[gunguy0829]

Hi, getting into re loading and I keep on hearing not to use re loads for self defense. Aside from legal issues where the DA could say it was pre meditated cause you made your own ammo ( case here in Colorado on that ) is it safe to use re loads or are they just not reliable?

[rcmodel]

I have reloaded for 50 years.

I consider my reloads to be more reliable then factory ammo.

Through the years, I have had factory ammo with no flash hole drilled in the case, primers seated upside down, case mouths torn and rolled over, and more then one misfire.

As for legal?
Well, if the shoot is legal to start with, I fail to see how using a reload would be any different then using a hammer you just put a new handle in, or your wifes old cast iron skillet you just shined up on the wire wheel grinder.

rc

[bds]

Here is a recent discussion thread that I believe has the most comprehensive and applicable discussion and information on reloading for self-defense - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=634817

If anyone is interested in reloading their own defensive rounds, I would highly recommend you read the entire thread as most of questions asked in the past were answered by the thread.

Essentially, reloading your own defensive loads is OK but you may have your entire reloading equipment/components confiscated by the police/sheriff department along with the pistol used in the shooting while they conduct the investigation and court hearing if applicable.

If you used factory JHP, you may just need to hand over the remainder of the factory ammunition and the pistol involved in the shooting.

The choice is yours ... I carry factory JHP in my SD/HD pistols. ;)

[ArchAngelCD]

I also trust my reloads over any factory ammo hands down. My ammo is the best ammo I can shoot.

As for all the legal stuff, I wouldn't begin to advise you on that. you have to make those decisions for yourself.

[gunguy0829]

Thanks bds, i also now relize i started another thread that has been discussed a lot, but you know, i like opinions.

[Otto]

I use factory +P Gold Dot ammo. Although I've been reloading for twenty years, I don't attempt to make +P or +P+ ammunition.

Standard pressure for 9mm is 35,000 PSI
+P pressure is 38,500 PSI
+P+ pressure is 42,000 PSI

[gamestalker]

One of the primary reasons I reload is because I trust my loads more than factory. 30 + years of loading my own and I have yet to experience a single mis-fire or other failure.

Regarding the self defense issue, I would contact an expert in such law. here is a link that shoudl answer most of your concerns in this respect.
www.armedpersonaldefense.com Mr. Douglas Little is an expert in this area of law, and will give you only facts.
GS

[Sam1911]

bds is right. If you want to understand all the permutations of the real legal arguments which sometimes get brought up or hinted at in this discussion, read this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=634817

[sniper762]

I dont recall any litigation concerns ever pertaining to reloads

[bds]

I dont recall any litigation concerns ever pertaining to reloads
Correct. As discussed in the thread link (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=634817), justified shooting is a justified shooting, regardless of the ammunition used. I support this notion.

However, if reloaded defensive rounds are involved in a shooting and there are circumstantial issues/concerns, while the investigation is conducted by the PD/SD and/or during court case, your ENTIRE reloading equipment/components (and I mean everything down to individual bullet and primer) may be held as evidence for weeks/months/years. Not to mention the legal fees that you may incur defending your case that may run into tens of thousands of dollars (even though you may ultimately win the case).

I certainly feel that my reloads are more accurate than many factory ammunition, but I am not willing to part with ALL of my reloading equipment/components for any length of time. Of course, if I was reloading 200 gr 45ACP lead SWC and I HAD to defend my/family's lives, I would not hesitate to use whatever ammunition I had close by, even the target SWC loads (yes, we do carry inside the house with factory ammunition).

So if $11 (http://www.sgammo.com/product/remington/25-rds-40-cal-remington-golden-saber-165gr-bjhp-ammo) - $12 (http://www.sgammo.com/product/remington/25-rds-9mm-p-remington-golden-saber-124gr-bjhp-ammo) spent on a box of premium factory JHP will prevent my reloading equipment/components from being held as evidence, I consider it money well spent.

[kingmt]

If I'm on trail I don't see me having time to reload any how. The expense of the trail & the lose of my gun would make the couple of thousand I have in reloading seem like nothing.

I've been wanting some other equipment. Might be a good time to buy a Load Master.

I actually carry some cheap Federal junk in my SD gun. It is rear to need to defend yourself. If you do it is going to only be feet away. It is rear to find a misfire. I would say the odds are in my favor.

