anyone handload self defense ammo

paulyseggs · 03-16-2003, 05:30 PM

anyone here load their carry ammo for self defense?? i;ve heard both sides of the story, personally i don;t see a problem with it and many others i know do load for themselves in the same manner, just curious

Russ otten · 03-16-2003, 07:01 PM

I reload my ammo for my carry sidearm. I load 158 gr. XTP over 5 gr. of Unique for my .357. The one thing that I do different from my other reloads is that I seal the primer to prevent moisture from getting in the cartridge. I put a film of fingernail polish in the primer pocket and then set the primer while still damp. This film must be kept thin so that it will not seal off the primer hole. It is a good way to identify my carry loads as they will show a red ring around the primer. (Red fingernail polish, that is.) My one wish? I hope that I never have to use this cartridge on anything but a target.

Mark whiz · 03-16-2003, 08:03 PM

I load all of my defense rounds as well..............32ACP, .38Sp, & .357Mag. I load these for best accuracy, not necessarily best knockdown power. The .32ACP is actually on the hot side of the load chart - but that is what my little Beretta wants to feed dependably & shoot accurately. In the .38 & .357, I use about 80 to 85% loads of Red Dot & Win 231 respectively.

Many argue about the danger about handloads for defense, but the way I see it........any of the worthless, smarta** lawyers that want to push the issue, will do so - whether you handloaded a " killer" round and went to a store to specifically buy a factory " killer" round. The bottom line for defense is to make sure it is a " righteous" shoot (legal according to the laws of your state) and kill the target, do not wound...............you' ll save a lot of legal headaches & money this way.

handloader1 · 03-16-2003, 08:33 PM

I handload self defense rounds for my 9mm Lugar Browning High-Power; I use Hornady 124 HP/XTP' s. I would like to try 147 HP/BT/XTP' s, and see how they preform. Good luck.

popumm · 03-17-2003, 04:06 AM

Paul, I have read about using reload for self defense and It is strongley rcmd. against doing it. If you ever need to defend yourself and use you reload ammo the lawyer will have a field day with you,something about over kill?? I dont recall its been many years ago but ever sence I purchase factory ammo for personal defense. It just something the courts have made us do.I know none of us want to drop the hammer on another peson It will change your life a great deal and something you must be sure of before it happens.

NE Hunter · 03-17-2003, 07:38 AM

I think it goes to intent ... if you reload for defence you are " premeditating murder"

thndrchiken · 03-17-2003, 08:22 AM

You know just reading the thread and thinking about what the legal battle would look like, the one point that is completely forgotten is the circumstance and action that got you to that point in the first place.

wimp · 03-17-2003, 09:06 AM

Nothing but factory stuff for defense for me. I took a class and the 2nd thing the officer stressed after the situational justification was to not use reloads.

eldeguello · 03-17-2003, 03:01 PM

Why, I' d NEVER use a reload in a defensive situation, even if my gun happened to be loaded with ' em!!

paulyseggs · 03-17-2003, 04:15 PM

using my firearm to save my bacon or someone else;s is a last resort option with out a doubt. i;ve read possibly every book written on the subject. personally i;m a non confrontational guy, i' ll fight but it;s my last option.

and a few things that i;ve read i morally can;t agree with, one book said something (i;m not quoting but it;s the same jist) " if you don;t know the person turn the other cheek" i;d never be able to live with myself if i could do something to help another and i didn;t. just the way i am.

thanks for the input guys once again you fail to disappoint my queries