Factory reloads? For Mas et al

[ksxdguy]

First, I don't want to polarize this question by getting into whether or not one should use reloads for self defense. Let's just say, for the sake of the argument, that one shouldn't. For that matter, I wouldn't, no matter where the debate might go. Anyway, a local gun shop sells some really good reloaded ammo from a company called HSM, out of Missoula, MT. I've used a couple of .45 ACP loads that have proven very reliable. One uses the Gold Dot 230 grain HP bullet and the other the Gold Dot 200 grain HP bullet. They are obviously reloads, or re-manufactured loads evidenced by various head-stamps and even some nickel cases thrown in.

My question: in this case, what are your opinions as to whether or not one should carry these for self defense? The price is awesome and I would like to carry these, but I personally believe my reloads would not be the way to go. How about these HSM reloads?

I appreciate any and all opinions and responses. Thanks.

 

[Kindrox]

I don't know if the reloads a friend purchased were from HSM, but the gun show dealer said they were from a large reloader in MT. A significant fraction would not chamber, the diameter was a little too large for an HK USP.

Frankly, I think your own reloads for SD is ok if you really do quality work. But reloads from some reloader you don't really know sounds a little to suicidal for my taste.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Just one man's opinion...

There are two considerations to the "reloads for self-defense" issue.
1. Reliability - are you absolutely certain that the round needed to save your life was properly constructed?

2. Over-zealous prosecutor - "Factory ammunition was not lethal enough for Mr. ksxdguy; he had to go to his workshop and concoct his own brew to ensure that no one would survive a shot from his weapon."

It seems to me that the "factory reloads" you describe would overcome consideration #2. If you're comfortable with the answer to #1, then go ahead and use them.

 

[massad ayoob]

The big problem with reloads -- from the court side, anyway -- is difficulty replicating gunshot residue (GSR) patterns if that becomes critical to establish the distance at which the shooting took place, as it often does. (It is an issue in four of the ten cases I'm currently juggling, eight of which are shootings.) This has been discussed to death here and elsewhere, and anyone interested will find more than they probably want to know about it by doing a THR search on "reloads for defense" and "handloads for defense."

Bottom line: unlikely that the court will take your word for what was in the reloads. Thus, critical GSR testing that could prove you're telling the truth might be kept out. This does not happen with factory ammo, so long as the defense can show what lot number it was.

Therefore, with "remanufactured" ammo, inquire with the manufacturer as to whether they keep "exemplar samples" of each lot of ammo they produce, available so that years later when you may need it they'll be able to come through for you. If answer is yes, problem is solved, assuming that the company is still in business when you need them all those years later.

As Desk Jockey has already noted here, using ammo made by a small manufacturer should kill the "regular bullets weren't deadly enough for him" argument.

After that, you need to look at non-court-related issues such as honest self-assessment of quality control; whether the ammo in your gun is proven in the field in actual shootings; etc.

 

[ksxdguy]

Thanks to all. I think my solution will be to use the HSM stuff for practice and buy the same bullet loaded in factory ammo for carry. Everybody take care.