Buy only factory ammo or reloads too????
- Thread starter funinsun
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Chad Young
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Hmm, very good question indeed. I am curious to see what other folks do. I, as a rule, only buy reloads either from quality sources (Georgia Arms in particular), or from local folks whom I trust. As a rule of thumb, I am known to buy revolver cartridges from reloaded sources without hesitation because the revolver is more tolerant of reloader errors than automatics. The only reloads I use in automatics are my own, and even then, I do not normally use them for competition, just for practice and plinking.
Lee has a setup where you can get a press, dies, and stuf ffor loading a particular caliber completely set up for about $129. Frankly, if you shoot a lot of a particular cartridge (like .40 Auto for me) it makes more sense to reload your own to your own specs. Even with primers, powder, and bullets, $200 can get you the aforementioned press and enough supplies to load over 1,000 rounds of 9mm.
Lee has a setup where you can get a press, dies, and stuf ffor loading a particular caliber completely set up for about $129. Frankly, if you shoot a lot of a particular cartridge (like .40 Auto for me) it makes more sense to reload your own to your own specs. Even with primers, powder, and bullets, $200 can get you the aforementioned press and enough supplies to load over 1,000 rounds of 9mm.
A good rule to observe is to NEVER use someone else's reloads.
Factory reloaders are generally OK, and there are some that are as good and consistent as the original factories. But I do not recommend any small reloading outfits, or even the less expensive factory ammo for "the real world". Use "el cheapo" ammo for practice; buy only the best if the chips might go down.
As for your buddy's reloads, does your buddy carry enough insurance to compensate you for loss of an eye or hand? You know the answer. I know of at least two shooters whose guns were destroyed (fortunately no injury) "trying out" friends' reloads. Nuf sed.
Jim
Factory reloaders are generally OK, and there are some that are as good and consistent as the original factories. But I do not recommend any small reloading outfits, or even the less expensive factory ammo for "the real world". Use "el cheapo" ammo for practice; buy only the best if the chips might go down.
As for your buddy's reloads, does your buddy carry enough insurance to compensate you for loss of an eye or hand? You know the answer. I know of at least two shooters whose guns were destroyed (fortunately no injury) "trying out" friends' reloads. Nuf sed.
Jim
I only shoot my own reload and some factory ammo (carry ammo to make sure they work okay). I never buy or shoot someone else's reload but I would shoot reloads from some factory like Georgia Arms. I don't even offer my reload to other people unless it is reloaded for someone to their particular specs which I feel is safe.
In seven decades of shooting, many hundreds of thousands of rounds; I have trusted the reloads of myself and two others. I have had more dangerous factory loads than handloads. I practice and play with reloads but I carry factory for legal reasons.
If you can set up in a place where you will have no distractions, pay attention at all times....then reloading cuts the cost and increases the pleasure.
Most of what I shoot now comes out of a Dillon 550B, great speed, match quality consistancy and you have to go out of your way to get an overcharge. Larger calibers cost bout a nickle a round. Machine pays for itself very quickly.
Sam
If you can set up in a place where you will have no distractions, pay attention at all times....then reloading cuts the cost and increases the pleasure.
Most of what I shoot now comes out of a Dillon 550B, great speed, match quality consistancy and you have to go out of your way to get an overcharge. Larger calibers cost bout a nickle a round. Machine pays for itself very quickly.
Sam
Ahhh, does this relect upon your basic trust (or lack of?) in your fellow man? Is it a karmic harmony question? Physics? Statistics? Pure dumb luck? Whatever, but I never shoot anybody's re-loads but my own. Well, I did once back in 1972, but my dad chewed me out, my grandpa was mortified, friends shunned me for weeks, even my cat was pissed, and that was that. I was old enough to know better. I guess it's all your outlook on life. Some do, and survive I hear, no worse for the wear, and their gun's okay too. Have fun and stay safe
nwgunnman: I only asked cuz I did not want to piss my cat off...oh and cuz I thought it would be a intersting thread, so far so good. The main reason I don't buy reloads is illustrated by trlmech.
Ever see some BOLO at the range and say to yourself: "Man that guy could actually re-produce, and be a father."
If your me you then say to yourself: "Man, that guy could be selling re-loads."
Ever see some BOLO at the range and say to yourself: "Man that guy could actually re-produce, and be a father."
If your me you then say to yourself: "Man, that guy could be selling re-loads."
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by nwgunman:Ahhh, does this relect upon your basic trust (or lack of?) in your fellow man? ...[/quote]I don't think that it so much an issue of "trust". For example, I trust my sister-in-law a lot but I wouldn't want her to operate on me even though she IS a doctor but surgery is not her area of expertize.
To get back to the trend, I use only factory reloads.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
To get back to the trend, I use only factory reloads.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD