Reloading using factory self defense bullets

[Lead Waster]

I have read many times do not use reloads/hand loads for self defense. What about all those Speer gold dots, Remington golden sabers, Hornady xtp, Lehi defens, and many others that you can load with? Say use the case from a Speer gold dot factory load and reload with a gold dot bullet at the same velocity? You could then load the ammo for better function and consistency in your gun.
Will the legel system use it against you?

I think only Speer makes unloaded bullets (gold dot hollow points) that match their defensive rounds. Other companies only sell the whole round.

What I would do is, buy some Speer Gold dots (loaded rounds). Save some for actual use, then use a chrony and test the velocity of some of the rounds. Buy the component bullets. Brass probably doesn't matter, primers probably don't either, but save the brass from the test rounds if you want.

Then based on the velocity you measured, try and duplicate that round using the component bullets. Then train with those rounds and save the "real deal" for when you might need them.

For the legal aspect, I can't chime in as I'm not a lawyer, nor am I read up on the subject. For me, if someone breaks into my house or threatens my family to the point where I feel I need to use lethal force, then I'll use it and if they ask me about bullets, I'll tell them that they can test my bullets if they want, but make not mistake, I was meaning to shoot the target, with the intent of stopping the threat. If I stab him with homemade knife, then so be it.

[Lead Waster]

I have found some factory rounds mangled or inert in boxes of ammo, and have never had a properly hand-loaded round fail, yet.

There is your answer.

A good thing to point out here is that we should all know how to get a malfunctioning gun working again. In a nutshell, tap the magazine to make sure it's fully seated, rack the slide to eject the bad round (who cares why it didn't fire, it had it's chance, now get out of the gun!), get on target and pull the trigger. Tap, Rack, Bang.

[Lead Waster]

Here's a short thread on another forum (The High Road), discussing duplicating Speer Gold Dot 124 gn 9mm.

What I got out of the thread was that HS-6 might be a good powder to use, and Ranier 124 gn HP bullets are a not-super-expensive-pretty-close bullet.

I would still buy real Gold Dot bullets (components) as well, because aside from practicing with the gun, you want to simulate as much as possible the OAL and bullet profile to make sure your gun will be reliable with the real round. Clearly, you must fire some of the real rounds too.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/replicating-the-factory-124-gr-speer-gold-dot-load.306027/

[sigstroker]

I think only Speer makes unloaded bullets (gold dot hollow points) that match their defensive rounds. Other companies only sell the whole round.

What I would do is, buy some Speer Gold dots (loaded rounds). Save some for actual use, then use a chrony and test the velocity of some of the rounds. Buy the component bullets. Brass probably doesn't matter, primers probably don't either, but save the brass from the test rounds if you want.

There are others. Speer 200 gr hollowpoints, the "flying ashtrays", you can buy, or at least in the past you could. I believe the full range of Hornady XTP's are available too. Probably others as well that I can't think of off the top of my head.

['ol shooter]

A good thing to point out here is that we should all know how to get a malfunctioning gun working again. In a nutshell, tap the magazine to make sure it's fully seated, rack the slide to eject the bad round (who cares why it didn't fire, it had it's chance, now get out of the gun!), get on target and pull the trigger. Tap, Rack, Bang.

Good advice if your primary is a pistol. My primary is a S&W 442, I have five chances plus a speed-loader full to get'r done. I can always blind them with the laser grip as a last resort.

[NeilMo]

Here's a short thread on another forum (The High Road), discussing duplicating Speer Gold Dot 124 gn 9mm.

What I got out of the thread was that HS-6 might be a good powder to use, and Ranier 124 gn HP bullets are a not-super-expensive-pretty-close bullet.

I would still buy real Gold Dot bullets (components) as well, because aside from practicing with the gun, you want to simulate as much as possible the OAL and bullet profile to make sure your gun will be reliable with the real round. Clearly, you must fire some of the real rounds too.


https://www.thehighroad.org/index.ph...t-load.306027/

I wasn't impressed with HS6 and 124 Gold-dots, neither in accuracy or velocity. Best powder and load I've found is 5.9 grains of BE-86. Through my 4"-5" barrel guns they'll average around 1185fps and group at an inch or less at 10 yards. Through my shorter barrel guns I take that charge to the max of 6 grains and it's still one of my best loads.

[Cowboy T]

I have read many times do not use reloads/hand loads for self defense. What about all those Speer gold dots, Remington golden sabers, Hornady xtp, Lehi defens, and many others that you can load with?

There's a video about that where a guy reviews several self-defense rounds, with a concentration on bullet expansion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R9UcRJ3Lsk

Say use the case from a Speer gold dot factory load and reload with a gold dot bullet at the same velocity? You could then load the ammo for better function and consistency in your gun.

I wouldn't mess with factory rounds, because there's no need. Actually, factory rounds are pretty well made. If you want to reload, then just reload.

Will the legel system use it against you?

Modding factory ammo is technically a reload. Nothing wrong with that, but don't then try to claim that it's factory ammo if you have to use it for self-defense. That's perjury, and that will get you in trouble.

As for the use of reloads, it depends on how anti-2A the prosecuting attorney is. In California, I'd be concerned about how they'll try to paint you in front of a jury. It's California. Same goes for New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and increasingly, Seattle or any other anti-2A environment. In Virginia, that's not so much of a problem, and I doubt it would be in, say, Texas, Wyoming, or Montana either.