[bds]

I actually carry some cheap Federal junk in my SD gun.
$11 for 25 rounds of Remington Golden Saber in 165 gr 40S&W (http://www.sgammo.com/product/remington/25-rds-40-cal-remington-golden-saber-165gr-bjhp-ammo) and $12 for +P 124 gr 9mm (http://www.sgammo.com/product/remington/25-rds-9mm-p-remington-golden-saber-124gr-bjhp-ammo) is an affordable convenience (I think that's almost the price of cheap factory target ammo :eek::D).

[tightgroup tiger]

I think some of you are missing a point. The factory "Personal Defence" loads that Hornady and all the other companies make for us are made with a low muzzle flash so we don't blind ourselves and no longer can protect ourselves, a lower report so we don't blow out our eardrums indoors, and premium bullets that will get the job done over what most of us use in our reloads for practice.

The powder that is available to us from retail doesn't take these things into consideration.

My 327 fed mag would with no doubt deften me beyond being able to protect myself if I fired it indoors because of being supersonic. My 9mm reloads would probably blind me because of the type of powder I use with it's halatious muzzle flash.
I do buy "personal defence loads" because of this reason and this reason alone.

I was also told in my self defence classes not to use my reloads for self defence because of the "mad sciencetist" scenario that could be used against me if I had to protect myself with my own loads. "I made them the way I did to specifically kill people".

I have no intention of killing anyone but this is just one more reason why I use factory defence loads.

[bds]

tightgroup tiger, yes your question/comment were discussed in great detail in the thread link (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=634817) along with many other practical/legal issues regarding the use of reloaded defensive ammo.

The factory "Personal Defence" loads that Hornady and all the other companies make for us are made with a low muzzle flash so we don't blind ourselves and no longer can protect ourselves, a lower report so we don't blow out our eardrums indoors, and premium bullets that will get the job done over what most of us use in our reloads for practice.

The powder that is available to us from retail doesn't take these things into consideration.
Hogwash!

I use the same bulk 40S&W 165 gr and 45ACP 185 gr Golden Saber JHP bullets to duplicate similar POA/POI practice rounds as factory JHP ammunition I carry using WSF and I am currently load testing AutoComp (which many claim is the same WSF but with flash suppressant). We have done night time range shooting with zero light and most of our loads produced minimal muzzle flash, certainly not enough to blind us. I guess if you are using PowerPistol, that would be an exception.

We haven't done decibel measurements of our loads, but without hearing protection, especially if shooting indoors/confined spaces, I don't think a nominal decrease in decibels will matter that much ... it will be loud no matter what. One time, I forgot to wear ear plugs during M60 full-auto fire exercise and I couldn't hear until the next day. :D

[ArchAngelCD]

I use factory +P Gold Dot ammo. Although I've been reloading for twenty years, I don't attempt to make +P or +P+ ammunition.

Standard pressure for 9mm is 35,000 PSI
+P pressure is 38,500 PSI
+P+ pressure is 42,000 PSI
Why won't you try to make +P ammo? I make .38 Special +P ammo all the time and there's really nothing different than standard ammo but for a little more powder. I do agree you shouldn't try making +P+ ammo because there are no SAAMI specs for that.

[R.W.Dale]

Generally speaking I don't carry nor condone carrying handloads. Not because of legal issues but rather that factory SD loads are so good.

I find myself not adhering to this policy in a couple instances.

First off is when I carry my 44special. Factory loads are way way too watered down. (675fps)

Second is when I'm out and about in the woods and I'm carrying a concealed revolver to double as anti 4 or 2 legged use.


I've got the aforementioned flashholeless case in the past. I choose to believe (unfounded most likely) that SD amma goes through a bit more qc

posted via mobile device.

[premier1]

I am an enforcement officer and I will say in my autos I carry strictly factory ammo, and I have been reloading for over 30 years.That includes 9mm,.45acp and 40 S&W.However one of my favorite is my Taurus 85S .38 special snub. There I carry my reloads. I guess my feelings are that in autos they are more prone to have a problem. In a revolver they always work and if you ever have a mis-fire you can just keep pulling the trigger.

[JRH6856]

Standard pressure for 9mm is 35,000 PSI
+P pressure is 38,500 PSI
+P+ pressure is 42,000 PSI

+P+ has no standardized pressure limit. It is just higher than +P and (hopefully) less than minimum proof at 52,000 PSI.

[cfullgraf]

In my opinion, it depends on the political aspirations of the district attorney assigned the case.

