I have always had in mind an old admonition about shooting another persons reloads. Over the years I had older friends pass along ammo they have reloaded, but due to age, sold guns, etc. they no longer need. I have never used it. I am even reluctant to offer it to others. That said, I have often taken a few shots with a friend's gun when offered at the range. Opinions appreciated.

I would not shoot any reloads from someone else in any of my own guns. Their gun? Maybe.

No thanks, I have too much fear of the Squib.

Sorry. My body parts may be old and tired, but I still need them.

If I know the person and their reputation for good reloading practices, attention to detail, the loads are listed and aren't at the top of the reloading manual's recommended loads, I'd probably shoot them.

That answer would be...NO

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It is the Indian not the arrow

Was your friend a competent reloader? If so, blaze away without fear or trepidation......
It cracks me up when I listen to shooters that will only fire their own reloads as if they and they alone are the ONLY reloader in the world that is competent and trustworthy.

Randy

I have a couple of friends that I know their reloading habits. I would shoot their loads without a problem. But if I don't know who reloaded them, won't take a chance.

I stick with Bemike,Growr and Slipnoz;after all,I too can make mistakes.But from an unknown person,I wouldn't.

I still remember the VD films from basic training. She's such a nice girl! She looks so clean! She says she has never been with anyone else!

50 years later and I've never had VD (honest, baby, I swear!), I've never had to worry, and I've never fired anyone else's reloads in my guns.

YMMV

Unless I know the reloader VERY well I stay away from those things.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

All of my friends that reload drink so the answer would be NO

Not even with their gun.

I've frequented too many reloading forums to ever shoot reloads made by someone I don't know lol. Same would apply to some people I know . . . for the same reasons. The cost and/or labor savings are virtually worthless in the overall scheme of things.

Of the one friend that remains after that culling, it sorta depends on the caliber and what powder he's reloading. I have NO concerns over perhaps getting a squib - they are easy to handle in pistols. I DO get concerned over possible overcharges or double charges, but they really are unlikely to pose serious issues in some caliber/component combinations.

I am in the process of getting some 8.15 x 46R cartridges loaded for a Schutzen rifle I own. My only alternative here is to used purchased reloads as it hasn't been commercially loaded in years. BTW: Licensed reloaders routinely sell pistol ammo in 9mm and 45 acp in bulk at gun show here at bargain prices. I've been using this ammo for years without any problems. As far as using reloads from acquaintances; It depends on how well I know them and if I'm familiar with their reloading practices. Again in my experience good reliable friends load good reliable ammunition. Would I shoot reloads from an unknown source? Not in a million years!
Jim

8.15 x 46R is sold on Buffalo Arms website.

As far as shooting someone else's reloads? I would do it only with the reloader's guns. I do not and never would offer any of my reloads to anyone else. You can have the most reliable reloader out there, but mistakes can and will happen. Liability - Liability - Liabillity

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Gary
SWCA 2515

It all depends on who is doing the reloading. There are a couple of people I will shoot their reloads without hesitation; a good friend who I taught to reload and my younger brother. Other than those 2, not so much. I might pull them down from someone else and reuse the brass, primers and bullets though. The powder I would probably make a big pile out of and light it off to satisfy the fire bug in me.

If I know the guys attention to detail ok. I know of a shop in PA that has reloads on the shelf for sale! No way!

I'll let people shoot my reloads out of my guns and I would shoot someone else's reloads in their guns.

But I will not let someone shoot my reloads in their guns. I know what I'm doing when it comes to reloading but for that just in case I avoid it to not incur any liability if something goes wrong.

This answer right here!

Well, depending upon caliber, condition of the brass, value of the brass and what your time is worth, it might pay to buy a collet bullet puller. The bullets might only be good for plinking after pulling, but you'd have the brass and fertilizer for your lawn (powder).

never and I see absolutely no reason for doing it

I avoid any reloads, factory or individuals except my own, but if I know someone and have been in on some of their reloading sessions, consider then diligent people and the load isn't outside of the norm, I've been known to shoot them. It's not an absolute with me.

