How many of you carry reloads in your SD guns?

Carry reloads

  • yes

    Votes: 154 55.4%

  • no

    Votes: 124 44.6%
  • Total voters
    278
  • Poll closed .
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T

TennJed

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I posted this here because I wanted to get a measure of people who reload. I don't really want to rehash the legal should or shouldn't, we have all read that, but I just can't stomach paying for store bought ammo when I can reload so much cheaper.

I feel a good FMJ is fine for SD and don't see the need for paying high dollar SD ammo. I also want to practice, A LOT, with what I carry. I just can't rationalize spending big bucks to practice with top shelf ammo. But the question of legal issues does come up.

As of now, I carry my reloads. How many of you do also
 
Also, I just put a simple yes, no option in the poll. I know some of you may carry both, depending on certain factors. You can state those factors, but answer as to which you carry most often
 
Yes, I carry reloads, because I have had fewer failures to function with my reloads in the last 50+ years then I have had with factory loads.

And just so you know, you are totally wrong thinking FMJ is fine for SD.

And there are several reasons why.
Over-penetration, and lack of incapacitation ability leads the list.

rc
 
"Who told you that? Anything more than a 32 needs to have an expanding bullet. "
__________________


That is your opinion, other members have other opinions.

I carry my cast lead reloads....... 38 or 357, 148 grain double end wadcutters.
 
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I have a slight paranoia about an attorney Turing my reloads into Satan Sauce in a courtroom. First; I hope I never have to find out. Even with a solid ethics leading my decisions in carry and ultimate use, The Law can be the least of our worries.
I don't see myself using a firearm to protect property. Heck, if a car jacker wants the dang car - TAKE IT. Breaking into the house is another story. I personally take the barricade approach. You can have whatever you want from any other room of the house. However, if I had time to get up and shut/lock my bedroom door and the bad guy gets in, that's another story. I may be wrong in that thinking and I'm fortunate to never have to press the test. In the grand scheme of things, the jury will receive their 'education' in ammo during the trial. In my case, they will see that the ammo I use for carry and protection purposes is the stuff that any law abiding citizen can buy off the shelf. On the same token, I don' think ammo will be the 'main point' of a Plantiff's case, but anything that can make a jury's mind wander......
 
Originally Posted by rcmodel View Post
Yes, I carry reloads, because I have had fewer failures to function with my reloads in the last 50+ years then I have had with factory loads.

And just so you know, you are totally wrong thinking FMJ is fine for SD.

And there are several reasons why.
Over-penetration, and lack of incapacitation ability leads the list.

rc
Click to expand...


chris in va said:
Who told you that? Anything more than a 32 needs to have an expanding bullet.
Click to expand...
I understand how it preforms. plated along with lead cast are what I buy in bulk. I carry a 380 more often than not (lately, used to carry mainly 9mm, but I have recently switched).

Like I said, I like to shoot my carry gun a lot. I want to shoot it with what I carry. I understand it doesn't expand and goes deeper, but it is a cost thing for me. Honestly with 380, I am carrying a 95gr lead cast. Just like caliber debate, I feel placement is the most important thing. I don't feel under gunned when I carry

Which is why I started this thread. To see what others do.

Where does everyone get their bullets and what do you carry? If the cost isn't much more maybe I will switch


ETA I want to clarify, actually when I say FMJ, I am referring to plated. My understanding is the only difference being the thickness of to "jacket"
 
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Up until the 2008 shortage I would only carry factory. Now I see things differently, and have reloads in most of my carry guns. Waiting for 357 bullets to be available and I will work some loads up which will complete the change.
 
As you sit on the witness stand...

Attorney: are you a qualified ballistician or forensic expert?
You: no, I'm not.
Attorney: so you tested these rounds with a proper pressure tester like all the major manufacturers are required?
You: uh, no.
Attorney: so u know the exact pressure and velocity and penetration of the cartridges you loaded?
You: well not exactly. The Speer Manuel said they were in SAAMI spec.
Attorney: yet, you did not test them in a laboratory controlled environment?
You: no, I did not.
Attorney: so u loaded extremely lethal killer bullets?
You: no of course not!
Attorney: where is your laboratory research and development documents to deny you did not load extremely lethal bullets.?
You: again, I don't have them.
Attorney: so Mr Smith you made your own extremely lethal ammo? Why?
You: it's not extremely lethal.
Attorney: it's clear you do not have any research or scientifically approved tests to prove this?
You: no I do not.
Attorney: why didn't you just buy factory ammo? The firearms and ammo industry is so vast. Do you think you have greater knowledge than the ammo experts at Hornady, Remington, Winchester, Nosler or other numerous ammo experts?what training do you have to qualify you to make better ammo than these multi million dollar companies?
You: I don't.