I go through periods of carrying factory ammunition and some handloads depending on which way the wind is blowing. I really hope I do not have to test the system.

[ColtPythonElite]

I have full faith in my handloads and carry them.

[Clark]

I am carrying +P+ 9mm right now. They are wimpy, but good enough.

For 380, for a long time my handloads were much more powerful than factory.
I have not tested them, but on paper, the Buffalobore +P 380 looks identical to my handloads; 1100 fps 90 gr JHP from a Kel-Tec P3AT or Ruger LCP.

Where I live there are 20,000 people, 30 cops, 3 on duty at a time. For crime, we have ~ 3 car prowls per week. But those car prowls are near the freeway. I am miles from there, where there is almost no crime.
So I carry a gun, but I will almost certainly never need one.
I just carry a gun because I like guns.

[kingmt]

Hogwash!


I agree.

When the time comes your senses change. If you have never been there there is no way you can understand what I could tell you. You can see in almost no light, noise will not be over bearing, & every second will seem more like a minuet.

My company buys Hornady Tap & I can tell you it will ring your ears outside. I have a extra 20 my boss gave me that I could get by carrying it sets on the shelf.

[gunguy0829]

Clark,

I to live in a small town, 7,000 people and i have already gotten shot at fishing with my wife and son, it was about 70 yards away so we hunkered down called 911, and they came out. They just distracted to perps while we left, Those guys are part of the "Brown Mofia" which is a Mexican derived mofia and nothing was done to them. I am not going to say the cops were scared or corupt, but with only a handful of cops I decided to start carrying all the time, I used to only carry in the wilderness to protect against critters. Weeks later a report came out and it said those guys were just shooting and had no idea I was there. That is bull cause I yelled at the one guy to stop and he just laughed. After that being fearful of retaliation my home defense picked up, wife got a gun and now I want to re load. I shoot at least once every two weeks.

[denton]

I think that the situation varies from state to state.

Here in Utah, I don't think the question of what kind of ammunition you were using would even come up. Dead home invader? Well, good job then. Hope the carpet isn't ruined. You're immune to prosecution and immune to law suits by the survivors or their heirs under state law.

In California, the type of ammo used will be questioned during the discovery phase of the lawsuit that inevitably follows. If you use handloads, you will be portrayed as some kind of wacky survivalist nut job that creates monster ammo designed to be extra destructive.

I can see the wisdom of avoiding being painted that way. But, then, I never carry in California.

[bds]

For those that did not get to read the other comprehensive discussion thread (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=634817), here's a quick summary.

Use of reloaded ammunition for justified defensive shooting is fine.

The problem is that once the police discover/realize that reloaded ammunition was involved in the shooting, your ENTIRE reloading equipment/components can and will be taken in for evidence for the duration of the investigation and/or court trial :eek::eek::eek: while police/experts may try to replicate the load used for the shooting to determine distance, etc.

This one factor alone made me decide not to use reloaded ammunition for SD/HD purposes. If factory ammunition was used, police would take the remainder of the ammunition and the factory box (if available and based on the discussion, I would HIGHLY recommend that you keep the factory box with the lot number handy for the police) along with the pistol for evidence.

I don't know about you, but I do not want the police going through all of my "delicate" reloading equipment and the entire reloading component stash. You know, I just don't want our dedicated public servants hurting their backs lifting those heavy bullet boxes ... ;)

As to those whining about the high price of factory premium JHP ammunition, family owned and operated SGAmmo has them at very reasonable prices - http://www.sgammo.com/catalog/pistol-ammunition

9mm Remington Golden Saber 124 gr +P JHP (http://www.sgammo.com/product/remington/25-rds-9mm-p-remington-golden-saber-124gr-bjhp-ammo) - $12/25

40S&W Remington Golden Saber 165 gr JHP (http://www.sgammo.com/product/remington/25-rds-40-cal-remington-golden-saber-165gr-bjhp-ammo) - $11/25

40S&W Reminton Golden Saber 180 gr JHP (http://www.sgammo.com/product/remington/25-rds-40-cal-remington-golden-saber-180gr-bjhp-ammo) - $14/25

45ACP Remington Golden Saber 185 gr +P JHP (http://www.sgammo.com/product/remington/25-rds-45-acp-p-185-grain-remington-golden-saber-bjhp-ammo-gs45apc) - $14/25

45ACP Remington Golden Saber 230 gr JHP (http://www.sgammo.com/product/remington/25-rd-box-45-acp-auto-remington-golden-saber-230-grain-bjhp-ammo-gs45apb) - $14/25

[kanook]

If I carry my own reloads, I'm a crazy gunnut.

