Newbie Mistake

M

mcd_sports

New member
Made a newbie mistake today.

I went to Walmart to buy ammo before going to the range since I now own my own gun and don't have to buy range ammo. Unfortunately, they did not have the 100 count 9mm Winchester box I wanted so I saw some Tulammo and RSW and thought, I guess I can try running that through the gun and see how it does. In my newbie-ness I didn't realize that both of these were steel case rounds. So, when I got to the gun range (an indoor range), they wouldn't let me shoot the ammo I bought and I had to buy thier ammo anyway.
So now I am stuck with 2 boxes of ammo I can't shoot at any of the ranges that I have been going to, and I have them at the house (which my wife is not cool with until I get a gun safe that is coming in in the next couple of days).

Can I put them up for a local FTF sale in the sale area here or is that against the rules?

Anyone else do something dumb like this when they started out?
 
No worries!

I've done lots of stupid stuff...

Luckily, the range I go to allows steel cased.

Don't dare sell it. Who knows when you might need it, eh? Just tuck it away in your safe for a rainy day ;^)

ETA: Oh, sorry, missed the bit about the wife and the safe - hehe. I'd just talk it out with her and agree to hide it somewhere in the house until you get your safe. If she doesn't agree, I'd hide it from her, but hey that's just me. I'd rather have the ammo around on the off chance I needed it to protect my loved ones.
 
Yea... she does not know about my mistake yet.

Hopefully the safe will be here Monday or Tuesday and I'll just slip them in there.
 
Yours is a rather minor and understandable mistake. I have two friends, both experienced shooters, who purchased on-line a large quantity of bullets when they intended to buy cartridges. That price was too good to be true. Neither reloads, so . . .
 
She'll be OK with it once we get the safe. I have 4 boys... Only the one who went with me today knows there is ammo in the house.

I tried. I called Wally-world to see if they would take it back, but there are laws against taking back firearms and ammo.

I know better next time. Like Mr James said, it could have been much worse...
 
I seriously doubt there are laws about it in your area.
There may be civil liability concerns, but likely not criminal.

On my personal scale of noob gun mistakes this doesn't even register. You walked out of a walmart with the correct cartridge type your first time out. I didn't. Someday I will remedy that mistake by buying a 357 sig though, so maybe it was an expert strategy, not a noob mistake.
 
Your wife isn't cool with you having a couple boxes of ammo at your house?
That just boggles my mind.
Click to expand...

I must say that I am boggled by that as well. She isn't worried about the gun itself, but is freaked out by a couple boxes of ammo?

I don't get it. Sounds like an opportunity to do a little education.
 
I don't think the OP made a mistake so much as he was misled.

The Tula and RWS ammunition uses steel-jacketed bullets, which can cause sparks and fire when used at many ranges. The problem is that the box doesn't specify that anywhere, and the retailers selling it aren't making any effort to communicate it to customers.

This isn't just something that bites new shooters: many folks are ending up with ammunition they can't use and can't return.
 
What ever the situation at home with your wife. It is what it is. If you have a garage there may be a spot there to store your ammo. In the trunk of your vehicle or perhaps a close friend or family member could also do you a favor for a short time. As far as selling. Maybe the occasion will arise once you get to know a couple shooters at a local pistol range who just may take it off your hands at a reasonable price. Keep in mind your local Range is in the business selling ammo. Anytime they suggest to a customer to stop purchasing their own ammo off site is a plus in their bottom line. As far as: [QUOTE Anyone else do something dumb like this when they started out? [/QUOTE] I sure have. Its called "impulse buying."
Bought many a rifle and hand gun that way over the years. But I've only bought 2 weapons for my needs to date. My wife who doesn't hunt or target practice owns the other 18. All given by me as presents for her benifit. Reason being: "Because I thought maybe she needed it / one." Good luck with your dilemma mcd_sports.
 
Why wouldn't a range allow steel-cased ammo? The range I used to go to sold it, would allow you to use it on their range. Of course, they just sold it to you, that may make a difference. P.S. a previous poster said you can never have too much ammo. He's right. Stick it in attic by door, that's a good idea.
 
Don't let it get to you, we all have done something similar before or one day will. Years ago before I knew better I got a box of CCI Blazer in 38 Special. I fired it in a Colt Python. When I inspected the casings and saw more than 60% were split I decided now more for me. I was afraid that the casings splitting on the side like that could damage the cylinder walls. I chose not to chance it after that.
 
We all make mistakes. Maybe this will save you from a much larger one in the future. You might check with Alpine in Kennedale and see if they would let you shoot them there. They have some ammo restrictions but I think these are mostly for the rifle range.

When I was shooting a lot of 357 Sig I had three different people I was aquainted with bought Sig ammo thinking it was 357 Mag. I do not expect sales counter people at big box stores to know anything about the ammo they are selling.

Have a great day.
James
 
Steel cased is perfectly safe. It is more brittle which is why you can't reload it but there is no problem with the case splitting after firing. Split cases brass or steel is not a safety issue(split after firing, don't load and fire a round with a split case). Steel jacketed does not concern me either but some ranges don't allow them for the reasons posted above (throwing sparks). The chance of a fire is slim to none but their range their rules. I would hang onto it. Keep it locked in the trunk for a while until you can get a safe if the wife really does not want it unsecured.
 
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