If you reload, do you reload your own self defense ammo?

[ArtP]

Please do not answer this poll if you are not a reloader.

I am aware of the possible legal consequences. If you have legal comments, this is probably not the thread to voice them in.

Any other comments are welcome.

 

[GW Staar]

I have bought a lot of factory. But the prices are out of control. I reload my .45 ACP and 40 S&W, using Speer brass, Speer bullets, and similar looking primers and powder, and put in in the original boxes. CSI isn't really as good and thorough as TV suggests. I can afford ammo this way, and I trust my ammo as much as factory. What's more I don't make ammo to maim and kill one bit more than what the factory does....and wouldn't even know how.

Besides, the " home-grown defensive ammo risk" is unproven...no matter what Ayoob rants on about.

 

[ljnowell]

I reload my own personal defense ammo. I feel I can trust my ammo 100%, definately more than storebought. I can examine each primer individually, weigh each charge, etc. I also find the right load for accuracy and performance. I can do all this, and still pay half as much or less for it. The absolute only way I can afford to shoot is reloading.

As for the legal aspect, we have all heard the many arguments. Thats all they are, though, are arguments. There has never been anyone convicted for using handloads or the "evil handmade killer bullet" thing that so many people preach about.

 

[okespe04]

I'm just getting into reloading, voted yes because I would load my own self defense ammo (not that I currently do). It seems like if you loaded it as close as possible to what the premium defense ammo companies do it could not be used against you. Also I cannot afford to practice and run 100s of rounds through my firearms at $1.50 a pop. So reloading my own premium ammo to practice with seems logical.

 

[ArtP]

I'm going to break my own request here and just say that I view the legal aspect (extra potent rounds) similar to a DA questioning the caliber chosen, whether to keep a pistol loaded or not (premeditated), or buying high performance rounds in the first place.

I also have a sneaking suspicion in my dumb county, investigators might not be able to fugure out if a reload or factory round was used. If a few boxes of factory Remington Golden Saber were found in the home, in addition to nickel plated Remington brass, Rem SP primers and component Golden Saber Bullets - how would they know? Test powder residue?

But I feel similar to you two guys on cost and control. The cost to "proof" a particular make/model of ammunition, is pretty darn expensive.

 

[essayons21]

I reload, but use factory defense ammo, so my vote reflects that.

However, as soon as I have a little more time to spend at the range, I will be working up self-defense loads, and start carrying my own. I have had a recent experience with a high number of FTF's with name brand, well respected manufacturers, and at this point I think I trust myself more.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I do both... I'll keep factory ammo in my concealed carry guns if I have it available. I do load my own woods defense loads though. I would not hesitate to use hand loads for CCW if I needed to. As mentioned in post 6, factory ammo is not foolproof. Especially with over-worked factories cranking out product at full throttle.

The legal issue can be argued... with ammo prices and availability being what they have been lately, as well as the issue of spotty reliability.

 

[loadedround]

I've reloading for over 40 years and yes I would, and do load my own ammo for self defense purposes. I know my ammo will chamber and fire. My only exceptions are 32 ACP and 380 ACP for my wife's Seecamp and my Ruger LCP respectfully. I don't reload these calibers because of such a small demand.

 

[GimpyLeg]

I have been reloading for some time and have never had the first problem with my reloads. However, for now I will rely on someone (company) with millions of loads and tests under their belt as to mine. Someday I will rely on my own, just not now.

 

[RandyP]

Actually my vote should go for #3 - I use factory ammo and home reloads in my self defense firearms.

Use whatever works, always goes BANG and always launches some kind of projectile out the barrel. Statistics (love 'em or hate 'em) say most SD scenarios happen at 15 feet or less and under 5 shots are fired. I do not really believe the make/model of the ammo used matters enough to fret over in the real world for civilians.

 

[ReloaderEd]

Self Defense Ammo

I have not purchased a factory round of ammo since I was 12 years old when I started reloading.
So yes I use reloads for primary defense rounds. Light weight jacketed hollow points all legal stuff. I trust them more than store bought rounds.
Always test your new reloads especially with new powder even of the same type. I am becoming more leary of Hodgdon and their powder burning rates.
Changing case types such as Norma can change things a lot and primers too. Be safe!!

 

[Slamfire]

Of the ammunition I have access to, premium factory ammunition has the best performance and is the most reliable.

Yes the stuff is very expensive, but I am worth it.

My reloads are for rock busting, paper punching, hunting.

 

[Gryffydd]

I voted that I use handloads, but it's really a mix. I tend to use factory ammo in my autos and handloads in my revolvers. It just kind ov varies by gun and caliber.

