Posted on 07/27/2012 8:39:45 AM PDT by stuartcr
Is there really an issue with using handloaded ammunition for self defense?
Good idea
Step 1. Shut up.
Step 2. Call him.
I can't imagine him putting me on the stand under any circumstances. ;)
/johnny
/johnny
What I am looking for is “home machine loader” device, that will take a cartridge with a primer, put an exact amount of powder in it, insert the bullet and give it a quality crimp.
Not really for the serious reloader, but for the home amateur reloader. Maybe battery powered as well, so it could be used in the field.
Commercial cartridges are good, but you never know when getting them might be a problem.
Go for it. My ammo is at least as good (better I think) than off the shelf. Aside from that the advantages are many. You get to pick components. You get to pick the loading. You get to practice w/ what you carry...practice like you fight, fight like you practice. You get to cycle many many rds thru your weapons before you need them in an emergency. As for malfunctions any ammo can cause those AND you should be practicing malfunction drills as a common exercise anyway. The price is right so you get to practice much more.
The argument that somehow youll get tagged for your ‘killer’ ammo is not well founded. Who will know if you keep your mouth shut? At any rate if you make the ammo as you should itll have the appearance of factory. I strongly doubt the cops or da will be able to tell yours from factory. I strongly doubt whether theyll even know to look.
If, as people are predicting, things go bad then having the capably to make your own ammo will pay off big...youll be doing business as usual.
Its going to take plenty of time, study and experimentation on your part. Its doable though and the knowledge gained is invaluable.
Here ya go from a man who knows a bit about defensive handgun use:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=2129976&postcount=140
Your gun range example is just stupid. Of course if you have a gun and need it you’re going to use the ammo you have.
You apparently have never reloaded. After you get the equipment set up it’s basically a boring repetitive task. Multi-station turret reloaders help but you still have to load the turret and pull the operating handle. You’ll do this hundreds of times a session and thousands of times a year if you do any amount of shooting. Being careful will minimize mistakes but not eliminate them. Even factory ammo produces defective rounds but the number is very low. Everyone who handloads makes mistakes, it’s just a fact of the hobby.
1. I know of no case where handhoads were either used or determined to be an issue for the shooter. If there is one, somebody post a link or cite.
2. If you’ve reloaded for a long time and are good at it, you can meet or exceed factory ammo. Most common factory bullets are available for reloading.
3. If you’re new to reloading, or lack the gauges and tools for proper quality control, leave it to the professionals at Federal, Speer, Olin, et al.
I’ve reloaded for 25 years and still only carry factory ammo, but mostly because all my pistol handloads are target/bulk rounds of FMJ, plated, etc. I have, however, run my choice of carry ammo through my pistol for fit and function before ever carrying them on the street.
Sounds like a regular press, mine is hand-operated.
“Ive been reloading for about 30 yrs now, and have never had a squib or double-load.”
Everyone I ever met face to face has fessed up to having both occasionally. Not saying you’re lying just saying in my experience you’re an exception.
It wouldn’t be killer ammunition anyway, as it would be a lighter load for my wife. I’ve never been to court, but I have to think the weapon would be confiscated and the topic of ammunition would come up some time during the trial. We have lots of shootings in the Tidewater VA area.
“battery powered” doesn’t exactly equate with a field tool.
That said, nobody makes a powered reloader unless you get a conversion for a Dillon 550B. You don’t need a powered reloading press. A simple single-stage press will work fine for a beginner reloader, and you’ll always have need for a single-stage press even if you move up to a progressive machine.
Some of the more recent offerings like the Hornady Lock-N-Load let you put your dies in special holders that will keep the dies settings (depth, crimp, etc.) even if you’re constantly swapping them out.
RCBS, Hornady and others have some very good single-stage kits that offer a solid value.
Here for the best selection:
www.midwayusa.com
“Everyone I ever met face to face has fessed up to having both occasionally. Not saying youre lying just saying in my experience youre an exception”
I do wish there was an edit function. Should have read:
Everyone I ever met face to face who reloaded has fessed up to having both occasionally. Not saying youre lying just saying in my experience youre an exception
I’ll admit to one.
Waaay back to 1993, when I was bulk-loading 9mm lead rounds for my MAC-11. One day, I was teaching a lady friend to shoot and she was shooting my Beretta 92FS.
I heard a pop, but the slide didn’t budge and the hammer was still down. Sure enough, a squib load about 1” into the barrel. Since then, I always keep a wood dowell in my kit, but haven’d had to use it since.
It happens to the best of us.
Thank you. I’ve had primers that didn’t fire, but never had a round that did not leave the barrel or appear to be over charged.
http://www.titanreloading.com/presses/classic-lee-loader
Classic Lee Loader. Everything you need to reload one caliber in a small kit. No messing with dies, and the only powder measure you have is a scoop that is sized to measure one precise charge into a case. Powered by a wooden mallet.
Look it up on Youtube. It’s easy and makes good ammo.
Not the same. Brass stretches and is compressed again for each go-round. I’m comfy with loading my .45’s ten times, but maybe not twenty. There’s other indicators, like not completely clean brass insides.
Point is, not-new brass is detectable.
And if I should use one of my 45 flying pigs, they’d probably get me for a hate crims.
I was using ‘killer’ as its somehow more diabolical than other identical ammo. That is, you made it w/ extra killing power in mind...that sort of ‘logic’.
Yes, no doubt theres a high change the weapon will be retained by the police. However, I still doubt theyll go to the extreme of trying to analysis your ammo. The key thing is to keep your mouth shut. Let them investigate if they care to.
Massad Ayoob has done work on this before.
I have NEVER seen a single reference to a court case where this has been an issue. I've heard it bandied about since the alt.survival usenet days.
I certainly don't intend to volunteer ANY information to LE.
/johnny
/johnny
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