[Float Pilot]

Back before I retired from Law Dawging I had to shoot issued ammo in my hand-guns and duty long-guns. But I never shot factory ammo at home.
The other day I realized that I have not shot any factory ammo for nearly 11 years. Except for some testing comparisons... and even then I did not buy it...

I hand-load for optimal preformance / accuracy. Plus I like to hand-load just as much as I like shooting.
Therefore, I would not care if it actually cost me more to shoot hand-loads than factory ammo, I would still shoot my hand-loads.

[jwrowland77]

Well, I haven't been reloading very long (march 2012), and since then, I have not shot any factory ammo. Just what I've loaded up and I've enjoyed every minute of reloading as I have unloading. :D.

[rikman]

Don't reload what I can buy pretty cheap. 9mm & 22LR. I also haven't loaded much 223Rem though I have all the dies. Only loaded heavy 223rem for longer distances. Not bothering with 7.62x39 for my AK47.

[TheCracker]

It's funny I was just thinking about this yesterday! I've been loading about 5 years now and have 2 guns that have never had a factory round through it except for the test firing the factories do

[dragon813gt]

Well apparently I shot up all my 9mm SD ammo so I had to pull out some HydraShoks I've had for awhile. I technically haven't shot them but the pistol is loaded and ready to go.


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[Reefinmike]

answered handloads only. Kind of lied though as I shoot a six round mag of hydrashoks out of my 380 every 3 or 4 months to ensure they cycle properly. otherwise, its nice to know 4/6 of my guns haven't seen factory ammo. cant reload 22lr economically so the 10/22 and beretta 21a get factory junk

[cfullgraf]

I shoot a little factory ammunition. I like to "calibrate" my guns with factory ammunition with a chronograph. It helps indicate if the gun shoots fast or slow when compared to reloading information. It gives another data point for two for the fire arm.

I have a few guns that I have never put a factory round through. They are either wildcats or obsolete cartridges.

I sometimes buy factory ammunition to get the cases, particularly if ammunition is available and cases are not. I do this most when adding a new cartridge to my inventory. Once I have a supple of cases on hand, I usually can wait to buy more empty cases when they are available.

When I shot competitive skeet, I would shoot factory ammunition in the matches and reloads for practice. Shooting the factory ammunition in matches eliminated the worry of having my ammunition checked and it generated empties for practice.

[FROGO207]

In 30 years I have not shot factory loads in anything that I can reload. I sometimes will buy factory ammo and take it apart and reuse the components to make my ammo but other than .22 I do reload all my ammo

[sellersm]

I mix in some factory stuff, as has been mentioned already, to 'baseline' new calibers or compare against. But for more than 90%, it's handloads.

[minnesota]

My mixed in ammo is 22lr though.

[.22-5-40]

Other than the ones I bought used, all have had only handloads thru them..other than . rimfire & shotshells.

[gamestalker]

The only time I run factory ammo through my firearms is if it has been given to me. In all my years of shooting I have never had one single mis-fire with my hand loads. As for factory ammunition, I have had numerous problems, including, but not limited to mis-fires.

GS

[witchhunter]

handloader for over 40 years, shot the box of factory that came with a 25/06 I bought in 1972, rebarreled it to.257 Weatherby in 2012 and bought factory ammo from midway for the brass, shot a box for baseline and pulled bullets from the rest and loaded it with 115 partitions. I will shoot factory pistol rounds upon occasion though.

[DM~]

Well, i had an ammo mfg. license for many years, so my handloads WERE FACTORY LOADS. lol

I never say never, but it's true that i rarely shoot "factory" loads and never for hunting...

Now, after having said that, my dad gave me about 8 or 10 boxes of factory 30-06's and i plan to start shooting them up soon! Maybe i'll save a few for hunting??

DM

[esheato]

Hardly ever these days.

I'll say it this way, my guns haven't seen factory ammo in years. I, on the other hand, have and it's mostly trying out a friends gun or 22LR.

[esheato]

Double tapped...sorry.

Delete me.

[1SOW]

I reload, except for my .22 and shotgun.

