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newcomer to pistol handloads

bwabwa Member Posts: 224 ✭✭✭
edited January 2002 in Ask the Experts
Some years ago I reloaded for rifle and shotgun, but have no experience loading pistol cartridges. Recently I bought a .44 Magnum and some reloading tools and need some advice. I want to do two different loads, one of which will be for home defense(I know that a .44 isn't ideal for this purpose, but I have some very good reasons for choosing it which are beyond the scope of this post.). I know that I want a lightly-recoiling load. Do I need a lightweight bullet or a low-velocity heavy one? Any recommendations? I also need experienced, authoritative opinions on both Berry's copper-plated bullets and moly-coated lead ones(I want to minimize both cost and cleaning hassles, so one of these would seem to fit the bill.). Thank you in advance for your assistance.
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Comments

  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    It is my recommendation that you do not handload you own defense loads.With my limited experience in the legal system, I've learned that a prosecuter will use every possible thing he can agaisnt you. Say you actually have to shoot someone. And the DA decides that they may be able to prosecute you in a State Criminal case, for some technicalities. I can just hear him now. "So the bullets sold at the store weren't good enough for you to kill with, you had to make your own?"And then you still have the chance that the family of the person you shot could sue you in a state Civil case for killing the bread winner of the family.And then you still have the chance that you could be taken to court for some federal criminal charges.And last of all you still may have the chance that the family may sue you in a federal civil case for violating the civil rights of the perp. by taking his life.Now knowing that all the little possibilities for suits against you, you wouldn't want that one little thing that would make you a killer in the eye of an anti-gun jury would you?Besides, factory defense loads are probably better than anything that could be loaded by hand. More reliable, more consistant, and they aren't that expensive.Stick to reloading for fun, cheapness for bulk ammo for plinking, hunting, target, ect.Just my advice.
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  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Good advice.
    PC=BS
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    While I would take issue with Lee's characterization of handloads as less reliable / consistent than factory, his point is still valid. And I believe I read an article within the last year describing a prosecution which employed exactly that line of questioning.
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  • jeandersjeanders Member Posts: 144 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can use .44 Special ammo in that gun andhave less recoil and still be execellent for home protection. You can reload .44 special loads too.
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  • bwabwa Member Posts: 224 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mr. leeblackman:Your points are well-taken, but I'm not sure I understand how using a factory load will prevent all the various threatened consequences you mention; e.g. if a jury is weighted with antigun individuals, would it make a difference to them what sort of ammunition was used? Would the family of the criminal, bent on getting the person who defended himself, be deterred from suing if they knew I used factory ammunition rather than reloads?I'm not taking a contrary stance -just requesting clarification.Another question: would the fact that I live in conservative, rural, middle America make a difference in the legal factors you mention?Thanks again!
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  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    bwa, not attempting to speak for lee but here are my thought on your questions. First, even if your lawyer allowed an antigun jury to be empaneled, the fact that you "custom designed your killing ammunition" would weigh heavily against you. Even a gun neutral jury (more likely) would be swayed by that argument. Remember that most jurors are not 'gun nuts' like those who dwell on this board.Second, using factory loads will not prevent either criminal charges or civil suits but it will remove a powerfull emotional argument from your opposition.Third, no, the fact that you live in rural middle America would not make a significant difference. Massad Ayoub (sp???) has written several articles on just this issue, look at back issues of Handgunner for more details.
    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • bwabwa Member Posts: 224 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The unanimity of opinion here has convinced me. Factory loads it shall be(Should hollow points be avoided for the same reasons you've mentioned?). But I'd like to find a mild factory load, so that I can practice with a comparable reload(I don't really want to go to the .44 Special, since I don't have any brass for it.). Anyone know where to find such an animal?Also, could someone comment on my other question re: the positives and/or negatives of both copper-plated and moly-coated lead bullets?Thanks!
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  • bwabwa Member Posts: 224 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm not sure I follow you on those first couple of sentences, SaxonPig. Are you suggesting practicing with the factory loads? If so, that would be too expensive for my budget.
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  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    bwa, there are a number of light loads for the .44 magnum. As an example, Speer Reloading manual #10 shows light loads for 12 powders for the 240 gr. semi-wadcutter, everything from SR4795 to Bullseye at under 1000 fps. All are good, inexpensive, light recoiling practice loads (some are very accurate in my Blackhawk).If you don't have a reloading book (or three) - get at least one before you try to reload any .44 Mag ammo (or any other ammo). Never rely on any load found on the internet without verifying its safety from an independent source.
    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis[This message has been edited by Shootist3006 (edited 01-23-2002).]
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