Hand loading your self defense ammo?

[Mad_Charlie]

How many documented times has this actually come up in court?
Out of ALL of the shooting related cases over the past 50 years?

And how the (insert word of choice here) do they even know the cartridges were hand loaded? One Remington case looks much like another after it is fired.

I load what I carry, which is usually lead SWC or WFN, aka hunting or target ammo. I don't have any "factory" ammo, I don't even have any jacketed bullets for pistols, and haven't had any for many years.

The best defensive ammo is what is in your gun.

 

[Harley Fan]

OK, I love this forum and it makes my day when I get to read whatever Engineer1911 has to say.

~~

I've given this subject about 30 seconds worth of intense thought in the past. I'm a simple man, and a very cheap *** too. Here is my S.O.P:

My SD is a full size Kimber 1911 in .45acp. I can much more accurately shoot this fine gun than I can my prized 686 in double action.

My SD ammo is Federal Hydra-Shok 230 gr. JHP. I've fired a whopping total of 30 rounds of this, for a feel of recoil, gage of accuracy, and test whether my Kimber liked to feed them. Now, this gun has been 100% reliable with whatever ammo or handload I feed it, over 5k rounds or so, so I have no problem with this round. Recoil no big deal either. The only pain I felt was in the wallet, at $1.40 a shot.

So- I simply look on the back of the Hydra-Shok box, note that the muzzle velocity was near 900fps; note that my two favorite and most accurate 230 gr. (14 cents per shot) handloads are 880 and 850fps respectively. It's hard to tell the difference between my store-bought SD ammo and my practice stuff, except for the smell.

 

[Cal44]

I carry my 32s&w long M31-1 and considered hand loading as most factory loads are wimpy.

Then I found Buffalobore SD loads and decided I couldn't improve on them enough to matter.

So I practice with cheap factory ammo and carry BB.

I'd say it depends on the caliber and price a what is available from the factories.

 

[andyo5]

I have carried handloads in my self defense gun. Fortunately, I have never needed to use them.