This is just an example of the questions you will be asked on the stand if you use your reloads in a SD or HD scenario in court.

In other words: DO NOT USE RELOADS..!
 
I did carry reloads but then I became LE. Now I carry only department approved ammo so if I get into a shoot I won't be found out of policy.

Where does everyone get their bullets and what do you carry? If the cost isn't much more maybe I will switch
Click to expand...

The best place to buy SD ammo is online from people who sell the 50 round LE only boxes.

LE only box of 124gr Gold Dots: 60 cents a round http://www.kylesgunshop.com/store.php?seller=KylesGunshop&navt1=50216&pd=2231362

Civilian box on 124gr Gold Dots: $1.14 cents a round. http://www.brownells.com/ammunition...1=APP_9 mm Luger&avs|Manufacturer_1=CCI/SPEER

Almost double the price for the same bullet.

Like I said, I like to shoot my carry gun a lot. I want to shoot it with what I carry.
Click to expand...

That's a poor excuse but ultimately it's your poor excuse. Just don't forget you are accountable for every bullet you fire. You won't find any defenses to prosecution if a stray bullet hits an innocent after it passes through a bad guy.
 
First off, the OP specifically said, "I don't really want to rehash the legal should or shouldn't" so why can't people on a forum honor his wishes? It's a simple question, Yes or No!

Secondly, I understand why you put this poll in the Reloading section but that might taint the results. I suggest you also make a poll in the General Handgun section and see what that poll yields.
 
If a person doesn't reload then they aren't making a choice.

Example: If I can't time travel then I am not choosing to live a linear existence. That is my only option.

Therefor it doesn't make sense to ask the question to non-reloaders.
 
I carry reloads mostly in revolvers when I can't find the ammo I want in commercial manufactured. For example I couldn't find any Speer Short Barrel .38's factory to carry in my snub nose but was able to locate a few boxes of the bullets to hand load so I carry them in that handgun. The same with 125gr JHP .357 mag and Gold Dot .41 mag.

There's plenty of police surplus available in 9mm and .45 acp so no need to carry hand loads.
 
In my .357's, I load a 180 gr XTP over an unGodly amount of AA9, in hopes of it achieving the speed of light.

Ought to do a number on whatever it hits. Sure knocks down a steel plate quick.

I originally developed the load for my Handi Rifle, then discovered it to be very accurate in my handguns.

Bring on the lawyers. I'll just explain that I was using my target loads, and that if the dead guy hadn't been trying to illegally try to gain entry to my abode, that round would have hit a paper target instead.
 
I voted No because I think Federal's quality control is probably better than mine.
 
NWcityguy2 said:
codefour, your just making things up.
Click to expand...

I don't think so. Notice that Codefour is in Northern California, and you're in Texas. Codefour may well be in San Francisco or Alameda County, two places where there is NO doubt in my mind you would face extreme legal jeopardy for any self defense shooting, not to mention with reloads.

Now, in Texas, my stereotype is that the investigators will look to facts and actual circumstances when deciding whether to charge you after a shooting. Reloads may, or may not, play a factor. But in EXTREMELY anti-gun, anti-self defense parts of the country, you need to make sure everything is as tight as possible. To do otherwise is to risk 145-to-life in state prison. Expect to serve 85% of that sentence.

I think we tend to generalize on these subjects, as if the US were a homogenous nation. The fact is that there are only minimal similarities in the execution of law between Coastal California, NYC, and Texas. What applies in one jurisdiction may have little application in another.

Based on Codefour's forum name, my guess is that he's also a LEO. If my hunch is correct, he probably knows what he's talking about, for his area.

I won't hazard to guess whether it's appropriate in other parts of the country, but in my area, carrying reloads is foolhardy.

-John
 
I voted NO because my favorite carry bullet is the Federal HST for 9mm, and 40s&w, and HST +P for my .45acp. As far as I know Federal does not sale the HST bullet. I DO have 2k Gold Dot reloads in 40s&w since the Gold Dot bullet is on the top of FBI chart with HST, and Win Rangers. I also reload all of my .223 SD ammo with Barnes Tac-X bullets.

http://demigodllc.com/~zak/firearms/fbi-pistol.php
Do yourself a favor, and use a good quality HP if you decide to carry reloads.
 
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