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Shooting somebody else's reloads
calrugerfan
Member Posts: 18,209 ✭
Would you shoot reloads of an unknown origin?
What if there were some that were heavier?
I was given some gun stuff and it included some rounds of 38 special. They are lead cast bullets. Obviously, cartridges are going to vary a little bit in weight. I decided to weigh each and every round. I split them into two main categories with a couple rounds in the middle.
The first category has 27 rounds. The weight ranges from 227.3 grains to 230.6 grains. The median is 229 grains and the average is 228.922 grains.
The high group has 12 rounds and ranges from 235.7 to 239.3 grains. The median is 237 and the average is 237.175 grains.
Two rounds came in in the middle at 231.3 and 232.1 grains.
Of course, without knowing the origins of the rounds, I don't know if the high ones are double charged or if the low ones are just light rounds.
To answer my questions, I have already made the decision to never shoot reloads of unknown origin. I will go so far as to say that for the most part, I won't even shoot reloading cartridges that I DO know the origins of unless I completely trust that person. I've shot my own reloads because I know that I follow all safety precautions. The only other reloads that I have shot are from my cousin that has been reloading for years and has taken me under his wing to teach me reloading. I've seen him reload and he doesn't cut corners or allow distractions. He doesn't "experiment" outside of accepted reloading guidelines found in reloading manuals.
I will also NEVER shoot reloads from my wife's uncle, nor will I ever go shooting WITH him. He is an FFL and a hunter's safety teacher and talking to him makes me scared to be in the same state as anybody that he has taught. He was bragging to me about mixing powders to create a bigger flash to impress his students. He also gave me a "tip" of using a tiny dab of red locktite so I don't have to crimp cases.
What if there were some that were heavier?
I was given some gun stuff and it included some rounds of 38 special. They are lead cast bullets. Obviously, cartridges are going to vary a little bit in weight. I decided to weigh each and every round. I split them into two main categories with a couple rounds in the middle.
The first category has 27 rounds. The weight ranges from 227.3 grains to 230.6 grains. The median is 229 grains and the average is 228.922 grains.
The high group has 12 rounds and ranges from 235.7 to 239.3 grains. The median is 237 and the average is 237.175 grains.
Two rounds came in in the middle at 231.3 and 232.1 grains.
Of course, without knowing the origins of the rounds, I don't know if the high ones are double charged or if the low ones are just light rounds.
To answer my questions, I have already made the decision to never shoot reloads of unknown origin. I will go so far as to say that for the most part, I won't even shoot reloading cartridges that I DO know the origins of unless I completely trust that person. I've shot my own reloads because I know that I follow all safety precautions. The only other reloads that I have shot are from my cousin that has been reloading for years and has taken me under his wing to teach me reloading. I've seen him reload and he doesn't cut corners or allow distractions. He doesn't "experiment" outside of accepted reloading guidelines found in reloading manuals.
I will also NEVER shoot reloads from my wife's uncle, nor will I ever go shooting WITH him. He is an FFL and a hunter's safety teacher and talking to him makes me scared to be in the same state as anybody that he has taught. He was bragging to me about mixing powders to create a bigger flash to impress his students. He also gave me a "tip" of using a tiny dab of red locktite so I don't have to crimp cases.
Comments
Put my bullet puller to work, used the powder as fertilizer and tossed the primed cases after soaking them in oil.
Are you refering to commercial, licensed & insured remanufacturers or Clyde down the street who pushes a broom at Walmart 3 nights a week and doesn't use reloading manuals cause he can't read?
I learned 4 decades ago not to shoot someone else's reloads regardless of the other guy's best intentions when my Mother's cousin loaded me some 30/06 ammo that tied up the bolt on my 760 and 03A3.
I don't have a problem using commercially reloaded ammo but I do test it for consistent performance before depending on it.
If the man/company has a license to reload, and sells a lot, he or she or it is a professional reloader, not an amateur reloader and I'm sure (but I would check anyway) insurance is involved, or legal releases, etc. That should be ok. I'd test first and then buy in bulk.
In general, I shoot MY reloads, and I'm scrupulously honest about keeping safety practices. I got a buddy into the hobby and he and I check each other's work and observe each other loading and we know we do it the same way. We have shot each other's reloads a bit doing testing in our different guns.
I would never buy reloads at a gun show if I didn't know the loader. I'm not criticizing those who do, but it's MY safety limit that prevents me from doing so.
My theory is I NEVER Shoot Reloads ( "factory reman.s " OK) , but NEVER some bubba made ammo ! NEVER !
Thanks !!!
d.a.stearns...........................a.k.a............SKEEZIX...
Gunsmith / LEO
Athens , Tn
www.allamericangunshop.com
If you dont want to waste them, take them apart and start over,
THAT is good advice. Powder is cheap. Safety is not.
If you dont want to waste them, take them apart and start over,
That's the plan.
And to everybody else, I was referring to garage reloaded ammo, not commercial reloads.
If I know the reloader personally, maybe.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
My Son was shooting reloads that My Father in Law made for His AR-15 (223) and when He shot one the Magazine was ejected out of the Rifle.
We removed a Bullet from a reload and found that all 500 rounds had a double charge in them.
Now My Father in Law and Brother in Law are playing the blame game as to who made the reloads.
