A day at the range: I'm glad I'm a handloader!

[Landric]

I went to the range with the PD to qualify today. I didn't think much about it at the time, but on the way home I started adding it up in my head. I fired about 450 rounds, only 150 of which were on the PDs dime. I footed the bill for the rest. For the record, it was 100 rounds each of .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and .45 ACP for my two off-duty guns and my BUG.

Until a couple of years ago we were required to shoot duty ammunition for qualification. That meant if I wanted to carry, for instance, Speer Gold Dots in my .357 Magnum, I had to fire 100 rounds of it every year to qualify (which, of course, doesn't include any practice). At least until a couple of years ago a 50 round box of Gold Dots could be had at the police supply store for about $25, but that was still $150 worth of ammunition for three guns. These days, if I could find the ammunition, it would be closer to $300. Obviously that doesn't encourage officers to qualify with off-duty guns. Luckily a few years back the state came to its senses (I expect mostly due to PD budgets, not individual officers not being able to afford to qualify). The rule was changed to "Duty ammunition or its ballistic equivalent". Now, if I want to carry say the 158 grain Gold Dot in my .357 SP101, I have to either qualify with it, or another magnum load shooting a 158 grain bullet at roughly the same velocity.

Enter the handloads. I load ammunition that is the ballistic equivalent of my carry ammunition for practice anyway. I figure my cost to qualify today, mostly because I just got into casting and therefore I wasn't shooting any of my own cast bullets today, was about $30. Next year I'd be shooting all my own cast stuff, and my cost will be less than $15 to qualify.

If I didn't handload, even shooting ballistic equivalent WWB or some such, I simply could not have afforded to shoot 300 rounds of ammunition, not with three kids and my wife having been laid off from her job. I have a coworker who didn't qualify with her .38 this year because she couldn't afford the $40 plus for 100 rounds of practice ammunition. I can understand that, I'm in the same position. Luckily we have another range date set for Friday, and I told her I would hook her up with some .38 Specials.

This ammunition situation has really gotten crazy. I don't know how anyone can afford to shoot factory ammo.

 

[Dale53]

Landric;
Well, you certainly have the answer to your ammo cost problem. Just be an "evangelist" for reloading and bullet casting for the rest of your department. It can be surprising how much influence an individual can have.

Dale

 

[DonD]

Thanks for your work as an LEO. We see lots of thank yous to the active duty military and that's well deserved, but LEOs deserve pats on the back as well.

Interesting post, glad the department has the common sense to allow some ammo flexibility. Frequently that isn't all that common.

Re casting, people post all the cost savings and I guess that can be the case. When I have tried to find a source around the local area, they all seem to be corporate chains and recycle the wheelweights etc and if you buy it from mail order places, the raw casting material is as expensive as bying from a commercial caster. Don

 

[sonny]

I went to the range with the PD to qualify today.
The rule was changed to "Duty ammunition or its ballistic equivalent". I have a coworker who didn't qualify with her .38 this year because she couldn't afford the $40 plus for 100 rounds of practice ammunition.

Most of you guys have unions, don't you? Even without one, won't the PD buy you guys a press that you can use in the basement on your off-time. Just a couple of cops could learn to use a progressive and turn out 400 rounds of .45 ACP per hour. Sorry to hear about the girl who couldn't even afford to qualify. This is not good to hear, and sorry for her and it hurts all of us if she can't work or shoot.
Holy cow. finally a project that would make good use of some of Obama's stimulus money...
Sonny

 

[2sigs]

Most of you guys have unions, don't you? Even without one, won't the PD buy you guys a press that you can use in the basement on your off-time. Just a couple of cops could learn to use a progressive and turn out 400 rounds of .45 ACP per hour. Sorry to hear about the girl who couldn't even afford to qualify. This is not good to hear, and sorry for her and it hurts all of us if she can't work or shoot.
Holy cow. finally a project that would make good use of some of Obama's stimulus money...
Sonny

Years ago this happened! I remember as a kid the department my Father was with did support an officer reloading for it's qualifications etc.

But never would this happen today in our society, there are just way to many reasons why and I think most people understand this, For a quick and painless example what would happen if bob loaded ammo on the depts. press and it was fired in Joe's gun by Joe and it was a KABOOM that left Joe blind??? nuff said

Yes a Big thank you to all of the LEO's here and keep safe

I was just talking about this situation with a good friend who is a Chief of Police in a very small community. He qualifies along with other depts. including the Cnty. Sheriff dept. they have been havin a dickins of a time getting ammo to use. Real shame and I support their cause by reloading my ammo so as they may have more ready roll available ;-}

I have kept an eye on shelves etc. for factory fodder and called with details officers who I know need it, maybe some of you will or do the same. I really get po that the large LEO Supplier in my area is feeding into this whole ammo shortage issue and not doing right by the Officers who buy from them.

 

[Spotteddog]

Every time I read a story like this I cringe.
Where would a VERY blue collar grunt like me be, if it hadn't have been for being taught how to reload by my Father? We (my generation) had the military, LEO's and general sport shooters all pulling in the same direction. Towards proficiency! It's a shame we can't be of just as much assistance to the current generation due to economics and legalities, as we could have been in the past.

 

[Tell Sackett]

It's not that way everywhere.

In the state I live in it is very open. There is one cop that not only shoots his handloads to qualify, he even carries them on duty! I know this is unheard of, but he does it.

The reason is this, he carries a 629 for a duty gun! It's all engraved and such, a real nice piece.

He also runs a gun store with an outdoor range. He has visiting teachers come in and give lessons. Farnham, Ayoob and others have been there. Ayoob even teaches against carrying handloads for self defense.

I wonder what he thinks about this guy carrying it for duty fodder!

 

[Snapping Twig]

Good job!

Similarly, I help teach a pistol course as assistant rangemaster/safety nazi.

I am able to introduce the students to revolvers and rifles ancillary to their training and I do this by casting and reloading. I couldn't afford to do it buying retail - I'm not wealthy either.

The smiles on the student's faces is priceless and it opens up a new world for them. Modern times being what they are, most people don't respect revolvers - until they try them.

Firing a bolt rifle and then a semi auto for comparison is of great value too.

We need to spread the love.

 

[Rule3]

I just can not believe this. For what the members of LE have to do and if part of your job is to qualify shooting then it is crazy that you have to foot the bill. The ammo is out there, yes, it is expensive but so is gas and insurance and everything else. To me it's like saying you need to pay for your own gas in a LE vehicle.
Here, carry a gun, know how to use it, protect yourself and the public but we are not buying you any ammo to be proficient at your job.. Crazy. You should not have to reload to qualify. If the ammo costs $500 then that is a small price for the Dept to pay for your life and the people you serve and protect.

Yes, budgets are tight but having worked for State Govt for many years, the money is there somewhere, just a matter of who wants to give up some of it. I could give some examples but then it would be political so all I can say is good luck and I wish you and other members the best and thank you for your service.