If I carry the same ammo the cops carry does that make me a wanna be cop.

If I carry ammo that was made solely for "personal defense", couldn't that be taken as I was looking to use it, instead of an alternitave route.

If I carry Black Talons, does that make me a "cop killer".

Or the Nyclad make me a FBI agent.

[bds]

I think ultimately people will do what they want to do, regardless of the information presented on internet forums.

I think it's good that people still have choices ... but there are consequences to those choices we make. Consequences of using reloads for defensive shooting is that you may have your reloading equipment/components confiscated during investigation/trial. If you don't mind that, then choosing to use reloads would be a personal decision.

If I was hunting in the "woods" and wanted an effective load against thick-skinned four-legged wild animal, hard cast SWC load maybe be more appropriate than factory JHP but I don't think that's what the OP was asking.

"You must choose, but choose wisely", a line from Indiana Jones movie may very well apply here. :D

[Old krow]

Consequences of using reloads for defensive shooting is that you may have your reloading equipment/components confiscated during investigation/trial.

That's a risk I took when I carried a gun for defense. It's also a risk that I took doing so knowing that I reload. They might confiscate my equipment even if I used factory ammo simply because I have the equipment in my house. I read that link, but I don't honestly remember what all it covered. It spent a great deal of time on GSR.

I concluded that I should probably use a sword instead of a gun, and not a homemade one. :)

[kanook]

I concluded that I should probably use a sword instead of a gun, And they willl conclude that yopu are a NINJA :neener:

[Sam1911]

Consequences of using reloads for defensive shooting is that you may have your reloading equipment/components confiscated during investigation/trial.

BDS, I don't think anyone in that other thread was suggesting that having a bit of property confiscated was even one of the primary consequences of using reloads.

At the risk of rehashing that debate -- which I don't think we need to do -- there were two primary concerns:

1) Your reloading habit (and your "super lethal" reloads) might be portrayed as suggesting a mindset which predisposes you to violence, casting doubt on the necessity of your actions. The prosecutor might try to portray you as a "Rambo" type who was out looking for a fight, and thus you were a mutual combatant, not an unfortunate victim of potentially lethal violence who acted as a reasonable and prudent person acting to save his life.

This one has been pretty much denigrated as a realistic concern. A good defense attorney should be able to cut off that line of attack and focus on the facts of the case.

2) IF your defensive shooting was called into question AND some critical facet of your self defense claim hinged on evidence supplied by gun shot residue (GSR) testing, there is a chance that data obtained through testing YOUR ammo might not be admissible in your defense. You'll have to read the other thread to see the arguments for and against that theory.

As far as concerns over having things confiscated, that often just plain happens when someone is on trial for murder/manslaughter and/or trying to establish a self-defense claim. There are examples of "simple" defensive shootings where the investigating officers confiscated every firearm in the house and all ammo until things were all sorted out. All you can count on is that life is going to SUCK for a while if you ever shoot someone for any reason. The fact that they might pack up and haul off your Dillon 550 and a few lbs. of powder for testing isn't really a compelling factor in this decision.

[Old krow]

Hi, getting into re loading and I keep on hearing not to use re loads for self defense.

I'll attempt at making an actual contribution to the OP now. :) In your case, I doubt that I would use hand loads. The reason being, some of these folks trust their hand loads, however, they've been doing this for a while. I'd probably also wager than many have done it long enough to know the effects of what they loaded. If that isn't the case, I wouldn't try it. There's so much data available for factory loads concerning expansion, velocities, gel tests, and such, that's it's probably easier to know what you're getting for a while by just buying something that has proven itself.

While there may be issues with factory loads, it's probably a relatively low number. Less than 5% failure probably? Less than 1%? What's the failure rate of my hand loads? As a new reloader the data is inconclusive, I'd err on the side of caution regardless of where I lived.

If you really wanted to split hairs about which one was better, you'd need data from the hand loads to support whether or not you were able to achieve more than the factory load did in the first place.

Once you're as old... I mean as accomplished as some of these guys here, then my conclusion won't mean much anymore. :)

[gunguy0829]

old krow

That is a good point, I will carry factory loads till i have more experience.

