Range officers and reloads

[steves86ta]

Hey all,

I've been here a long time but have kind of taken a break from the hobby.

I've been shooting primarily BLM land for the last few years. Other than an indoor range here and there i havent been to a range more than 4 times in the last year.

Well i reload, and have been for awhile. I took a break for a few years but i had a rather large stockpile to work from. I have recently started going to some new to me ranges and while the ranges are nice. Ive had range officers that have been very interested in my reloads.

I mean lots of questions, digging through them (i keep them in ammo cans) and wanting to know the load data etc.... Now i dont load up anything nuclear... most of my 40 (which is almost all i shoot) is 4.5grn of 231 and a 180 bullet. So its not nuclear or a loud bang or anyhtin. Just a nice reliable accurate load.

I do not understand this new scrutiny thing

Is this the new normal? To many novices loading and making mistakes causing issues? Or do i just look like i dont know what im doing lol

[NoHeavyHitter]

If people "know" that you are shooting reloads - it's because you probably talk too much. But, no - I've never had any expanded scrutiny even when I shot reloads, but then I don't advertise the fact either.

[steves86ta]

If people "know" that you are shooting reloads - it's because you probably talk too much. But, no - I've never had any expanded scrutiny even when I shot reloads, but then I don't advertise the fact either.

thats an interesting assumption.... i dont know a single person that goes around yelling im shooting reloads...

In my case all my reloads are in an ammo can, i dont necessarily tumble all my 40 brass so it looks dirty. with that said. If i am asked if they are reloads im not going to lie to the guy... that was the case last time, he asked if they were reloads and i said yes. Thats when he started with the interrogation

[Divernhunter]

I have had no problems.
I also RSO at a couple of ranges and never ask about peoples ammo unless they seem extra loud. And that is where it ends. I am just curious about it. I ask no more questions unless I see a lot of duds.

[NoHeavyHitter]

he asked if they were reloads and i said yes. Thats when he started with the interrogation

Like I said...

I get asked questions all the time, like who I'm voting for president. I simply say what "people want to hear" and move on.

When I used to go to public ranges, it was to shoot - not to sit for questioning.

[sghart]

I never talk to people at the range. I don't answer questions.

I have ear plugs in for several reasons.

Loose lips sink ships.

[xfer42]

He was probably just pretending to have some interest to give him time to look through your stuff. Also so you would just show him. All in hopes he will find something prohibited.

[9Cal_OC]

What range?

Was it Lytle Creek?

[Milsurp1]

Some ranges are particular about ammo where the targets are steel due to ricochet or penetration concerns.

[hermosabeach]

Do the range have restrictions on Ammo?
Aluminum case
Steel case
Hard cast bullets
Steel / bi metal

[Cowboy T]

As a former range officer, I also reload. I actually relaxed a bit when I found that the customer was shooting his reloads, because bi-metal (steel and copper) jackets are hard to find in handgun-type bullets. Jacketed component bullets all have, from what I've seen, all-copper surrounding the lead. Never ran into a reload that attracted a magnet unless it was a steel *case* reload. Since we were really looking for steel in the *bullet* (spark hazard downrange), I didn't care about the case. We saw plenty of factory Federal and Winchester 9mm aluminum- and steel-cased ammo, respectively, and it was never a problem.

I *have* found some folks putting Tulammo in Winchester ammo boxes, trying to fool us. Since we inspected all ammo, I would catch this and throw them off the range.

So, as an RO, I *liked* fellow reloaders. I'd talk a little shop with them, one reloader to another, and it was always in that spirit.

[DueceMcGurk]

Our Range Officers check for steel jacketed or steel casings. As ammo becomes more expensive, this becomes a bigger range concern.
The first time we showed up he did everything but a colonoscopy on us. Next time less scrutiny and now just a wave hello. We are in fire country so a spark is a serious thing.

[steves86ta]

the looking for steel thing makes sense... i guess i was just surprised and didnt expect it.

But... there are a lot of newbies to both firearms and reloading so i guess i can understand their point of view

[fast54vw]

A few years back I went to firing line in Huntington Beach.
they gave me **** for every piece of ammo I brought. Hard cast lead, reloads, yada yada yada, you got a buy our ammo. so I just picked all my **** up and left and have never been back

[Epaphroditus]

Lots of reasons not to go to public ranges.