Is "remanufactured" ammo okay to use?

[I'm not crazy]

I just got my first gun (S&W 686+) so all this is new to me.

Getting ammo from my LGS has been challenging to say the least. I've started looking online and there's affordable ammo described as "remanufactured". I assume these are reloads and I understand the concern about using reloads from Joe's Garage bought at a gun show, but are commercial outfits more reliable?

In summary:

Is commercially remanufactured ammo okay to use in my new S&W?
Are they as regulated or have similar QC specs as new ammo?
Will it void the warranty?

Thanks for you feedback. Apologies if I'm posting in the wrong area...still getting orientated with the message board.

[Lead Waster]

Generally it's fine to use. If you stick to .38 special reloads in your .357, then likely you won't have an issue. Watch for squibs though (ie a pop instead of a bang from too little powder!) If it happens make sure the barrel is clear! (stick a chopstick down it with the gun emptied to make sure there is nothing stuck in there!)

Regulated? Nope, I doubt that, but reloads should follow a specific load recipe.

Warranty? Check your warranty.

[jchen76@gmail.com]

Just inspect ammo before shooting.

I've had no issues with Miwall Reloads in 9mm, 38 special. Little underpowered, but went bang.

LAX range reloads, had about 4 rounds out of 500 that had major bullet setback issues. The rounds that didn't have setback issues went bang.

[Bluemaxx51]

I've shot both 9MM and .40 S&W reloads from Freedom munitions and have never had a problem. Good quality prices which is great for range time

[003]

http://www.ammoman.com/357-magnum

http://www.ammoman.com/38-special

[Mayor McRifle]

I just got my first gun (S&W 686+)

Great first gun! If it were me, I would start with inexpensive new production ammo like Herters from Cabelas or RWS Geco from Target Sports USA. I just don't trust "remanufactured" ammo unless it was reloaded by me or someone I know.

[JeremyS]

I have shot multiple thousands of rounds from Freedom Munitions in 9mm (a couple thousand 9mm... 115 grn "blaster" and 147 grn reloads), .44 mag (a hundred or so), and .223 (about a thousand so far) and haven't had a single issue of any sort. No dud primers, no weird loads that seemed hotter or lighter than usual. They chrony as consistently as most brand name stuff. Burns clean enough. Maybe a bit smokier than most of the American brand name new ammo but it doesn't make my guns dirtier.

No complaints. Hard to beat the price.


I used to shoot a lot of Russian steel stuff but came to expect a couple of totally dead primers in every 500-1000 rounds. Plus it's dirtier. Plus the empty cases are basically trash. Even though I don't reload brass, I save all of my spent brass and either sell it locally for some calibers or just ship it back to Freedom Munitions on their brass return deal. They give you like $2.50 per pound. That was $74 off my last order with them. Kinda cool, and it more than makes up the cost difference between Russian steel cased ammo and brass ammo.

[scott_kart]

I also have had good results with Freedom Munitions 9mm, 40sw. 38 spl and 357, somewhere over a thousand rounds without a FTF.
Scott

[A-J]

It's going to vary by provider. If the price seems suspiciously low compared to other vendors, don't trust it. Thee are plenty of reputable vendors noted throughout the forum. My fave is good ole Serge (aka AmmoMan). Never had a single issue with his ammo (other than the shortage of) and always a fair price.

[dls]

I see regular .357 and .38 on the shelf at most stores now(Big 5, Dick's etc..)
Just go to walmart or wherever is close and get a box of PMC Bronze for $23~$26 or everywhere online.

[shda5582]

I also have had good results with Freedom Munitions 9mm, 40sw. 38 spl and 357, somewhere over a thousand rounds without a FTF.
Scott

That's assuming you can find any. I just checked the site and they have NOTHING in stock for the calibers I need.

[wamphyri13]

Licensed reloads are good to go. Will you occasionally run across something wrong, like squibs, bullet setback, funky cases, yes. But that can happen with factory ammo too. Not as likely, but ask some people about Winchester white box. It's up to you to visually check ammo before it goes in the gun. That will rule out bad cases and bullet setback problems. Squibs? Only after the hammer hits will you find those.
I've fired 1000s of rounds that were mostly reloads. I've bought from Miwall, and various other licensed sellers on gunbroker when the prices were good. The one and only squib I've ever had was from some old Midway branded .357 ammo. Bullet lodged just a little way down the barrel. Tapped out later with a wooden dowel, no problem. The powder was the issue. It popped, but was mostly clumped together and unburnt. I thought I was going to have an issue with it, so I tested it in a T/C Contender. All subsequent rounds went BANG! No further issues. Just don't buy, "some guy's" homemade reloads. You don't know what you're getting and that could be trouble. Licensed reloads are good to go.
Ryan

[I'm not crazy]

Thanks everyone for your help.

[cactuspete]

I've bought alot of .38 special and .45 ACP from Load-X. Never had any problems. As was said, be very careful with "some guys" reloads. Some guy at the range let me try some of his .357 magnum reloads. Big mistake.

[XDRoX]

Some guy at the range let me try some of his .357 magnum reloads. Big mistake.

I want to hear more