Implications of Handloaded ammo for Defense

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Gunn Smithy

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In SASS I shot a 300 grain bullet with a case full of black powder (I now shoot smokless 44 mag) and the SASS load would probably take down anything I cared to shoot at. It got me to thinking, what would be the implications of using hand loaded ammunition to defend one's life? Or, is it just not worth it from a legal standpoint and one would be better off using an off the shelf box from a brand named ammo manufacturer? Smithy.
 
Your questions are not simple to answer and always open up a can of worms.

The short answer is that using handloads for defense has the potential for legal difficulties. For why, how and when those difficulties might occur there is no short answer.

Below is a link to the last big thread I remember TFL doing on handloads and defense. It fully explores your question and links to other threads from the past on the same subject. I feel certain that most any question on the topic is answered in the linked thread and the threads that it contains links to.

Reloads for Personal Defence
 
I don't see an issue, unless you are loading your own fletchette or chain rounds...

What's the difference if your .38 snubbie has a 130gr Independence FMJ, or one of your handloaded LWC 'target loads' in it?
 
This debate has been beat to death...Pun intended. But the bottom line is show me a law that says you cant use handloads for self defense. Actually I think all the debate is from keyboard commandos who think they are outhouse lawyers.
 
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Read the old threads. As others say, it isn't against the law. As I say many things are not against the law but are better for you if you don't do them.
 
This debate has been beat to death...Pun intended. But the bottom line is show me a law that says you cant use hand loads for self defense. Actually I think all the debate is from keyboard commandos who think they are outhouse lawyers.
Click to expand...

Nothing says its against the law. Problem is (POSSIBILITY OF PROBLEMS IN THE COURT ROOM) if used in SD.
I believe that Massad Ayoob a member of this forum, former LE, current instructor and is called as a expert witness in shooting cases nation wide whether its LE involved or civilian SD shooting differs on your opinion. I would value HIS opinion over your opinion, and as you stated are you a keyboard commando? Perhaps a poop house lawyer? Your words not mine. Do some searching about the subject and as stated it has been beat, abused, and shot to death on this forum.

It is America and use the ammo you fell comfy with regardless of type( home rolled or factory)


I don't see an issue, unless you are loading your own fletchette or chain rounds...

What's the difference if your .38 snubbie has a 130gr Independence FMJ, or one of your handloaded LWC 'target loads' in it?
Click to expand...

The factory ammo has a multitude of testing and QC behind there ammo and it can be verified in court and at the range and accepted by big brother as the Gospel. Our reloads will have some data to state what is in our loads but no where near the backing of factory ammo.

I'll pose this statement as the prosecutor. The person felt that factory ammunition was NOT deadly enough so he made his own even more deadly ammunition. Possible, oh hell yes and are you willing to gamble on it.
I'll close with this, using factory ammo in our SD guns eliminates one obstacle in the courtroom if we are involved in a SD shooting and the state attorney decides to prosecute.
 
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Not bad, it only took 6 post for someone to mention Massad Ayoob's name. Everyone thinks he's the holy grail of firearm knowledge. Sorry but personally I thinks he's a very good salesmen. His product is FEAR and he does and wonderful job of selling it.
On a side note I'm more than sure I will get slammed for saying this. Maybe even banned. Oh well, I've always been one to take chances.
 
Yep, I mentioned his name and I'll request him as the expert witness if ever needed long before I would think of calling you. Like so many have stated as well as myself 99% of what we read and post here is nothing more than opinions such as the topic and replies on this thread.
 
This debate has been beat to death...Pun intended. But the bottom line is show me a law that says you cant use handloads for self defense. Actually I think all the debate is from keyboard commandos who think they are sh!thouse lawyers.
Click to expand...

+1
Show me a case where the use of handloads lead to a conviction in the case of a righteous shoot. If you find yourself before a jury, you have failed some tests:

1. The police did not believe your story.
2. The prosecutor did not believe your story.
3. The grand jury or the judge who bound you over for trial did not believe your story.

There is every chance the trial jury will not believe your story.
 
The first response to your question contains a link that goes into this subject extensively. It contains responses from police officers, expert witnesses, lawyers, and prosecutors and combined with the links is about as detailed a discussion of the subject as I've ever seen. There is literally no angle to this that hasn't been discussed in detail in that link.

People seemed to have formed their own hardened opinions on the subject at this point, so all that happens when anyone asks this question now is the argument goes around in circles with the same nonsense being repeated over and over.

salmoneye said:
What's the difference if your .38 snubbie has a 130gr Independence FMJ, or one of your handloaded LWC 'target loads' in it?
Click to expand...

Discussed in detail in the link above.

TMD said:
But the bottom line is show me a law that says you cant use handloads for self defense.
Click to expand...

Strawman. Not once in the dozens of times we've had this debate has anyone argued that handloads are illegal to use in self-defense. The problems relating to handloads have nothing to do with the legality of handloads and people who try to characterize the issue that way clearly don't understand the problem. The link above can explain this in great detail.

thallub said:
Show me a case where the use of handloads lead to a conviction in the case of a righteous shoot.
Click to expand...

And there is the other common discussion that results from this... I won't bother explaining all the problems with that statement since it too has been discussed a dozen times in the previous link.
 
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