Why is this a big "no-no" in the gun world?? Mixing ammo...
- Thread starter ludicrouspeed
- Start date
foxeye
Member
I play mix and match all the time. At the distance that most shots are taking the POI is of little concern, as any load should still hit center mass just fine
GF
Member
If I've only got three rounds of hollow point and three rounds of ball, I load 'em up to fill the cylinder to full capacity.
That's how us operators roll.
GF
That's how us operators roll.
GF
I have shot 'leftovers'
I've shot leftovers from different batches of ammo, but I was expecting that there would be cool, warm and medium loads. I just took what came and plinked away.
I've shot leftovers from different batches of ammo, but I was expecting that there would be cool, warm and medium loads. I just took what came and plinked away.
swampersand
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Silver last
It's probably a good idea to make the last round the one with the silver bullet.
It's probably a good idea to make the last round the one with the silver bullet.
szuppo
US Veteran
1st shot is a snake load with small pellets, if that doesn't work I'll rack the slide and go with the FMJ. If the FMJ won't work I've got staggered premium hollowpoints from every major manufacturer in all weights. Dammit, one of them will work. In a firefight I know how many times I have to rack the slide to get to my preferred ammo for the situation at hand. It's simple really..... Seriously, don't overthink it. Use a modern JHP that works and works well in your particular firearm and go to the range and train. Not punch holes in paper but actually do some defensive drills and actual training.
Worry less, train more.
Worry less, train more.
REM 3200
US Veteran
Dutch loading is for a person who can’t make a decision. 
Moonman
Member
Just remember, the last shot is the winner, don't take a 5 shot to a 6 shot fight.
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Just make sure it's the right caliber. A neighbor once asked me to take his son hunting. We lived in a rural area, guns were a part of his life and I assumed he had been trained. (Yes, I know about assumptions)
When he couldn't get the first round to chamber in his SMLE sporter he asked me to look at it. First round wouldn't chamber because it was a 7.5 mm Swiss from his dad's rifle. Next up was a .284 Winchester. The rest were .303s, but no two alike. Kid had been scrounging ammo and if it fit in the magazine he thought he was good to go.
When he couldn't get the first round to chamber in his SMLE sporter he asked me to look at it. First round wouldn't chamber because it was a 7.5 mm Swiss from his dad's rifle. Next up was a .284 Winchester. The rest were .303s, but no two alike. Kid had been scrounging ammo and if it fit in the magazine he thought he was good to go.
Mcwsky09
Member
Good advice
I suspect that is the problem to avoid. The last thing you want is to have a malfunction caused by incompatible ammo loaded into your firearm. The prohibition about mixing might better be applied to any ammo you have stored such the when it is time to load you weapon you know without a doubt that what you are loading is the correct ammo for the weapon you are loading.
Subtle variations would be more important for scored competitive shooting where minimizing even the slightest varaition in the behavior of the rounds enables more consistent results.
While therre can be issues with differnt metals in contact with each other in terms of corrosion and such I doubt that any dissimilarities in the materials used in most ammunition and firearms would cause an issue, especially with regular cleaning and maintenance.
I suspect that is the problem to avoid. The last thing you want is to have a malfunction caused by incompatible ammo loaded into your firearm. The prohibition about mixing might better be applied to any ammo you have stored such the when it is time to load you weapon you know without a doubt that what you are loading is the correct ammo for the weapon you are loading.
Subtle variations would be more important for scored competitive shooting where minimizing even the slightest varaition in the behavior of the rounds enables more consistent results.
While therre can be issues with differnt metals in contact with each other in terms of corrosion and such I doubt that any dissimilarities in the materials used in most ammunition and firearms would cause an issue, especially with regular cleaning and maintenance.
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How about this: It just is.
I know of NO law enforcement agency alternately loading different makes or types of cartridges. That should tell you something. I am not sure what, but something.
The fear is malfunctions, I suspect, although back in revolver days, it was also a no-no. You most likely had none because the two rounds you chose are same bullet weight and close to the same velocity. But even if that is not the reason for no malfunctions, why take the chance.
Finally, your premise is incorrect. There are a number of rounds on the market today which are designed to perform well under the standard barrier tests developed by the FBI after the 1986 Miami shootout. Dr. Martin Fackler, the wound ballistics expert, once said in an interview that he had Hydra Shok ammo tested alongside the other Hydra Shok that had the little thingy removed, and the rounds performed the same with and without. I doubt there is any real difference.
Just get Winchester 127 grain JHP +P+ and be done with it. Voila, your 9mm just became the same as the .357 SIG, but without the excessive cost and crazy high gun destroying pressures.
