Are reloads bad for the firearm?

[Mr.RoDiN]

When I first started shooting, about ten years ago, I would feed nothing but new, factory rounds through my firearms. As ammo prices got higher, I started using reloads on certain guns (glocks). I know my glocks will eat anything. As time went by, I started buying factory reload, .223's for my AR. The only three firearms I will neve use reloads for, and this is a personal choice, is my 308 bolt, 223 bolt and my P7M8. I forgot to mention I buy CCI mini mags for my 10/22 and sig mosquito. So here are my questions.
1.Is it ok to use remington factory reloads for the AR?
2. Is it ok to use reloads through my H&K Usp expert .45?
Why do some people not think its a good idea to use reloads? Is there anything wrong with using reloads?

[bigmike82]

Absolutely not.

The only time when reloads can be bad is when you start exceeding recomended pressures. That can wear the gun faster (not to mention causing damage of various kinds) and is generally bad IF the gun is not designed for it.

Some of the guys with more experience will give further advice when they get around.

[ocabj]

I'm the other way around. I think it's bad to use factory ammo.

Seriously, I've got guns and/or barrels that have never taken a factory round. Pretty much all the guns I've bought since 2003 have never fired factory ammo.

Well, the Glock 27 I bought a couple months ago is the exception. I didn't want to take the time to develop a 'self-defense' handload. I just bought SXTs for it and that was it.

As far as my choice of using my own loads, it's simply because I know my loads are excellent quality. Especially the ammo I load for competition. I know my competition handloads allow my rifles to perform at peak capability because they are tuned for my guns.

[Mr.RoDiN]

I'm the other way around. I think it's bad to use factory ammo.

Seriously, I've got guns and/or barrels that have never taken a factory round. Pretty much all the guns I've bought since 2003 have never fired factory ammo.

Well, the Glock 27 I bought a couple months ago is the exception. I didn't want to take the time to develop a 'self-defense' handload. I just bought SXTs for it and that was it.

As far as my choice of using my own loads, it's simply because I know my loads are excellent quality. Especially the ammo I load for competition. I know my competition handloads allow my rifles to perform at peak capability because they are tuned for my guns.

Heres the deal though. I don't reload myself. I usually buy reloads. My .223's are all remington factory reloads. My handgun ammo is from Harry. A guy who is always at the glendale gun shows. I have neve once had a bad experience with his ammo. And Ive bought well over 10,000, rounds from him. Ive just heard horror stories of casings expanding because of it being previously shot and the dimensions never get back to the exact size and it can loosen up the internals of the gun. Old wives tale?

[dustoff31]

Ive just heard horror stories of casings expanding because of it being previously shot and the dimensions never get back to the exact size and it can loosen up the internals of the gun. Old wives tale?

Any case will expand when fired to fit the chamber of the weapon that fired it. You may have heard of the term "fire-forming."

Particulary in commercial reloading, cases are resized to standard as a part of the reloading process so it really isn't an issue. Sometimes handloaders like to use the fire formed cases and resize only the neck to hold the bullet.

[ocabj]

Oh, well in that case, I'm not a fan of shooting 'other' people's reloads.

As far as commercial reloads, aka 'remanufactured', the level of trust depends on the manufacturer.

*Lots* of people seem to put a lot of faith in smaller operations who sell reloads.

Will those reloads cause extra wear on your gun? Simple answer is no. The main thing you should be worried about is a catastrophic malfunction of the ammo.

[Splinter]

So far, I have had several bad rounds that were factory new. They are all loaded the same way. Things can get messed up first time around.

[Mr.RoDiN]

Will those reloads cause extra wear on your gun? Simple answer is no. The main thing you should be worried about is a catastrophic malfunction of the ammo.

Right, thats my concern. Because I have heard factory ammo being defective as well. So I figure, if its a dependable source, I should be ok. I really have to start reloading myself! Two things stop me. 1. I dont have alot of space in the house. 2. Its very time consuming. You see I usually have the boob tube on while cleaning firearms. But I would never watch t.v while reloading. I feel you have to concentrate a 110% Or somebody can get hurt real bad. Or worste...

[bigmike82]

If you're low on space, go the Lee Hand Press route. I've got all my reloading components in a single milk crate under my desk.

[jandmtv]

Heres the deal though. I don't reload myself. I usually buy reloads. My .223's are all remington factory reloads. My handgun ammo is from Harry. A guy who is always at the glendale gun shows. I have neve once had a bad experience with his ammo. And Ive bought well over 10,000, rounds from him. Ive just heard horror stories of casings expanding because of it being previously shot and the dimensions never get back to the exact size and it can loosen up the internals of the gun. Old wives tale?

I have shot a lot of Harrys reloads, not 1 bad round so far. He is my only source for .40 cal, and I used to buy .223 reloads from him for $220 per 1K. But now I reload my own .223. I still get .40 cal from Harry. Cant beat his prices.

[CSACANNONEER]

Heres the deal though. I don't reload myself. I usually buy reloads. My .223's are all remington factory reloads. My handgun ammo is from Harry. A guy who is always at the glendale gun shows. I have neve once had a bad experience with his ammo. And Ive bought well over 10,000, rounds from him. Ive just heard horror stories of casings expanding because of it being previously shot and the dimensions never get back to the exact size and it can loosen up the internals of the gun. Old wives tale?

The only safety problems I've had with ammo has been two ruptured cases about 18 years apart and from different brands and calibers of FACTORY ammo. I could have lost my eye while I was shooting Elley .22lr from a bolt gun. the safety of the ammo you are shooting should be more of a concern than if somehow oversized brass will wear out steel parts faster. BTW, brass is much softer than steel so, it isn't going to happen!

[freakshow10mm]

I don't shoot factory (save for .22 LR). All my guns get my handloads. Period.

I supply three local police departments with training ammunition. I supply one training facility with ammunition in Florida. Few commercial sales here and there. One of my most popular services is reloading customer brass. Rolling up some 150gr SP for my credit union manager's 30-06.

[Mr.RoDiN]

I have shot a lot of Harrys reloads, not 1 bad round so far. He is my only source for .40 cal, and I used to buy .223 reloads from him for $220 per 1K. But now I reload my own .223. I still get .40 cal from Harry. Cant beat his prices.

Harry Supplies .223? Im going to have to have a talk with him! He truly has great prices. His stuff is dependable.

[Timberwolf]

I have rifles that have only reloads through them from beakin to present, my own reloads though. If I had a choice between someone elses reloads and factory I'd shoot factory.

[Snapping Twig]

No one has mentioned it yet, so here's something to consider.

Lead bullets should be avoided in polygonal rifled barrels, check your barrels.

Other than that, so long as the loads are within SAAMI specs, you're good to go.

Other than my .22LR stuff, my firearms don't know what a factory load looks like.