Would you shoot reloads someone else made?

[Sunray]

"...shoot reloads someone else made..." Absolutely not.
"...business' that reload ammo for a living..." Different thing entirely. Commercial reloaders must be licenced and have liability insurance. Still generic ammo though.
"...would like to give a gift..." Exceptionally decent of you, but give him brass, 1,000 primers, powder or 1,000 bullets(bullets might get seriously expensive though) he uses most. Not reloaded ammo. I'd lean towards primers.

 

[logical]

They are loaded at 95% of max load, per reputable book

The powder brand and exact quantity

Provided the book recipe from a trusted source

Provided overall cartridge length, which was set at book spec

The exact bullet & primer

Stated they were full-length sized, not just neck sized

Stated not only was each charge of powder weighed individually (not just metered), but each completed cartridge was also weighed to confirm everything.

Not exactly a Hallmark Card.

 

[Victor1Echo]

I guess I am a terrible person for suggesting I'd shoot anybodies reloads. I bought reloading equipment that came with several reloaded 45acp, 44sw, 38spc, and 357mag. Most are marked what loads, with the fps, and pressure. They guy I bought from also cast.lubed/ sized his bullets--and he was a doctor. So i sort of trust the rounds. Also, I would shoot any reloaded round that came from a person I knew who had the statistics to go along with it. But I would not just shoot ammo I found at the range.

 

[Smokey Joe]

The poll doesn't allow...

multiple answers.

I've shot reloads from a commercial reloading company. They have to have a FFL for doing that, and more importantly, have to have insurance, and you can bet they will have been thoroughly vetted by their business insurance company. A commercial reloader is a "known quantity," same as any of the big original manufacturers of ammunition. Sure, "Pete Jones' Reloading Co." could make a mistake, but so could Winchester or Remington or Federal. And Pete Jones has more at stake with each box of ammo, than does a large corporation.

Many years ago (like about 50) when there were far fewer restrictions on firearms and ammunition, I shot reloads from a guy who made a business of reloading, in his garage. He did a major business for a cottage industry, and had a good local reputation. And back then I didn't know any better. I'm sure the GCA of '68 put him out of business. His '06 ammo shot very nice in my sporterized '03A3.

One of the poll questions is about shooting someone else's reloads who is a good friend whom you really trust. I don't have any friends like that who are experienced reloaders, but if I did, I would.

Of course I shoot my own reloads, almost to the exclusion of shooting any other ammo. Nearly no one else shoots my reloads. My son did, back when he was young, under my supervision. I don't hand them out to strangers. I think if a hunting buddy suddenly ran out of cartridges, and needed one more, and I had what he needed as reloads, I'd hand him one, but on second thought, I'd just take the shot myself.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

business' that reload ammo for a living..." Different thing entirely. Commercial reloaders must be licenced and have liability insurance. Still generic ammo though.

this was what i shot 30+ years back Commercial reload, that 45acp felt like my 44 mag had just went off, blew the mag out into my hand as it set off the next round in the mag, lucky there was only 1 left in it. the SF1911-A1 lived company sent me some new mags, back then lawyer was not the first thought as it is today, my gun still works fine same barrel got some new mags and i was good, can imagine what my xd or glock would have looked like if it happen to them

 

[Coolbreeze8804]

How's this for a possible option, (and one that I frequently do myself) Give the fellow a coupon for however many rounds you want to give him. A coupon for him to come over, to your gear, you provide the fixin's, and you walk him through the process of re-loading his own ammo.

He not only gets a handfull of ammo, but he gets a new skill, a look at what it takes to do it right, and you both get a chance to hang out... If he already loads himself, just buy him the finxin's...

 

[eatont9999]

I would trust reloads from myself and only one friend of mine. Anyone else's reloads do not go in my guns. I worry about a double charge, not so much on primers, etc. I know a guy who used to just "fill up the case" or use those Lee powder dippers. Well, he had more than one and some more "accidents." I recall someone saying that he was going to solder on a primer to a case. My answer to that is: hold on, let me get my camcorder.