[Kachok]

I take great pride in my handloads, but when I first get a rifle I buy a few boxes of mainstay factory fodder to try out (core-lokts, power points, Ballistic Tips) so if I ever am in a pinch for ammo I know what shoots decent in that rifle. 99% of my rifle shooting is handloads and all of my hunting.

[ArchAngelCD]

Although the majority of my shooting and hunting is done with my reloads there are rare times I shoot factory ammo so that's how I voted. In reality I shoot very little factory ammo so I guess I could have actually voted that way too...

[Tim the student]

The only centerfire I shoot factory in is in my M1 carbine. I rarely shoot that gun, and don't reload for it.

[grumpy66]

I shoot "store-bought" ammo occaisionally in my bolt-gun....when I need some more once-fired brass for my chamber.

For my M1a, I have a couple of cases stocked up along with several cases of reloads.

For my .45 Colt, .45acp, and .357 nothing but hand loads.

My FAL gets a steady diet of surplus.

[erikk8829]

Been reloading since early 50's & other than 22's & a box or 2 0f 12GA slugs haven't shot factory till last month when I bought some Federal 100's at Wally World on sale to get some brass

[thump_rrr]

My reloading setup arrived before my first pistol did.
Neither one of my pistols has ever fired a factory round other than at the factory.

I have put exactly 20 rounds of factory ammo through my AR and Savage 10BA because I wanted to chronograph the factory ammo.

I even reload for my SKS which gets soft points.

[armarsh]

In 35 years I can recall the 14 boxes of factory ammo I have purchased. Ten of those boxes were 7.62x39 that came with an SKS. I could not begin to imagine how many reloads I have shot.

Probably the only thing I do not reload for is non-toxic shotgun shells. The small quantity I use does not justify getting into it.

[beatledog7]

Though I reload now, I typically buy relatively inexpensive factory ammo for each new acquisition and shoot a little of it before any handloads. It makes sense to me to do the initial (for me) firing of any gun with ammo that's certified, warranted, etc. Besides, I can use the brass again.

I bought a fair amount of .38SPL, .357Mag, .40 S&W, and .223 Rem before I started reloading, and I still have a bunch of it around. I compare prices and will, for the right price, take advantage of bulk offerings at shows or on line. But I'm more likely by far to spend those dollars on components than built rounds. Now, when I shop for a gun in a new-to-me cartridge, I consider the cost of dies, brass, and appropriate bullets in the price equation (I already have primers and probably at least one suitable powder).

I don't reload shotshells, but unless I get into trap or skeet I doubt if I'll run out of 12ga shells in the years of life I have remaining.

[DeadFlies]

I only got into handloading recently and I only do two calibers (9mm and 30-30) but I plan on never buying factory ammo for those guns again.

[JohnM]

Never say never.
I have a few assorted boxes of factory stuff which I might shoot someday. :)
And I've decided I bird hunt so little anymore I gave away all my shotshell equipment and I'll buy a box or 2 of 12 gauge whenever I need some.

[JLDickmon]

I shoot factory ammo in my .22LR's.. does that count?

I have a ten year old box of Winchester SXT I use as carry ammo in my .45.. other than that, handloads FTW!

[tahoe2]

I handload/reload all my centerfires with the exception of scatterguns (100 pk/$25) & of course my 22's. I get mostly 1"-2" groups with all my handloads depending on the rifle, and 2'-4" from my handguns, no competition shooting, just real world hunting accuracy. Most of my rifles are from the 1930's, 40's, & 50's and I accept the fact that they don't shoot sub MOA, but the deer couldn't tell.

[kerreckt]

Rarely shoot factory ammo except rimfire. The only time I shoot factory ammo is if I am test firing something I am considering buying. I answered never shoot factory ammo but now you know I am a liar.

[JohnM]

Rimfire stuff hardly counts since it's essentially not reloadable.

[gpb]

Whenever I get a new gun the first few boxes are always factory loads. I do this because if there is a problem with the gun it’s much easier to discuss it with the manufacturer if factory ammunition is being used. I have found that if reloads were being used the manufacturer will then blame any faults on that.