I was shooting his .22 hornets out of a friend's Thompson Center Contender and boy, were those things HOT! No idea what powder he was putting in them but I watched him put them together the night before.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Thats what I was going to say. Further, I would never give anyone else my reloading formula. If asked, I will copy a page from one of my manuals, and note the reference. We live in a litigious society and nobody is going to take me to task.

I just don't shoot anyone else's reloads and I won't reload for anyone else (and I've been asked a lot). I stopped using Freedom Munitions after using a few boxes of their re-man. ammo. If I don't reload it, it has to be factory ammo from the USA manufacturers. In 38 years I've never had a problem or issue; and I plan to keep it that way!

I’ve never had an opportunity to shoot anyone else’s reloads, and from what I know of reloading now, I don’t think I would. I would like to ask, however, what you think of having your kids shoot your own reloads. I’ve been loading for about a year now with no incidents, so just about everything that I and my kids have shot over the past year have been my reloads. Should the rule also apply to them; should I invest in some factory ammo for them to shoot when we go to the range, or are they OK with my reloads? So far, I’ve been extremely conservative and won’t load past the mid range of the min/max loads. I also use a turret press and at least visually check each load and weigh every tenth load(or so) to make sure there is no “creep” on charge weight.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

Buffalo sells reloaded ammunition! RWS was the last company I'm aware of the loaded new 8.15 ammunition and that was years ago.
Jim

But they still could make a mistake - it's human - and whether I sued them or not for any injury or damage, it could ruin a good friendship forever. If I do that with my own handloaded ammo, well, tough luck, it's all on me, but we'd still be friends.

I just don't shoot anyone else's handloads.

My good friend blew up a 1st gen Colt SAA with my reloads. Long story and it was new buy and the reloads were mild. We had a good laugh. I blamed him for blowing it up. he blamed me for me reloads. Stuff happens. Even factory ammo will blow up a hundred year old gun.

If memory serves me correctly Mike Venterino had this happen with a 1st generation SAA several years ago. He was also shooting mild reloads when the pistol let go and I think they decided it had something to do with the powder all shifting to the front of the case. If anyone knows anything further please correct this.
Jim

IMHO, YOU MUST HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF CONFIDENCE IN THE OPERATOR, BEFORE YOU SHOOT THEIR RELOADS---ESP A HOBBYIST. I HAVE WITNESSED A FEW GUNS BLOWN UP, BY BUBBA'S GARAGE RELOADS, IN MY 60 YEARS OF SHOOTING.....

I ROUTINELY SHOOT RELOADS IN SEVERAL CALIBERS, THAT ARE REMANUFACTURED AND MARKETED BY MY LGS. I HAVE BEEN DOING SO FOR 3 DECADES, WITHOUT A SINGLE PROBLEM. THEY ARE VERY ACCURATE, AND CONSISTENT, FROM BOX TO BOX---AND THE PRICES ARE REASONABLE......

FOR HUNTING, SELF DEFENSE AND HOME DEFENSE, I PREFER TO USE THE APPROPRIATE FACTORY AMMO, DESIGNED FOR THAT SPECIFIC PURPOSE.......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I have fired handloads from friends that I knew and trusted and would
do so again. I've had no problems with them. I have also bought and
used commercial reloaded .38 spl ammo from Star. Reloaded ammo
from strangers sold in estate auctions? No.

Even if I know the reloader is good, if there is no label stating what the ingredients are ( & powder wt's) NO THANKS. Either way not with my favorite gun, Rugers get first dibs for that honor.

Reloads from someone I do not know well or not at all? Oh, HEdoubletoothpics no!

Reloads from someone that I know well, know they pay close attention to what they do and the loads are no where near maximum? Maybe.