I have been reloading for several years now. All kinds of rifle and pistol calibers too. Thank the lord, but I have never double charged a round so far. My process is to use my powder measure to drop the powder in the case and then it goes right into the press for the bullet to be seated. So I clean, lube, resize/deprime, inspect, prime, powder, seat bullet and lastly crimp. All is done on single stage equipment. The only problems I have had is no powder charge, bad primer or underpowered loads. I would take those over a double charge any day.

I would not be comfortable selling or giving my reloads away for liability purposes. However, I let friends shoot them at the range, so I have to figure that one out.

 

[ArtP]

How's this for a possible option, (and one that I frequently do myself) Give the fellow a coupon for however many rounds you want to give him. A coupon for him to come over, to your gear, you provide the fixin's, and you walk him through the process of re-loading his own ammo.

He not only gets a handfull of ammo, but he gets a new skill, a look at what it takes to do it right, and you both get a chance to hang out... If he already loads himself, just buy him the finxin's...

That's an EXCELLENT idea. However, this fellow is in another state.

 

[Smokey Joe]

BTDT...

Cool Breeze 8804--I've done that too. I have one friend who has ZERO interest in becoming a reloader, or shooting very much, but he did want me to work up a reload for him.

Had him come over and "do it himself" under my direction, on my equipment. He still has no interest in becoming a reloader in his own right, but he thinks I'm a sheer genius, because the load I guesstimated for a starter, shoots accurately in his .30-'06. He & I loaded up 50 rounds I think. Now, 10 years later, he says he's almost out of that 50, and he wants to come over again and make up another set.

No problem here with any of this. HE does the work, HE does the checking of each powder charge. They really are his reloads, not mine. And not everyone is crazy about reloading everything, and shooting nearly as much as I do. And we have a nice visit when he's here.

Have another friend with whom I started the same way, and he went and bought himself a set of reloading equipment. I helped him get it set up in his basement. Again, HE did all the actual loading; I just helped here & there. He's not a high-volume shooter, either, but with him and his wife and older daughter all shooting the same cartridge and load, he figures that reloading is economical for him.

 

[ArtP]

I worry about a double charge, not so much on primers, etc. I know a guy who used to just "fill up the case" or use those Lee powder dippers.

If you hand loaded yourself, you'd know the vast, vast majority of loads fill the case way beyond 50% making a double load impossible. This is a common fear and one I had before I started. I'm speaking of rifle loads in bottle neck cartridges here. In fact every load I've ever made fills way past 50%, but there must be some out there that don't.

I weigh every load by hand, to within a tenth of a grain and none of my loads are at book maximum. Even if I were off a whole grain or two, I'd still be within the safe realm.

In my opinion there are two mistakes that could potentially cause trouble, using the proper charge of the wrong powder or no powder at all. I keep only one canister on the bench for loads I'm working on. The other powders stay on a shelf. I shake each finished load or weigh each finished load. Another potential problem is using weakened or split brass, but the user can check that himself.

If you use common sense, don't push the limits and avoid alcohol and drugs, this is a very safe hobby.

Everyone is psrone to mistakes. The mistake I made and caught was forgetting to prime a case. Charged with seated bullet, but no primer.

 

[Billy Mixon]

I wouldn't. A friend gave me some .30.30 reloads once and told me they were loaded "hot." I kept them til I thought he'd probably forgot about them then threw them away.

 

[MCgunner]

I reload my own. I don't trust anyone else.

 

[FTSESQ]

I voted yes, from a manufacturer...

 

[MCgunner]

If you hand loaded yourself, you'd know the vast, vast majority of loads fill the case way beyond 50% making a double load impossible. This is a common fear and one I had before I started.