However, once the gun has been proven I only use factory ammunition when I need brass or shells.

[helotaxi]

I keep my eyes open for good deals on factory ammo loaded with premium bullets and buy it when available. In one case it was just pure luck as I had just purchased a 7mm WSM and couldn't find brass anywhere. Right at that same time, Federal discontinued their load with the 160gn Partition and Midway put it on clearance for $20.49 a box. You'd be hard pressed to load it for that and considering that I couldn't find brass in the first place...10 boxes came to my door. I found a similar deal on Nosler Custom .243 loaded with 85gn Partitions and bought 5 boxes, partly for the ammo and partly for the good brass. Had to but factory ammo for the .308 Marlin Express to get brass as well.

My .45 Colt revolver and carbine have never seen a factory load. My .243 target rifles hasn't either.

[Bovice]

I won't say I never shoot factory ammo, but I usually am not. For each new caliber I get, I like to shoot a fair number of factory rounds to get a feel for a baseline, like perceived recoil and velocity. Then I load and try to match it. At least for me, I have gotten the best accuracy by pushing my loadings to factory speeds for the caliber and bullet weight. I like midrange weights in 9mm and .40 and strictly 230 grain for my .45 ACP.

[Swampman]

I shoot mostly handloads in HP rifle and pistol although if I see a good deal on factory, I'll sometimes buy it, primarily for the cases.

I cast slugs and buckshot and reload them, for light dove loads I generally shoot factory stuff.

All the .22 rimfire I shoot is factory (some costs considerably more per round than most of my .308 handloads).

[Arkansas Paul]

I wouldn't say "never" but it's very rare that I shoot factory centerfire ammo. If I come by some really cheap or free, I'll shoot it up for fun, and so I can load the brass.
I do have a gun that has never fired a factory round, so I wouldn't in that one, just because that's cool. :)

[7mmb]

I voted that I mix in some factory but it is pretty rare, usually just 9mm when I don't have time to crank out a bunch. Other than old SD ammo I have shot maybe 100 rounds of 357 factory ammo since I started reloading in 1999. My 45 Colt Blackhawk has never shot a single round of factory ammo. Every round has been handloaded in the 500 Starline cases I bought when I bought the gun.

[mljdeckard]

I would love to have a stockpile of brass big enough to never have to buy any more new. But I'm not there yet.

[morcey2]

7x57, I shoot only handloads.

30-06, only handloads out of one rifle, but both handloads and factory (HXP M2) out of the others.

8x57, both handloads and surplus (mostly yugo M75).

7.62x54R, some handloads, but mostly surplus and a little PPU when I need brass.

12GA. Only factory, but I buy reloadable shells, mainly remington gun club. Up to a couple of 5-gal buckets of hulls.

22LR. only handloads. :neener:

Matt

[mcdonl]

I mostly reload for every caliber although I have a hang up about buying brass so I often will purchase factory ammo until I get a good amount of brass to reload.

[mdi]

I have a few .44 magnums that have never seen a factory round since they came into my posession (newest one was 16 yrs ago, and only one out of the 5 has seen a jacketed bullet). About 25 years ago I shot some .38 Specials, factory ammo, in a new gun I bought for my wife, but nuttin' since.

[mgmorden]

I shoot about 90% reloads. Realistically I run out every now and then and there are a couple guns I own that I don't reload for (at least not yet).

[horsemen61]

My ccw pistol has never shot factory ammo :D woke of my other guns have a little bit.

[mljdeckard]

I suppose I should add a 'but', I don't reload for any of my Chicom guns.

[Magnum Shooter]

I voted never but I should say almost never. Once I went to the range with a buddy and forgot to bring ammo for the 9mm so I bought a couple of boxes.

[guntech59]

I have to assume that the question discounts rimfire ammo.....other than that I have not fired a factory round in 7 years or so.

