Using hand loads in a self defence shooting.

[sammy]

Recently I received 1000 230g. Golden Saber .45acp and 124g. bullets. The idea is to load as close to factory specs to see how they function in my various guns in the safe. The reason is simply cost. I have 5 guns I would like to test and buying factory ammo at $1.00 a round is out of the question. Since money is tight, I only have a couple boxes of factory loadings that I am going to chronograph to compare my loads. This will leave me without any factory ammo. Then I was thinking, why not just use the hand loads? It has been discussed many times that this is not a good idea. A zealous DA could try and distort this in some way to make it look bad for a defendant but has that happened in the real world?

If you don't think it is a good idea, why and can you show an actual case where this has been used against a defendant? Self defence shooting are so rare as it is and where I live and work could be considered safe enough. Just throwing this out for discussion, not for flaming. Sammy

[robcoe]

If the DA decides to go on a rampage your ****ed either way

Handloads: "The defendant made super bullets specificly designed to kill as many people as possable"

Regular Hollowpoints: See Handloads just change made to used

FMJ Rounds: "The defendant used rounds designed to penetrate further, possably even through body armor, in order to make sure he killed, without thinking about shots that might go through a wall and hit a child"

Same Rounds the Cops use: "The defendant decided to play cop, then became the judge, jury and executioner"

I would not worry about it, use whatever you have, personaly I just use CorBon DPX factory rounds since they cycle very well in my guns and I dont have room for reloading equipment.

[den888]

I never would, even though the handloads I made years ago, were 100% reliable.

[reggie 00]

I picked No.

I have read and seen it discussed on shows where they say the ammo can bite you in the rear if your not careful.

Since hopefully self defense shooting are rare, I would find the manufacture/type/load that the gun likes and buy a box of that. Since you wont be shooting it often if at all the cost doesnt really matter. I would leave the handloaded stuff for practice/ competition.

The other reason and this is what they were talking about on the Tv and articles. I try to find what the local PD is using. That way if an over eager DA tries to use the ammo against me i can point and say well thats what the PD is using, good enough for them good enough for me. And i wont run the chance of the ammo being "to violent" or " designed to just kill" blah blah blah.

The third reason, not worth the trouble. A good handload would pull all the accuracy the gun has, would be nice if you were shooting Bullseye matches, where you have time to aim and steady your breathing ect. Self defense, i would be happy with a center mass hit, not to worried if my grouping is 1/2 inch.

[bombadillo]

Winchester Ranger T is what I keep. That or Federal HST because those are both known for law enforcement rounds and many carry this round. When asked why I used a hollow point, "Because I wanted to most effective round to stop a threat and it is what the local police department use so it must be effective..."

[Jonathan Doe]

Why worry? Just use whatever the ammo you have on hand.

[magsnubby]

No.

http://www.boiseshooters.com/index.php?topic=1883.0;wap2

[RedFord150]

No.
I hope I never fire a gun in defense of my family or myself. If I do, I want to be able to legally defend every step of my decision. This includes the gun, the caliber, and the ammunition I select.
I want my gun and ammo to be 100% reliable. I do not want to be killed while trying to clear a jam or misfire. For this reason I select a revolver and high quality factory ammo. Revolvers rarely fail to fire and factory ammo is generally far more reliable than any hand load.
I personally keep a .38 Special loaded with Remington +P Hollow points. I use hollow points to minimize penetration. I have practiced enough with this specific revolver to feel confident in my ability to hit my target with it.
I have larger caliber weapons in my safe. This includes .45 acp, .357 mag, and 12 gauge SG. No one can ever argue that I picked the deadliest weapon in my personal collection.
These are my opinions and my decisions. I do not expect anyone else to follow my path. Make your own decisions and act accordingly.

[Timberwolf]

Hell no!

They are a recipe for disaster in these days and times. Either an over zealous DA will say you specially loaded those rounds to specifically kill, maim or whatever or a bleeding heart liberal plaintiff's counsel will paint you as being just shy of Charles Manson, or both.

[cgseanp1]

No.
I hope I never fire a gun in defense of my family or myself. If I do, I want to be able to legally defend every step of my decision. This includes the gun, the caliber, and the ammunition I select.
I want my gun and ammo to be 100% reliable. I do not want to be killed while trying to clear a jam or misfire. For this reason I select a revolver and high quality factory ammo. Revolvers rarely fail to fire and factory ammo is generally far more reliable than any hand load.
I personally keep a .38 Special loaded with Remington +P Hollow points. I use hollow points to minimize penetration. I have practiced enough with this specific revolver to feel confident in my ability to hit my target with it.
I have larger caliber weapons in my safe. This includes .45 acp, .357 mag, and 12 gauge SG. No one can ever argue that I picked the deadliest weapon in my personal collection.
These are my opinions and my decisions. I do not expect anyone else to follow my path. Make your own decisions and act accordingly.

Why is factor loaded ammo more reliable than hand loads??? I can understand if you aren't experienced at reloading, but otherwise that doesn't make sense.. do factories use better components? I'm sure they don't. I guess manufacturing thousands and thousands of rounds in bulk makes them more reliable?

[Lancear15]

The DA will have no way of knowing if it was a handload or not.... and do you think they even care? Either it was a justified use of force for self defense, or it wasn't. Doesn't matter if it was a gun, knife, bat, HP, FMJ, hand load... whatever.

[Jake71]

Remember when Black Talons were considered "cop killers".? At least that's what I heard they were called before they were not made available anymore. Now I believe they are called Corbons? (have some for a gun I dont even own anymore)

I don't think it matters what you use but like ^ up top said.. they can twist anything around if they want to. If they want to convict you they are going to go after you with everything they can to prove your guilty of something.

For your sake, no matter what you use.. make sure it's a justified shoot and make sure they don't walk away. I 've heard stories of wounded bad guys sueing for everything the guy had and winning.

I doubt it will ever happen to me but if it does and I have to defend with lethal force, I'll feel pretty ****ty about having to shoot/kill someone but I won't lose sleep over my choice of ammunition.

whatever I have laying around is what I use in my guns..

[Timberwolf]

The DA will have no way of knowing if it was a handload or not.... and do you think they even care? Either it was a justified use of force for self defense, or it wasn't. Doesn't matter if it was a gun, knife, bat, HP, FMJ, hand load... whatever.

Don't kid yourself - I've seen that question come up in deposition both on the criminal and civil side.

[RedFord150]

Why is factor loaded ammo more reliable than hand loads??? I can understand if you aren't experienced at reloading, but otherwise that doesn't make sense.. do factories use better components? I'm sure they don't. I guess manufacturing thousands and thousands of rounds in bulk makes them more reliable?

How many people do their own handloading?
Is every handloader an expert?
Yes, factories make millions of rounds. The percentage of 'bad rounds' in factory ammo is miniscule.
I have personally shot handloads made by friends that have failed.
I have shot range reloads that have failed.
I have never had a new factory round fail.

Handloads and reloads are fine for practice. I simply do not feel thay are reliable enough for HD needs.

Do not take my word for anything. Ask an Armorer for a major PD why they prohibit anything other than new factory ammo in LE weapons?
Ask a shooting range employee how often they see new factory ammo fail vs. hand loads?

Again, these are my opinions. You can shoot anything you want in your guns.

[stphnman20]

I'll use any rounds that goes bang except Wolf ammo.