Handloads a bad idea for defense?

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gedenke

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Mods: I hope I'm not crossing the "acceptable topic" line here...

What are your thoughts on using handloads for defense?

This is NOT about the weapon used, whether it be a rifle/handgun/shotgun, and definitely NOT about caliber or effectiveness. More like the aftermath of a (justifiable) defensive shooting. Not looking for legal advice here...if that was the case, I'd talk to a lawyer. Just curious what your opinions are on this.

Personally, I'm on the fence. I reload, so I don't buy much factory ammo. That being said, my house/carry guns are kept loaded with commercial ammo marketed as "personal defense". To me, it seems overpriced...whatever, I digress, . Some might argue that if handloads are used defensively, the lawyers will paint you the villain, saying you premeditated the incident and "wanted" to hurt someone. Now, if something that ridiculous actually stuck, well, who knows?
 
I think there is a slightly greater probability of getting 100% reliability with factory loads than hand loads. I'm sure some will disagree with that, but for that reason alone I tend to stick with something store bought if I think I might use it for SD. It is more expensive, but I don't shoot a lot of that ammo. I run some through to check for function and do most of my shooting with much cheaper ammo.

There is some concern over a prosecutor or jury seeing you as guilty with hand loaded ammo. Personal opinion here. If it is a standard load, loaded within specs with commonly available bullets I just don't see that as an issue.

If you're cooking up something "special" that appears to be more deadly, more powerful, or with exotic bullets, maybe so. You could probably get into the same predicament with some exotic factory loads. That is how the "Black Talons" became evil. The Winchester Rangers are essentially the same bullet, but with a more friendly sounding name.
 
I defer to Massad Ayoob on this one, he says "No reloads for self defense", instead find whatever the local PD uses, if an LEO only load, find the nearest civilian available equivalent.
 
jmr...agreed.

chris...oops! My bad. I did a quick search and didn't see anything. Guess I should've looked closer!

'Nuf said.
 
I second the suggestion to view the "stickied" thread offered in the link.

In my case,if I carried handloads,they would be the 200 gr SWC 45ACP loads I have for practice,target,etc.

I'm confident they are reliable,more disruptive than hardball ,less "vicious" appearing for the PC aspect.I am not concerned about those two issues.

Here is the big problem.If I were a bad guy and trying to get away with a shooting,forensic evidence would likely be used to help convict me.

A self defense shoot is different.I have said "Yes,I did pull the trigger on this guy" That does not have to be proved.
What my attorney has to make a case for is my shoot was justifiable.

Forensic evidence,such as powder residue,might be critical to my case.
It might prove I shot at 18 inches instead of 18 yards.

If I am using factory loads,ballistic data based on testing off the shelf loads is admissable evidence.

They won't even test my handloads,and that data will not be available or admissible.

IMO,that is the critical reason to use factory loads...and,BTW,that is what I took away from what Massad Ayoob had to say.
 
The stickied thread pretty much covers it, but my reasoning is really pretty simple.

1) How much is a reasonable supply of decent quality defensive ammo?
2) How much are a couple hours of lawyer's time (which, at best, is what you are talking about if this ever has to be explained... it could be far more than a couple hours)?

#2 is likely much much less than #1. Thus, there's just no financial incentive to handloading defensive ammo. Sure, there's other concerns, but on a risk vs. reward basis it just doesn't come off very well.
 
Home and ccw weapons get underwood ammo rounds, I am sold on their reliability and performance.. http://www.underwoodammo.com/ family owned, each bullet hand inspected, you can not beat that, and the product reflects it much more than the price.. I use it for hunting, home defense, and my ccw.. It always goes bang and I have bought a lot of it, I mean a lot, I bet I spent enough to buy a decent car with them boys, lol...

For plinking ammo I will use anything and reload myself, but if you want something you can trust your hunt or life with, I am confident you will like their stuff...

I see reloading as a way to save money when plinking, when it comes to hunting and defense expense is less of an issue, they sell 50 200gr 45acp xtp jacketed hollow points for $40, that is not terrible by any means and considering you will need very few to practice and keep your ccw or hd loaded its maybe $20 more than if you loaded them yourself over all you will buy in 5 years, lol...

For hunting same thing goes but you will use less, figure a box of 7-08 139gr is $30 for 20 rounds, hornady is around the same thing, I trust them over mass produced any day, especially for $5 a box when I will use under a box a year!!!!


BUT ANYWAY to asnwer your question, I am kind of in the middle of the road, while I don't reload them myself for defense, I buy a product that I trust more than an off the shelf box of say Remington defense ammo...

I love their 400 corbon, IMO the best defense caliber made if you buy theirs, I witnessed some ballistic tests with this stuff, AMAZING, you will almost feel bad shooting a bad guy more than once with this stuff, lol.. almost... I have a 1911 chambered in 4000 corbon, WOW, accurate and deadly..

OKK so I apologise to the op for breaking all of his rules on gun, caliber, ect. to asnwer the question, I wouldnt load my own, buy Kevin Underwoods stuff and sleep easy know you have some amazing HOT loads ready to unleash demons of destruction on any and all "bad guys"...
 
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A justifiable shoot isn't determined by the ammo you use.

The type of ammo almost never makes any difference in the outcome, nor any costs in defending yourself.
 
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