 

[benzuncle]

I don't shoot plinking loads at the range and then load my firearms with different loads for SD. My range loads are "built" to be as close as possible to mimic my SD rounds. To keep the cost within reasaon, I load my 45ACP with 230gr LRN's for the range and 230gr Remington Golden Sabers for SD and I buy in bulk. I load 13gr of AA#9 behind my 124gr 357SIG range loads and my 124gr Hornady XTP Hollow Points. And because I can't find any 102gr LRN's, I load all of my 380's with 102gr Remington Golden Sabers. Once again, buying the Golden Sabers in bulk keep the price within reason. This works for me; YMMV.

ArtP, thanks for asking that the legal stuff be omitted this time around.

 

[Mags]

I reload specialty SD ammo and extra SD ammo. For example I loaded a 230 grain FMJ for 45 ACP that chronos at 1050 fps. I only carry factory in SD rounds in my carry guns but I have a few hundred SD rounds that I have loaded for my bug out bag as purchasing that many factory rounds is quite pricey.

 

[Glock20]

Been loading SD ammo since day 1, and never looked back. If handloads are good enough for hunting, they are certainly good enough for SD.

 

[Yarddog]

I load my range ammo, But prefer factory 124gr p+ Gold Dots For S/D ; )
Y/D

 

[Furncliff]

I reload, but so far I really suck at it. I'd be better off wing'n my ammo at an intruder. I have some 9mm self defense ammo in the ammo drawer. But by the time I found my Cz gathered up the ammo and loaded the magazines my dogs will have made a snack of intruder A, but intruder B is all mine.

 

[coloradokevin]

I reload, and I'm not worried about the quality of the product I produce. However, I carry factory loaded Speer Gold Dot ammunition for my defensive/duty handgun.

My reasoning might sound legalish, but it isn't for the reasons that others have preached about in the past. I don't believe that I'd face any additional criminal scrutiny for having used my own handloaded ammo in a legitmate shooting, however I may find myself facing consequences at work. I'm a full-time police officer, and my department is pretty strict about the guns/ammo that we carry for duty use. In an official sense they carry these requirements over to our off-duty time, by stating that we are officially "always on duty".

For me it just seems like a lot less hassle to carry the department-issued ammunition, even if I could probably justify using whatever I wanted while I was on my own time. The quality of premium defensive ammo is just fine, and any accuracy/consistency gains I might have by handloading are absolutely meaningless in a defensive shooting with a handgun (at distances that usually range from about 0-10 yards).

 

[MrWesson]

I am going to be honest and say I don't quite trust the ammo I make for defense just yet.

As far as the legal aspect of it someone show me a case in a state with half a brain(not cali/northeast) where reloads or handloads caused a conviction/lawsuit.

Maybe in a couple years when I get more comfortable with my reloads.

 

[rcmodel]

Of all of the wierd misfires I've had and problems I've found in 50 years
*no flash-hole in the primer pocket, twice.
*no primer anvil more then twice.
*primer seated upside down more then once.
*folded case mouth that won't chamber several times.
*and a bullet seated upside down, once!
have occured when shooting factory GI and commercial ammo.

I trust my reloads further then I trust factory ammo.

At least I know for a fact it has a flash-hole in the case cause I deprimed it myself!

rc

 

[Yarddog]

The only stove pipe I've had in my 9's, Was a factory Magtec 115gr HP +p. My reloads
are fine, as I load to mid range, Except my 357 mags I use my reloads for hunting ; )
Y/D

 

[Sediment]

I voted I use factory ammo in HD weapons, but I use my handloads in all other applications. As someone said in an earlier post the typical HD scenario is 15ft or less and under 5 rounds fired, the ballistics difference should be minimal. Unless you are using steel core rounds, and loading very hot, the end result will likely be the same.

However, since I live in California, I have no doubt that a DA would use the type of ammo in a SD case against me. I can just imagine being accused of crafting extra deadly bullets if the suspect died, or underpowered, designed to cause maximum pain and suffering if the suspect lived. Damned if you do, and damned if you don't. At least with factory ammo it's one more thing I shouldn't have to worry about.

 

[ArtP]

However, since I live in California, I have no doubt that a DA would use the type of ammo in a SD case against me. I can just imagine being accused of crafting extra deadly bullets if the suspect died, or underpowered, designed to cause maximum pain and suffering if the suspect lived. Damned if you do, and damned if you don't. At least with factory ammo it's one more thing I shouldn't have to worry about.

I live in NorCal too and love the way you used the backward Russian "R" (cryllic).

I happen to have a different political view and don't think just because it's KA the issue would come up or carry any weight if it did.

 

[Otto]

I load my range ammo, But prefer factory 124gr p+ Gold Dots For S/D ; )

Same here. I'm really not interested in loading +P ammo. Speer makes a great product and I can get it cheap.