Carry ammo....Hand loaded or Factory loaded?

[manyironsinfire]

I carry factory because of legal issues if bad stuff happens I do'nt want some lawyer telling a jury that I handloaded evil bullets..But I only shoot reloads for practice and match's similar to my factory loads because of cost.

 

[OF]

You should read the post just above yours, manyirons.

For me, one of the great things about the Winchester Ranger-T ammo is it's inexpensive compared to alot of the premium carry ammo out there...and it's the top of the heap.

- Gabe

PS: Welcome to THR!

 

[mtnbkr]

DNS: Hear! Hear!

It's about time someone added a bit of sanity to this discussion. The liability aspect would be worth considering if the carry load in question was a shotgun full of dimes or a hollowpoint filled with poison, but we're talking about factory supplied bullets that are frequently available in factory ammo as well.

Besides, would the police even bother determining what you shot was a handload? How would they tell? Sure, they could ID the bullet type and match it to the casing, but would they even bother? What if the case was the same type with the same type of bullet in factory ammo? What if you bought the ammo from a reloading outfit like Georgia Arms? Is that a superduper deadly handload or a factory load?

Like DNS said, once you commit to using deadly force, the mere act of using that force is what's going to be held against you.

Chris

 

[manyironsinfire]

That's a very good point but the police collect evidence to make sure its not a wrongful death...It's the family and the lawyers,(read civil liability) case that will look closely at the type ,the amount shot, the box it came in and the placement of the shot(s) on the so called victim.. This,IMHO is the real midigating factor in carrying factory ammo.I also mark the box with info regarding which gun is loaded with it....Remember Murphy's law!

 

[HSMITH]

Handloads. What I like is typically either not available or $2 per round.

 

[mtnbkr]

the box it came in

Since I don't carry boxed ammo around with me on a daily basis, how are they going to get their hands on that box? Do police typically search the homes of people involved in self defense shootings, especially if the gun, person(s), bullets, and shell casings are still at the scene? Do lawyers in a civil case have the power to demand items from your home when the "crime" in question took place elsewhere?

Chris

 

[manyironsinfire]

These are all good points and I can't answer them all, but intuitively I feel that reducing the variables is a good thing....I've never had to protect thee or thine but if I do I don't want to be painted into a corner unnesecarily by some lawyer...

 

[BluesBear]

No one ever really asked me what kind of ammo I was using.

 

[manyironsinfire]

OK,OK, you guy's have convinced me. Carry factory ammo but don't ask, don't tell..Or carry reloads and don't worry,be happy!!

 

[d906670]

It was brought up in the civil case I had just because the pitcure had my reloading press in it. They paid my lawer fees when it was over.

 

[LoneWulf]

Factory carry ammo only as required by my dept. No handloads allowed for carry ammo.

 

[mbott]

If I carried (can't even apply until after April 7th), I'd carry what I shoot. Be that factory or reloads.

--
Mike

 

[mtnbkr]

It was brought up in the civil case I had just because the pitcure had my reloading press in it.

Can you give us details? Specifically what their point was, how they got a picture of your loading press, etc.

Chris

 

[Black_Talon]

I shoot handloads in competition and they all go bang but I still keep factory loads (RA45T) in my gun for defense. I don't think I can build a load that will be more effective or reliable than that. Cheaper maybe, but otherwise I see no advantage.

 

[d906670]

crime seen photos, tried to make the big bad bullets bull, but the jury did not buy it. just retired from uc work and the local prosecuter had a hardon for me was charged with 1st degree murder, facts showed it was justified shoot and who I did work for not just another junkie.

 

[P95Carry]

d906670 .......... any more facts you can give?? This could be very educational.

 

[aerod1]

I voted for factory due to the legal implications of using handloads.

Jim Hall

 

[Dave R]

Handloaded. Since I started reloading, I dont spend the $$ for premium defense loads any more. I just load 'em.

I don't believe there are any legal consequences. My reloads use the same components as factory ammo, and at the same velocity. So what's the difference?

 

[Frenchy]

Factory!...I let the company do the research...I don't have time.

 

[manyironsinfire]

YES, please give us somemore details on this matters! IT will be very good information for us all...

 

[mtnbkr]

crime seen photos

Your reloading room was a crime scene?

Chris

 

[boogalou]

I just can't buy the premise that we should use factory ammo because of liability reasons. It makes no sense that using a 230 grain hydro-shock ( evil name = evil bullet ) would be OK but I could get in trouble because I shot someone with a 200 gr. SWC target load. (Oh my god! a target load, aren't those really accurate!)

Any lawyer worth his salt should be able to defend what you use for self-defense against a prosecuter who decides to bring up the reloading card. Especially if you're using standard HP's and not going the P+ route. The only negative I can see about not using your own ammo is the perception by the public (jury) that reloaders are crazy alchemists rubbing garlic, teflon, hot sauce, or a combination thereof on the tips of their bullets.

 

[ruger357]

Always factory.

 

[mtnbkr]

It makes no sense that using a 230 grain hydro-shock ( evil name = evil bullet ) would be OK but I could get in trouble because I shot someone with a 200 gr. SWC target load

If they can make an issue out of that, why not take it one step further and say you used too much gun. Why do you need a 45acp when a 38special should be "enough". Why did you use a 357sig instead of a 9mm, etc. We should all be carrying single shot handguns chambered in 22lr.

Chris

 

[Ktulu]

I always carry factory ammo. The main reason I reload is to save money. I don't shoot enough SD ammo to justify reloading it. Besides, *** do I know about terminal ballistics, stopping power, etc.? With GoldenSabors, Hydroshocks, Ranger, etc. out there I'm not quite arrogant enough to think I can do better in my basement.