Reloading for others??
 

A buddy at work asked if I could reload some ammo for him and he would pay me for time and materials.
Can I do this legally? Or do I need some kind of FFL license?

What Ridge said.

I reload for my two of my brothers and my father...but would never consider loading for a "friend"...for the same reason RR mentions.

Besides all the liability issues involved your buddy must think your time has no value.
Not just no...hxll no.

I load for a very close friend. He likes guns but isn't much of a range guy. Every now and then he'll get one that doesn't shoot up to standard. I'll do the load development and range time, he pays for components, dies etc. I get the enjoyment of loading and shooting on someone elses nickel, he gets taylored ammo. Many people have asked, all but 1 have I refused.

Receiving a fee for services (time & effort) opens more than one can of worms.

You need an FFL if you are planning to sell your reloads. It's also a good idea to have tons of insurance. Not worth it in my opinion.

I reload for my brother, brother in law and nephew. If the guy seems decent (I've done this about 4 times, they never come back) I will them use my setup to reload there own under my supervision. That seems to be more to answer a "do I want to reload question" than anything else. But because of the liability, to answer your question, no I don't for any one but family

You do need a FFL

If your reloads caused something blow up you would be in so much trouble,
You could kiss every thing you own Good Bye, along with your being able to own guns again.
So Don't reload for a friend.

Ain't any way to keep a friend I feel. Even if you could win a law suit think of what it would cost to have a good lawyer to defend you.
And Never loan any tools guns or any thing else you like having.

Let him buy his own equipment and set down at his bench and run him thru the steps sans powder in a case.

:D Al

I'd do it for a very close friend of many years just like one did for me before I got all the equipment and started doing it myself. In those instances an FFL IS NOT required and the individual is taking the chance that nothing adverse will occur.
It is required if the person engages in the business of selling or distributing reloads for the purpose of livelihood and profit. See:

[18 U.S.C. 922(a) (i) and 923(a), 27 CFR 478.41]

That is one reason why charging for time & effort is such a problem. It falls under the classification of compensation (like wages or any form of self employment).

In all states (with which my firm deals) that requires licensing, reporting, taxes (Federal, state, & local where applicable). Failure to properly license can have dire consequences in the event of legal actions such as a civil suit - or worse.

I would be willing to make dummy (practice) rounds for people. But live ammo....no way.

For a few guys I've known since the 5th grade, I will load. Work buddies...not so much.

I understand the liability issue but it seems as though a few of you either don't know how to be or don't have any friends. Load for a "work buddy"? Never. A huntin buddy that I see a couple times a year? Never. A close lifelong friend? Yes, but only if I get the firearm to measure for overall length and do proper load development with. I have close friends whom I trust far more than some family members.

Close friends are special people. Certainly no decent person would charge a close friend for their time & effort. Probably a close friend would supply their own brass, primers, powder, and bullets - so no cash or any other thing of value would change hands.

I have some close friends. Close friends know the way the world is and is getting worcse. They don't ask to borrow things, they don't ask for me to load ammo for them either.
We stay friends because we are old enough to know the ways of the world today.

:D Al

No offense but I'm glad me and my friends don't live in your world.

It's good to know that no one here is judgmental...

I agree!, plus if he misses an animal with your reloads he's gonna blame it on you. :)