I reload most of my centerfire ammo. My common calibers at .30, .357 and .45. The Speer 100 gr Plinker is satisfactory for use in the .308, 30-30 and 30-06 applications. A 200 gr .452 is functional for 45Auto, 45LC, 454 Casull and 460. There is a caveat with the 45. Some of the bullets suitable for 45Auto and 45LC aren't suitable for the higher pressures in the 454 Casull or 460. You have to load "puff balls". That's perfectly fine for plinking and steel spinners. You want to buy first quality bullets if you are pushing 454 Casull or 460 through anything with a comp.
I don't reload. The only issues I've ever had with ammo was I bought some .45 reloads once, and they had a flattened tip. About every fourth round would jam in my Colt Combat Commander. Never had a jam with anything else, so I'm sure it was that the flat tip wouldn't slide up properly. I practically never get + ammo, but stick with stuff well within the range of the weapon frame. I'm just not sure how good it is for a weapon to be pushing ammo that exceeds the specifications. I also stick with name brand. Just cause it's in a store doesn't mean it's good.
On the weapons themselves, I'm not an expert, so I stick with weapons that are manufactured by good reputable companies. I owned a cheapo .22 pistol once, and every time you fired, a small chunk of metal would fly out the side. I think the chambering clipped a tiny piece of the casing. Caught one in the cheek, and sold the gun to a guy for very little, but warned him about the problem and why I was selling it.