Do I let anyone else shoot my reloads? I've been a reloader for over over three decades. I have yet to have a squib nor a kaboom. In the past, I was asked if I would reload ammo for some of my friends. The answer is always the same. No. I do not wish to assume the liability for damage nor injury should someone shoot my reloads and have a problem.

I really get tired of hearing all the fear of liability thing. Anyone can get sued for anything, any time. I don't live my life guided by what a lawyer may or may not do. If people did that, there would be no volunteers for nearly anything. I have been at a pistol match and a fellow competitor didn't pack enough ammo for the match. I always take more than I think I'll need. He asked me if he could have a couple of boxes of my reloads. I couldn't refuse. Unbelievably, at the end of the match, his body and gun was still intact!

I am the family reloader and have dies and brass for everything I shoot and some stuff I don't as I inherited my step dads reloading stuff. So, no reason for me to shoot some one else's. But, I have a few friends that are the kind of people who do things in such a way that I would trust them to to reload some rounds for me. Could they make a mistake? Sure NOTHING and NOBODY are perfect, including me and the people and equipment in factories. Almost everyone says no to others reloads, but many of them will take the gun itself to a gunsmith and let him work on it. OH, send it to the factory. LOL. I think we have heard of enough problems from there.

Ya, I could sue the factory. Good luck with that. If its less than a $1000 gun the hassle wouldn't be worth the trouble. If its my hand or eye. I have insurance and even a big settlement isn't going to fix a mangled hand or eye. Life is a risk of some type al thee time. More dangerous driving to the range that shooting a good mans reloads

Heck, I wish I could find someone to reload my reloads.

Wish my neighbor had a Dillon!


Would be so much easier and save me a lot of "time"

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Still Running Against the Wind

I'm not knocking Ruger, the majority of my collection are Rugers.

But if I've tried a new reloading "recipe" my Rugers get the first crack at them. My Service Six is chambered for 38 SPL which means it is really a 357 Mag only cut for 38 SPL. My 44 Alaskan is such a tank it can accommodate mistakes.

I will buy commercially reloaded ammo at times if the price is right!

On the range I rarely NOW shoot anyone eases hand loads.

Back in the 70s A member I knew was shooting his model 19 with what he called maximum loads. Just watching him I could see they were stout. He told me what his recipe was and it was right up towards the high side but OK according to the manual.

I fired 4 that went boom, then the next one went BOOM

Good thing that round went off in my 27 rather than his 19. It was quite violent and surprised the heck out of me. We went to my nearby house and I pulled the remainder of his loads and surprise, surprise we found one with no powder. It appears that my 27 digested a double maximum .357 load. Based on what I heard and the muzzle blast and recoil I think the 19 might have grenaded.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Received ( given for some reason) reloads from a few people 38,45acp and some 44spl.-- spent time pulling bullets, throwing out the powder and reloading. Did a few at a time, actually worked out pretty well. As most have said, would not shoot someone elses reloads.

Even shooting my own loads I want to know more than what caliber they are. Pre printed peel & stick reloader labels are something even this tightwad will splurge on, & there should be (a current/correct) 1 on every box of ammo. I may not have my log book/index cards/rolodex/lap top, or whatever system you use to keep track of what you load, with me at the range OR I may have passed on. With the # of "warm/hot/gorilla" loaders out there, let's be careful.

I purchased a 25-2 from a private party a few years ago. He gave me 500 rounds of 45 Auto rim reloads with it. He reloads for his competitive target shooting hobby, and says he reloads for friends at his range.

I put them away and have never used them. Stuck with factory ammo only.

I just a little leary of shooting someone else's reloads. But then, factories screw up loading new ammo some times also.

Maybe I'm too cautious.

I count the reloads as my SHTF ammo stash. But I don't expect a SHTF in my lifetime.