You must have never loaded for the .38 special....or .45 Colt. Before trail boss came along, most folks used Bullseye or similar dense powder for .38 wadcutters or standard pressure loads. Hell, a quadruple load is POSSIBLE. And, yeah, I weigh some rifle loads, though I'm using a volume measure much anymore and only weight every 5th round on rifle loads, but I load handguns on progressives. Progressives use a powder measure, just what they do. If something happens, the primer feed screws up, or something like that, things can happen. You gotta be thinkin' to keep the possibility of double charges to zero. If I have a press problem or something like the phone rings to distract me, I just dump cases and start over when I get back to it. I'm careful, Joe Blow might not be. Yes, it happens.

 

[ArtP]

You must have never loaded for the .38 special....or .45 Colt.

You're right, I don't load pistol or revolver rounds, just rifle. Also, I use a single stage press and do everything manually. I did just buy a 44 mag though, I will be loading for that soon. I haven't found it economically sound to reload for 9mm or 45 ACP. I might shoot 300 rounds a year of each. Maybe someday.

I used to use the powder throw and weigh every fourth. But some of my powder is hard to meter accurately, so went to weighing every charge.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

How's this for a possible option, (and one that I frequently do myself) Give the fellow a coupon for however many rounds you want to give him. A coupon for him to come over, to your gear, you provide the fixin's, and you walk him through the process of re-loading his own ammo.

THERE IS A SMALL GUN SHOP HERE THAT DOES JUST ABOUT THIS
he lets you watch him do everything except charge the case and seat the bullet,
you do that, guess he feels that lets him of the hook of something goes ka-boom

 

[Guncollector1982]

my friend i shoot with alot sometimes shoots the same caliber and he always says use some of mine....I never do cause i dont trust his loads exactly. I tend to load moderate loads and use a bigger gun if i want more power... less stress on the gun and more room for margin of error maybe. I dont shoot others loads.

 

[foghornl]

I have shot A LOT of "Commercial reloads" without a hitch...OK

I have shot A FEW reloads from others, but only from folks I know very well.

 

[Mudinyeri]

Most of my target loads are purchased from a licensed reloader. Initially, I only knew him by reputation. He had sold to several other acquaintances. I purchased a small order and shot them based upon the recommendations of the acquaintances who had also purchased from him.

Now, 1000's of rounds later, I can't imagine getting my target loads any other way.

 

[oldbear]

Use for range ammo only.

Only from someone I know VERY well, and I'm convinced that the person knows what they are doing. I will only use reloads as range ammo.

 

[raz-0]

I didn't check any of the options offered because I don't agree with any of them.

There's basically 3 types of people in the world when it comes to "would you shoot their reloads" IMO.

First, those you just won't shoot: I don't care if you tell me what the load is, you sound sane, etc. If I haven't personally witnessed a lot of your reloads going down range without bad things happening, I'm not going to shoot them. This is most people's reloads, simply because i don't know them. Then there are people I know who, for example, have 550s, and lots of squibs. That's the next best thing to frequent double charging with a manual index press. So... no, sorry, not even in your gun.

Second, those whose reloads I won't shoot in my guns: For example, one person I know, I'll shoot most of what they make, but not one particular load. That's because he's seriously pushing it to the point where I feel his powder measure is likely to betray him one day on that particular load. The most common member of this group is someone I know who has a good history, but is trying out a new load, powder, cartridge.

Third, are the folks whose reloads I will shoot. They shoot what I deem to be a sane load, and I know they are capable of making a lot of ammo without screwing up the recipe.

 

[kimbernut]

No Win Situation

Good guns are occasionally blown up even with new factory ammo.

If anything goes wrong you are opening yourself up for a whole world of hurt whether you screwed up or not. Possibly legally,financially,etc.,etc.,etc. Are you willing to subject your family to that?

NOW, that said. Have I done it? Yes. Will I again? Probably but extremely selectively. Best bet like Smokey says help him manufacture his own on your equipment under your supervision.

 

[warnerwh]

The only person's reloads I'd trust are from my best friend. I trust his reloads as much as my own.