME of 548, and a power factor of 198.
Best, Jon