LimaCharlie
US Veteran
Many years ago semi-auto pistols were known the be ammo sensitive. The 1911 was known to like ball ammo and jam on wide mouth JHP. One of the tests gun magazine writers did was load various types of ammo in a magazine to see how ammo sensitive a gun was. If it shot all types, the gun was deemed non-sensitive to ammo.
I have done this to show friends how reliable my Glock G20 is with various random types ammo loaded. I shoot sixteen random rounds, reload and shoot fifteen more as fast as possible. I would not carry with various ammo loaded.
I have done this to show friends how reliable my Glock G20 is with various random types ammo loaded. I shoot sixteen random rounds, reload and shoot fifteen more as fast as possible. I would not carry with various ammo loaded.
Lessee
"Lessee... I got wadcutters, +Ps and .357s. I know! I'll load ALL of them!"
Dutch loading is for a person who can’t make a decision.
"Lessee... I got wadcutters, +Ps and .357s. I know! I'll load ALL of them!"
A2 Stippling
US Veteran
Are you RICH? You had 500 +P rounds just burning a hole in your pocket to shoot? Holy moley Batman - you got skills! I shot my Shield with a box of 25rds and had to eat noodles all week for lunch. Keep it rollin' 1%!
I'm thinking it is more dont mix calibers, like trying to load .380 in a 9mm, or if your gun is not rated for +p or +p+ hot loads. Or .45 acp in a .410 shotgun.
These would be frontrunners in the Darwin awards, so it may not be such a bad idea.
Chuck
These would be frontrunners in the Darwin awards, so it may not be such a bad idea.
Chuck
tailslide
Member
If you were ever involved in a gunfight that went to court, it would be one more thing a prosecutor could press for an explanation. The more you have to explain the further you get from connecting with a jury.
rburg
Member
We used to do that when hunting with pump guns. After about the 2nd or 3rd one in, we moved up to BB or Buck. Back then we were interested in dropping the errant fox. These days the coyote is prime material. Just critters that seem to be on the bad guy list. The larger sizes tend to carry farther.
About 6 or 8 years ago when the 329 came out I took one to a mid winter camp out and shooting session. I announced I had a new gun then retrieved it from my Jeep. I was very careful, loading it with 3 44 specials and 3 of the 300 grain bear loads. Then proceeded to shoot the first Special at the big old cottonwood. Then complained about the recoil and fired the 2nd. More complaining. I fired the last Special and said it kicked too much for me. All of it was just bait for the guy who could always do anything better than anyone else. It was kind of fun to watch. He was making fun of me as expected, then touched off one of the full house 300 grain loadings. It hurt him bad, but he had too much pride to stop and besides, he was making fun of me. To his credit or stupidity, he fired the 2nd and 3rd. Then he handed my gun back to me.
I watched him and he went over to the beer cooler, took out a really cold one with his left hand, then walked over to a camp chair and sat down. Only then did he transfer it to his right and opened it with his left. To drink he took it back in his left hand each time. I got him good! So my professional observer, the just retired detective with 32 years on the force leaned over toward me. He said "um, uh Dick, did I hear a slight difference in report between your loads and Davey's?" Always truthful when I served my purposes, I said "I think so". He understood the drill and appreciated it. Mixing ammo had its purpose.
About 6 or 8 years ago when the 329 came out I took one to a mid winter camp out and shooting session. I announced I had a new gun then retrieved it from my Jeep. I was very careful, loading it with 3 44 specials and 3 of the 300 grain bear loads.
Then proceeded to shoot the first Special at the big old cottonwood. Then complained about the recoil and fired the 2nd. More complaining. I fired the last Special and said it kicked too much for me. All of it was just bait for the guy who could always do anything better than anyone else. It was kind of fun to watch. He was making fun of me as expected, then touched off one of the full house 300 grain loadings. It hurt him bad, but he had too much pride to stop and besides, he was making fun of me. To his credit or stupidity, he fired the 2nd and 3rd. Then he handed my gun back to me. I watched him and he went over to the beer cooler, took out a really cold one with his left hand, then walked over to a camp chair and sat down. Only then did he transfer it to his right and opened it with his left. To drink he took it back in his left hand each time.
I got him good! So my professional observer, the just retired detective with 32 years on the force leaned over toward me. He said "um, uh Dick, did I hear a slight difference in report between your loads and Davey's?" Always truthful when I served my purposes, I said "I think so". He understood the drill and appreciated it. Mixing ammo had its purpose.
