From: forda@gtephx.UUCP (Andrew Ford @ AGCS, Phoenix, Arizona)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Hand-loads for defense (was Re: Occasional Dud in Glock 20)
Date: 21 Aug 92 03:35:52 GMT
Organization: gte

In article <tmi.713856544@well.sf.ca.us>, tmi@well.sf.ca.us (Peter Kasler) writes:
# In <1992Aug14.042158.15600@news.eng.convex.com> cash@convex.com (Peter Cash) writes:
# 
# #Well, there _is_ one reason to use reloads: factory ammo is so expensive
# #that I simply can't afford to buy the quantity of magic Silver Hydra-Talon
# #rounds that I need to practice. Thus, if I'm going to practice regularly
# #with the same ammo I would use for defense, I don't see a good alternative
# #to working up a good hand-load, and then using that both for defense and
# #practice. Comments?
# 
# 	The main reason to *not* use reloads for defense is exposure
# to legal liability challenges following a shooting. If expense is the
# basis for wanting to use reloads that are the "equivalent" of a
# factory round, why not simply practice with the inexpensive stuff and
# use the more costly factory ammunition for defense? What you use for
# practice or any purpose other than defense can not come back to bite
# you after a shooting as can using non-factory stuff for the actual
# shooting. 
# 	If one can not afford the relatively small expense of factory
# defense ammunition that is not used for practice, but only for keeping
# in one's defense gun, then perhaps one should consider how a very
# costly legal defense would impact the old budget. While I wouldn't
# insult someone by suggesting that if factory ammunition is too
# expensive for defense purposes they should abandon their defense gun
# in favor of some other form of defense, I would suggest that a little
# less practice (*just* enough less to equal the cost difference between
# normal defense quantity of factory ammunition vs. the same quantity of
# handloaded) would indeed be an appropriate resolution.

Man, you really oughta move to the United States of America!

First off, the kind of bullet used has no bearing on whether or not
you were justified in shooting.  If you were justified, there will 
be no court proceedings, civil or criminal -- provided you live in
a free state (tm) like Arizona!

As to the cost, 50 rounds of .357 Mag 125 gr HP will cost me anywhere
from $12.95 to $18.95 (US).  100 rounds of hand-loaded HP-XTP will 
cost me $10.00 to $12.00.  So you're suggesting that I *half* my
shooting?  

BTW, you really should practice at least 20% of the time with the load
you use for defense.  Variations in ammunition alter the point of
impact and the amount of recoil and noise.  In a defense situation
you will be on edge and you will need every advantage -- including
intimate familiarity with the load you are using.  

Besides, I handload because factory .357 mag ammo is "too hot" and may
over penetrate, whereas my handloads are lighter and are of less risk
to innocent bystanders. 8^)

-- 
"25 States allow anyone to buy a gun, strap it on, and walk down the street with
no permit of any kind: some say it's crazy.  However, 4 out of 5 US murders are 
committed in the other half of the country: so who is crazy?"   -  Andrew Ford
gtephx!forda@enuucp.eas.asu.edu  OR  !uunet!samsung!romed!enuucp!gtephx!forda