[420Stainless]

90% handloads, 10% factory. I keep any gun I'm likely to use if I get into a self defense situation loaded with factory ammo just because Ayoob says its a good idea. I break in those with factory ammo and then cycle through ammo that is carried in them on trips to the range and load with fresh after shooting reloads and clean up. Everything I shoot for fun is reloaded by me.

[MutinousDoug]

I've shot a lot of CMP Greek HXP in my Garands but I don't think any of my current handguns have seen factory ammo ever. Oh, and I still have an ammo can of LC 55 and LC 66 M1 Carbine ammo that came to me with my dad's gun.
Now I see that some airlines require ammunition be transported in "factory" packaging I guess I'll have to be on the look out for "factory" packaging, should I ever feel the need to fly commercial again.

[BYJO4]

Except for 22, I haven't shot factory ammo in years. I enjoy reloading and my loads are usually more accurate than factory and at a much better cost.

[A Pause for the Coz]

I guess I cant say never.... But I have shot in excess of 7000 rounds of various calibers this last year. And maybe.... Maybe 50 of them were store purchased ammo.

I just cant break out the 20 for a box of ammo I can do my self for $4

[RugerBob]

I only use factory when someone gives it to me as a gift or something.
My 45LC have never seen a factory load or a jacketed round. Cast my own for 45LC, 45acp, and 38s, and 45/70 and gas checked 308s for 30-30 and older 30-06s.

[blarby]

I use factory ammo for a few purposes :

Most of them center around the reliability, accuracy, and general functionality of my hand loads in comparison to factory loadings.

One of the best places this was demonstrated was in my pursuit of better buckshot loads.

I keep a box of 45 FMJ by winchester around perpetually for comparing new runs of 45 against a known and performing product. This may fall to the wayside with the completion of my 45 project, as I can know manufacture 45 ACP that is demonstrably superior to factory ammunition in every possible section of importance- including appearance and shelf longevity in non-optimum conditions.

YMMV

[Crashbox]

As a rule, I use factory ammo when I first use a new firearm or if perchance someone else would like to shoot one of mine. Otherwise, it's strictly reloads.

That reminds me- I just bought a Ruger 1-H Tropical in .405 Winchester and need to put some factory ammunition through it for the first time shooting... good thing I have some... but for some reason I am slightly hesitant to shoot it now... recoil reputation? NAH...

[billybob44]

I checked the first box..I guess 95% is almost ALWAYS my handloads??Bill.:D

[RustyFN]

The only factory ammo I have shot in the last six years is rimfire and 12 gauge.

[RustyFN]

As a rule, I use factory ammo when I first use a new firearm or if perchance someone else would like to shoot one of mine. Otherwise, it's strictly reloads.

That reminds me- I just bought a Ruger 1-H Tropical in .405 Winchester and need to put some factory ammunition through it for the first time shooting... good thing I have some... but for some reason I am slightly hesitant to shoot it now... recoil reputation? NAH...

Just curious why you use factory ammo only with a new gun. Most of my guns have never seen factory ammo.

[HOWARD J]

Only factory ammo I use is 7.62 X 39 Russian & 22 long rifle

[Crashbox]

Just curious why you use factory ammo only with a new gun. Most of my guns have never seen factory ammo.

Mainly to reveal the possibility of any factory defects, and if so, I should not have a problem getting the firearm repaired if I am using factory ammo. Granted, the factory ammunition isn't 100% perfect but if I have an early-on issue it still stacks the deck in my favor vs. handloads.

For the record, I've never had issues with any new firearm thus far.

[coloradokevin]

My precision rifle and Mauser almost never see a factory round (though a few have been fired through them from time to time, mostly when I find a good deal on something I want to try shooting through it).

But, like the OP, I'm an LEO. As such, my pistols often see the use of issued ammunition, which is what I carry at work, and use for qualification at work. We purchase our own guns in my department, so I do run hand loads through these guns on my own time, just not when I'm carrying on-duty, or CCWing off-duty.

[Coldfinger]

I too kinda lied. I bought a box of .40 to run through my m&p while I researched loading .40. My .45's have only had the factory test round fired through them. I also don't reload 7.62x54r or the rim fire stuff (obviously).