[bds]

BDS, I don't think anyone in that other thread was suggesting that having a bit of property confiscated was even one of the primary consequences of using reloads.
Yes, correct. Mind is hazy from welding metal fence all day in the heat and that was a long thread. :D That's why I hoped people read the discussion thread. I should have posted that in addition to GSR/distance determination issue, FOR ME, additional factor for carrying factory ammunition is the issue of reloading equipment/component confiscation by police during investigation/trial.

[ColtPythonElite]

I think will is a strong word to use regarding what the police may do.

[gunguy0829]

I think it has to do with the situation surounding the insident. I am not sure though.

[bds]

Yes, for some defensive shootings, the DA won't press charges.

Example #1:
Teen mother shoots intruder in defense of herself and baby - http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/04/teen-mom-shoots-kills-intruder-with-11-dispatcher-on-phone/

DA response - "Oklahoma law allows the use of deadly force against intruders, and prosecutors said [shooter] clearly acted in self-defense ... [Intruder] was holding a knife when he died ... initial review of the case doesn't indicate she violated the law in any way ... However, prosecutors have charged his alleged accomplice, 29-year-old Dustin Louis Stewart, with first-degree murder. According to authorities, Stewart was with Martin but ran away from McKinley's home after hearing the gunshots ... When you're engaged in a crime such as first-degree burglary and a death results from the events of that crime, you're subject to prosecution for it."


Example #2:
Teen shoots intruder in defense of himself and sister - http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/10553140/

DA response - "No charges are expected against the teen for firing on Henderson. North Carolina's Castle Doctrine law, updated on Dec. 1, allows homeowners to assume intruders mean them ill whether they have a weapon on not."


Example #3:
A 90-year-old retired law enforcement officer defended his home against an intruder - http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/north_bay&id=8490389

"It happened in broad daylight ... The suspect forced his way into the house and was met by 90-year-old Jay Leone, a retired law enforcement agent who confronted him, shooting him three times. The suspect then shot Leone once."

DA Response: "We now know the legal fate of the 90-year-old ex-lawman who got into a gunfight with an armed intruder who broke into his Greebrae home on Wednesday; Jay Leone is not expected to face charges.

[1SOW]

I think ultimately people will do what they want to do, regardless of the information presented on internet forums.

I think it's good that people still have choices ... but there are consequences to those choices we make. Consequences of using reloads for defensive shooting is that you may have your reloading equipment/components confiscated during investigation/trial. If you don't mind that, then choosing to use reloads would be a personal decision.

I definitely agree with the first statement.

re the second statement: I don't know how often you've had to shoot someone to save your or your family's lives, but many would find that "inconvenience relatively trivial".
Records here in Texas do not backup several of your "assumptions" including going to trial or facing charges at all.

edit to add: I see you put in some disclaimers while I was typing

[918v]

The question you should ask yourself is what handload of yours does this:

http://i26.tinypic.com/a3fbl4.jpg

See, this is the reason to keep handloads in the range bag and Ranger Talons in your gun. You cant buy these as components. I even took a few boxes apart and tried to improve on the accuracy by trying different powders, primers, OAL, etc. Couldn't.

Why would you use first generation hollowpoint technology (because that's all you can get) when you can use these?

[R.W.Dale]

You can get gold dots no problem. I have 1000 loaded up of the 124 g 9mm flavor as a simulant for my carry load.

I prefer the gold dot to Winchester's ranger loads as they seem to do a bit better through denim

posted via mobile device.

[918v]

Gold Dots aren't as vicious as the evil and rabid RA45TP.

[Clark]

In 1990 I was looking to buy an apartment building in Seattle.
In the bad part of town the cost to rent ratio was very low.
I had to check out one of those buildings that could pay for itself in 4 years.
I parked my car and it being a hot day, I left it with the windows open.
I walked around the building. Broken glass was 1" deep everywhere.
When I came around the building a minute later, there were some inner city youths inside my car.
I watched a family move like a convoy from their car to their apartment.

Now, when i go to Seattle at night, I carry a 45.

[Certaindeaf]

In 1990 I was looking to buy an apartment building in Seattle.
In the bad part of town the cost to rent ratio was very low.
I had to check out one of those buildings that could pay for itself in 4 years.
I parked my car and it being a hot day, I left it with the windows open.
I walked around the building. Broken glass was 1" deep everywhere.
When I came around the building a minute later, there were some inner city youths inside my car.
I watched a family move like a convoy from their car to their apartment.