Now My Son will only shoot factory new Ammo.
There are only a couple people that I will shoot their reloads. I don't mind Zero (a local company that has a really nice reputation) but I don't shoot ANYONE'S that I don't know and there are some guys that want to give me things from time to time....but I politely tell them I can't take them. I have to get that deep down "everything is OK" feeling when I'm shooting anything. I don't like to be the tester....ever.
ZERO! I have a couple thousand 150gr .308 SP bullets with a "ZERO" label. They are as accurate as anything I've shot over 50+ years of loading. I wonder if they still make that bullet. I can't see their website; dealers and wholesalers only. Do you have access?
Clouder..
quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
There are only a couple people that I will shoot their reloads. I don't mind Zero (a local company that has a really nice reputation) but I don't shoot ANYONE'S that I don't know and there are some guys that want to give me things from time to time....but I politely tell them I can't take them. I have to get that deep down "everything is OK" feeling when I'm shooting anything. I don't like to be the tester....ever.
ZERO! I have a couple thousand 150gr .308 SP bullets with a "ZERO" label. They are as accurate as anything I've shot over 50+ years of loading. I wonder if they still make that bullet. I can't see their website; dealers and wholesalers only. Do you have access?
Clouder..
I didn't keep up with them once I left retail. They are a pretty cool little company. A guy started it with his wife and eventually hired his mother and some other family members to work the presses for him. Everyone around here stocks their 38's
If you dont want to waste them, take them apart and start over,
or only shoot them in a Ruger or Dan Wesson 357Mag since they are overbuilt.
You really can't blow one of those up with 38spcl cases even if using compressed loads
I purchased reloads at a gun show last weekend. He has a permit to reload and has been in the business for 30 years. I'll let you know how it goes.
Me too, but they weren't "reloads" they were never fired brass.
So I guess that makes them "loads"?
I thought of it more as "custom" than "seconds". But I haven't fired any yet.
I only shoot the reloads I produce.
My Son was shooting reloads that My Father in Law made for His AR-15 (223) and when He shot one the Magazine was ejected out of the Rifle.
We removed a Bullet from a reload and found that all 500 rounds had a double charge in them.
Now My Father in Law and Brother in Law are playing the blame game as to who made the reloads.
Now My Son will only shoot factory new Ammo.
I can't help but wonder what powder was used. The powders I have tried for .223 were way to bulky to double-charge and not notice.
quote:Originally posted by e3mrk
I only shoot the reloads I produce.
My Son was shooting reloads that My Father in Law made for His AR-15 (223) and when He shot one the Magazine was ejected out of the Rifle.
We removed a Bullet from a reload and found that all 500 rounds had a double charge in them.
Now My Father in Law and Brother in Law are playing the blame game as to who made the reloads.
Now My Son will only shoot factory new Ammo.
I can't help but wonder what powder was used. The powders I have tried for .223 were way to bulky to double-charge and not notice.
I would also like to know how you double-charge a 223[?][?] Any powder of appropriate burn rate for 223 could not possibly be double-charged and fit in the case, powder would be spilling out of the neck and then some.
quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
There are only a couple people that I will shoot their reloads. I don't mind Zero (a local company that has a really nice reputation) but I don't shoot ANYONE'S that I don't know and there are some guys that want to give me things from time to time....but I politely tell them I can't take them. I have to get that deep down "everything is OK" feeling when I'm shooting anything. I don't like to be the tester....ever.
ZERO! I have a couple thousand 150gr .308 SP bullets with a "ZERO" label. They are as accurate as anything I've shot over 50+ years of loading. I wonder if they still make that bullet. I can't see their website; dealers and wholesalers only. Do you have access?
Clouder..
any .308 130 grain in that stash?
quote:Originally posted by Classic095
If you dont want to waste them, take them apart and start over,
or only shoot them in a Ruger or Dan Wesson 357Mag since they are overbuilt.
You really can't blow one of those up with 38spcl cases even if using compressed loads
Will be using a Taurus Model 66.
quote:Originally posted by lksmith03
quote:Originally posted by Classic095
If you dont want to waste them, take them apart and start over,
or only shoot them in a Ruger or Dan Wesson 357Mag since they are overbuilt.
You really can't blow one of those up with 38spcl cases even if using compressed loads
Will be using a Taurus Model 66.
Then I'd pull them and re-charge. My Brother-in-law has one and it looks/feels sound and feels like it'd handle even hot reloads but it ain't a 44mag with a 357 cylinder and barrel like the rugers and dan's I've seen
quote:Originally posted by whiteclouder
quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
There are only a couple people that I will shoot their reloads. I don't mind Zero (a local company that has a really nice reputation) but I don't shoot ANYONE'S that I don't know and there are some guys that want to give me things from time to time....but I politely tell them I can't take them. I have to get that deep down "everything is OK" feeling when I'm shooting anything. I don't like to be the tester....ever.
ZERO! I have a couple thousand 150gr .308 SP bullets with a "ZERO" label. They are as accurate as anything I've shot over 50+ years of loading. I wonder if they still make that bullet. I can't see their website; dealers and wholesalers only. Do you have access?
Clouder..
any .308 130 grain in that stash?
Yes'ir, but they're HP. Vicious stuff on a rockchuck.
Clouder..