Self defense ammo for guns you don't plan to use for SD?

[Groo01]

Groo here
I try to have some sort of SD ammo [HP or flat point]
For all my centerfire guns...
The thing is, you never know when you might need to press one into service due to breakage ,loss , ammo shortage, or to give/trade to another.

 

[lkabug]

If you're going to have the gun nothing wrong with having different ammo to tag along.

 

[ContinentalOp]

You should go for it. But don't over pay. Eventually stock up when prices go down.

Agreed. Get some good defensive ammo if you can, but don't go broke doing so. As you said, these are guns that aren't part of your self defense plan, so it's a good idea to wait until prices improve (*fingers crossed*), or at least until you can find some at a reasonable price.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Sounds like a plan to me...........

and ANY ammo is a SD load if it hits the BG.

Have fun.

 

[Buford57]

Does M2 Ball for the Garand count?

 

[Kanewpadle]

Use what works for you. But have an open mind. To simply settle for what you perceive to be the best and adopting an attitude that nothing else could ever be better is stupid.

 

[Turn4811]

Not counting 22 I have JHP for every pistol caliber I have. Back when Cobb Armory went under I was able to buy a 50 lb keg of .356 124gr and .452 185gr Hydroshock JHP for slightly above the price of scrap lead. I still have about 2k of the 9mm and 1k of the 45 that have not been loaded.

I picked up 2k of 200gr 40/10mm JHP at an estate sale for $50. I have no idea who made it but it has a very large hole and I have got a load for it in the 10mm where it gets pushed at 1123fps downrange. I can push it faster but the load that has it at 1123 was very consistent and accurate. I have about 70 loaded and I am waiting on 1000 of Starline brass that is on order.

 

[Cal44]

Does M2 Ball for the Garand count?

Anything in a Garand counts.

 

[stansdds]

Does M2 Ball for the Garand count?

It worked well in WW II and Korea, I suppose it still works, don't think humans have evolved that much in less than 80 years.

 

[Krogen]

Interesting question, OP. I have factory, defense ammo for my two defensive pistols - A P220 and a P228. The ammo is shown to be reliable in my guns and I stick with it. My defensive rifle is an M4-gery loaded with M193. Should I ever need the rifle, that ammo should be OK. I don't subscribe to the use of exotic defense ammo and I stick to 3 defensive guns.

To get my ammo (and shooting) fix with other guns, I handload. I have little interest in keeping boutique ammo or high-cost defensive ammo for all my guns. Handloading allows me to mix 'n match components so I can stuff many cartridges with shared components.

Purchased ammo or completed handloads are essentially "allocated" and of course, specific to a given application. Handloading might be a way to get your "ammo fix" instead of buying ammo. It gives you flexibility during an ammo drought and something to do when you're avoiding the weather or otherwise stuck at home.

 

[Dave Lively]

Handloading might be a way to get your "ammo fix" instead of buying ammo. It gives you flexibility during an ammo drought and something to do when you're avoiding the weather or otherwise stuck at home.

I was an enthusiastic reloader from the late 80s until about 15 years ago. What was enjoyable hobby became more and more of a tedious chore to me. I kept the equipment around just in case some some unforeseen catastrophe persuaded me to start again. If 2020 didn't do it I hate to think what would. I gave all my open cans of powder to a friend that going to burn it off on his farm and plan to sell the equipment and remaining components on a local trading forum as soon as I get around to it.

I used to really enjoy reloading so I understand why so many reloaders think it is the solution for all ammo issues. But its not for everyone. I am a happier shooter since I started buying factory ammo in bulk.

 

[uncleted327]

I don't own any handguns that couldn't be put into a defensive role, so I stock ammo accordingly.

 

[Seamus O'Caiside]

Yeah, me too!

It sounds like a lot of people have the same idea.

i have small stockpiles of plinking ammo in .22, .38S&W, .38spec, .357M, and .45ACP and I keep at least one box of jacketed HP in each caliber except .22. Even the little .38S&W can be a decent HD gun with Buffalo Bore's special high velocity HP which makes it equivalent to a light .38Spec.

I don't keep any HD ammo in 12, 20, and 28 gauge, but I figure at very short range even clay-bird ammo will do the job. Plus, with a few minutes advance notice, any plastic shotshell can easily be turned into a slug.

You never know what might happen. If you have the gun, why not have the ammo just in case?

 

[ruger 22]

Get the cheapest 44 Spl ammo you can find. Any will be fine for SD. I had a very good friend who has passed on and his carry gun for decades was a 1950 44 SPl cut to 4" in which he always carried the old 246 gr Winchester factory lead load. It was a ferocious man stopper and very easy to shoot. It was also low velocity so you won't have a penetration problem in your home.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Speaking of Cheapie 44 - yet right - Got several 44 Special loads on hand, including Cowboy Loads which do smoke.
240 Grain Bullet at 761 FPS.

 

[geekeye]

another vote for having both practice ammo and hunting/SD ammo in every caliber i shoot. nothing wrong with having a backup plan for your backup plan.

 

[bigben55]

SD ammo for all my handguns. And I do have some 12ga buckshot. But I dont have specific self defense ammo for any of my rifles nor do I plan to buy any.

 

[heeter3]

All my revolvers use .38 special so my cjoice is easy.

 

[Univibe]

Nah.

I have no self-defense ammo for my .38, .357 or .44 mag revolvers. Can't imagine any scenario in which I'd rely on one of them for self-protection.

For ARs, M193 works as well as any for self-defense.

For shotguns, although I don't rely on them as primary Self defense weapons, I have a stash of reduced recoil law enforcement buckshot.

 

[Skyhunter]

All revolvers are loaded with cast SWC bullets. VERY effective, especially when the caliber starts with a "4".
All semi-autos are loaded with proven JHP's - small entry holes & Large exit holes.
Rifle ammo? FMJ?, JHP? JSP? Doesn't really matter, center of mass or central nervous system hit and the fight / attack is OVER!
'nuff said?

WYT-P
Skyhunter