Now, when i go to Seattle at night, I carry a 45.
I think this is about reloading, not relocating.

[jibjab]

ell, if the shoot is legal to start with, I fail to see how using a reload would be any different then using a hammer you just put a new handle in, or your wifes old cast iron skillet you just shined up on the wire wheel grinder.

I agree

As a jury member who knows what their IQ may be :uhoh:
I load my SD firearms mostly with reloads because I can afford to practice with them, and I know where the bullet goes when I pull the trigger.

[GLOOB]

I don't much worry about losing my reloading equipment. If it goes to trial, you could buy a few Camden presses for what your lawyers are going to charge you. And I'm sure you'll have more to worry about than how you're going to feed your firearms in the interim... if you even have any. If they take your reloading gear, I wonder that they're gonna just leave your guns. :)

If you're that worried about the what ifs, an NRA membership and/or some prepaid lawyer insurance should be a higher priority than buying SD ammo.

[bds]

I always held the notion that justified shooting is justified shooting, regardless of ammuniton, whether factory or reloads.

But it will be the DA who will make the determination whether to press charges or not.

Yes, I agree that if you are involved in a "questionable" defensive shooting situation, you'll have more to worry about than having your reloading equipment/components confiscated.

Although not having to add that to your situation would certainly help IMO. ;)

[splattergun]

+1 denton.
gunguy, consider where you live and the prevailing climate for self defence. If in an area that stands behind your rights to defend yourself, consider using what shoots best in your weapon.

As for me, my 9mm currently holds Hydra-shok in one mag, handloaded XTPs in the 2nd. I forget which is in the mag chute. my 12 ga holds3" 00 buck factory loads ahead of handloaded slugs. My .44 Remmy NA is loaded with home-brewed conicals on 35 gr of pyrodex. My rifles currently hold factory loads with handloads on deck.

My kegerator holds a corny keg of home brewed oatmeal stout, one of blond ale and a 6 pak of factory beer. I choose whichever pleases me :D.

[1SOW]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MxmajghP-V0/T0ieQvveaSI/AAAAAAAAArw/4SYnhfTnsVM/s512/84796846.jpg

Coming out soon in 45, 40, 9mm

[918v]

No barbs on the petals. In a cage fight the Ranger Talon would win.

[Certaindeaf]

Pray tell what flavor of the month is that?

[Certaindeaf]

I've made many a grown man cry. No big whoop. The first time was playing chess when I was seven.
Another time (pretty darn young), I asked to whap some wetpack with my homebrewed 9 out of my BHP.. regular cast by me 140gr SWC. He actually looked me in the eye and said he had some work to do. The difference was quite marked regarding damage and penetration. anyway
There is no real magich.

[1SOW]

Pray tell what flavor of the month is that?
Berry's new entry into the LEO/SD bullet market
Those were preliminary test rds using the FBI-type requirements for testing.
They are supposed to hit the catalog around mid-summer.

[1SOW]

oops

[BullfrogKen]

bds, hate to break this to you, 'cause you've made yourself feel all warm and fuzzy believing . . . hoping . . . that your reloading equipment can't be seized in a warrant if you assert you didn't use hand loads.


But you're wrong.


The order can be granted to take anything suspected as evidence. Doesn't have to be proven. They won't take your word.

They will take your STUFF and determine it all on their own.

If it might matter to the case, they won't dither. It'll be taken as evidence right away and excluded later. Much later. Like when they get around to it. But your reloading tools and components can still be taken when you swear up on down on your dead mother's grave you used factory ammo.

Doesn't really matter, since the odds of you ever finding that out are remote.


I don't bother worrying over it. And I'd discourage anyone new to reloading to wait on carrying hand loads until they've get several thousand rounds worth of experience.

[Master Blaster]

The problem is that once the police discover/realize that reloaded ammunition was involved in the shooting, your ENTIRE reloading equipment/components can and will be taken in for evidence for the duration of the investigation and/or court trial while police/experts may try to replicate the load used for the shooting to determine distance, etc.


Got news for you, if they discover you reload, or there is any question about whether its a good shoot or not, they can and probably will confiscate your entire firearm collection and all of your reloading gear anyway, along with the clothes and shoes you were wearing at the time, and your car if it was near or involved in the shooting incident.

Depends on the prosecutor the police and the judge.

[bds]

Darn Ken! You had to spoil my delusion ... :D