Wimps wimps wimps wimps...golly gee guys. Where is your sense of adventure..the old risk taking feeling you had as a kid...remember?? And as a young adult...hey hold my beer and watch this, risk assessment? Only a couples reloads will I trust and I taught them to reload. And saying this I just looked at an estate from an old friend who recently passed away. A good reloader...but more than a hundred boxes of rifle reloads in his stash... His wife wants me to purchase them....and I don't want to. He must have more than 50 cans of powder in his closet too...some full...most not. I did purchase a Puma knife though..Called a Game Warden...Some of the 21 guns I do want.

I have a few friends that don’t mind shooting my reloads. We will be shooting plates. Usually have several guns on the table and I carry plenty of ammo. A couple don’t reload but will cabbage onto mine even if I’m watching them.
The ammo I dodge is reloads at a gun show. A friend of mine blew the grips off his Sig 9mm using gun show reloads. Cheap but risky.

There was an older gentleman who belongs to my gun club. He decided he wasn't going to shoot much anymore so he gave away all of his rifle and handgun reloads (thousands and thousands of rounds).

These reloads blew up two model 52s and at least one M1 Garand that I know of.

No I won't shoot another persons reloads and I won't let them shoot mine.

Many years ago as a young and impressionable youth I caught one dose of something I shouldn't have. This was back in the late 70's before AIDS/HIV. I was a callow 18 yo and the lady was the other side of 35 (and you think Cougers are a new innovation?).

I was once given some .308 reloads to shoot in my L1A1 SLR. I had no knowledge of the loader at all so I pulled them down, salvaged the bullets and reloaded the primed cases.

Early last year my gun broke down first day of a two day comp and couldn't be repaired. Another shooter who I have shot with several times but don't know away from the competition circuit let me shoot his spare 1911 .45 with my reloads.

A few months ago I was running a club shoot and someone turned up to observe. I offered to loan them my Kimber 1911 9mm as I had been sighting it in before the event started and I had enough ammo for it onhand. The other shooter replied he had ammo. My club president immediately said "We don't let others fire their reloads in our guns". Turns out the guy had factory ammo but had never shot a 1911 (only a CZ clone) so I was happy to let him borrow my pistol.

The first weekend of this month I was shooting my Kimber in a match when, on day 2, my front sight drifted loose and I couldn't keep it tightened (I had been relighting it after some sight mods and forgot to put some loctite in the dovetail after removing and replacing the sight) . My club president offered to let me gun share with him, but only on the condition I shoot his ammo. Not because he didn't trust my reloading (he has watched me shoot my reloads for years) but because his ammo was what his gun was sighted in for. Suited me, I didn't have to withdraw form the event and took all my ammo home.

This weekend I shot a competition. A club mate and off range friend was having issues with his 1911 A1. His ammo wasn't firing. He thought his firing pin was broken so I offered to let him shoot my spare 1911. That too suffered some misfires. I thought it was his ammo (his primers were quite high) but didn't have enough ammo with me for him to shoot too. Overnight he pulled out the firing pin and found the spring gunked up and semi compressed. Today he still had the odd misfire. But I have shot with him for years and trusted his reloading.

Bottom line, if it's someone I know and have shot alongside for some time then maybe I'd let him shoot my ammo. But if I don't know them then its factory or my ammo. If I'm borrowing a un then it is the owner who makes the decision.

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View from down under

Not to hijack this thread or anything, but does anybody know any firearms manufacturer that will honor the warranty on gun that has been firing reloads?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

THE ANSWER WOULD BE NONE.

I have offered friends my reloads to shoot. I always tell everyone at the get go, you should never shoot anyone else’s reloads in your gun and you are doing it at your own risk. Some will and some say no thanks. I am not heartbroken if they decline. If they choose to shoot my stuff I hold my breath till they are done. That would be a terrible way to lose a friend. I do not shoot other peoples reloads. If someone gives me their reloads I take them apart and remake them.

I would never consider suing a friend over something like this. It would have been my decision to use the reloads and it would all be on me.