anyone handload self defense ammo
 

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

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

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.

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

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.

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

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.

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

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.

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

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

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

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.

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

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.

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

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

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

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

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

unless they put you on a polygraph then you could always " not recall" where the ammo can from. not that i encourage lying in court under oath since it is a felony and your guns could be taken away. if you shoot ammo from one company then buy components that are the same and keep a box and a half next to the gun. just leave the ammo in the box all the time and carry reloads. if you have a lawyer with a decent brain then there should be not problem with carrying reloads.

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RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

I have posted the question of using reloads on HuntAmerica, AccurateReloading, and a couple of other boards before. There is often talk of what " could" happen or what it " could" mean in court. I suppose I will ask the same question here: " Does anyone have reference to an ACTUAL court case where the use of handloads was introduced as evidence in court?" What was the outcome? Not to be rude, but please don' t answer with stories of " heard it from a brother' s cousin' s girlfriend' s mom that somebody got in trouble for using handloads." I am asking for actual court cases.

I have asked this question to several gun writers and lawyers as well and always drawn a goose egg. From what I understand police departments are more concerned about handloads not being as " reliable" as factory ammo.

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

Here' s something to ponder that I have done as a defense load: Remington bullets -125gr.357, Remington cases -.357Mag, Remington primers-Small Pistol Mag.
Now let them prove they are reloads.;)

On the other hand in my state I' d bet the jury would care less either way. Even if it went to court.

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

GTBUZZ you nailed it on the head for me, thats what i wanna know but my cromagnun melon must not be up to it;s usual speed,


i wanna see some hard proof of someone going to jail because of handloaded ammo, my theory if i have justifaction to use my pistol my ammo shouldn;t matter

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

According to a Second Amendment attorney I talked to, it has never been tested in court. It would be next to impossible for a jury to prove " intent" just because you handload your defense ammo. Talk about circumstantial evidence! I reload all my ammo including what' s on my hip. Most of the handloaders I know are intelligent and aware enough to avoid 99.9% of the potential confrontations that could put them in a situation to be a test case. 90% of potentially lethal confrontations can be avoided completely just by being aware of your surroundings. The other 9.9% can be diffused without force if you keep a cool head. Unfortunately, the other .1% will be decided in court. Like someone else said, be sure it is a justified shoot and you shouldn' t have any problems

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

I can' t find a case that involves the establishment of intent by handloading ammunition. I still can' t recommend it however. 40 S&W Hydroshoks work good enough.

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

If I were using handloads for defensive purposes I might choose 200gr. SWC for my .45 acp.
Does one heck of a job on soft tissue and I could swear to the fact that it was intended for target shooting!

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

Most of the anti handloads for defense that I have read come from Jan Liberel who writes for one of the two main gun magazines. He is a writer but also act as expert witness in self defense cases all over the country. I carry factory loads in my carry gun. The FBI load which is 158 gr lead hollow point in my 38 special. However if my gun was loaded with hand loads when a problem came up, I would not hesitate to use them.

RE: anyone handload self defense ammo
 

I use a 230-grain Keith-type semiwadcutter HP bullet for target shooting, with 7.3 grains of Unique. A great target load!!