Reloading pistol for self-defense

[GetReal]

A theory question that has direct implications for the real world:

While the bullet chosen for self-defense pistol ammo is fairly readily apparent, the powder chosen is not.

Naturally you want to go with the powder the powder manufacturers recommend for the bullet weight being used.

My question more affects the charge or amount of powder used as it will determine the velocity of the round fired. I often see pistol rounds going through 20 to 22 in of gelatin which if the round Fired doesn't hit something solid in a self-defense shooting, it has the potential to go through the Target and endanger innocent bystanders.

So..... questions : . Does this affect your choice and quantity of powder in the powder charge? What velocity for what grain weight projectile do you try to reload for ? Or do you just want a bullet going as fast as possible? Is 22 inches of ballistic gelatin a reasonable facsimile of the circumstance of a self-defense shooting? What if anything else do you do to be as safe and responsible as possible in loading yourself defense rounds?

My goal is to be wise and responsible in my reloading, to not endanger others and also not leave myself open to a criminal or civil charge in how I choose my loads.

I understand reloading self-defense ammo itself could be used against me, but I don't consider that a meritorious argument and still choose to reload my self-defense rounds.

Thanks for any help on the questions I asked above.

 

[BHP9]

A lot of shooters recommend seeing what your local PD uses or just go with the FBI ammo rather than loading your own, due to some shyster lawyer saying that your ammo was designed for maximum destruction and that could possibly have a jury/judge say guilty.

This could also mean that your purchase a few boxes of different loads to make sure of function and accuracy in your gun.

 

[GLShooter]

I worked with the Fed BOP. They just bought low bid ammo. No regards to performance. Hell they went from FGMM 308 to PMC "MATCH " for our precision rifles and all around the USA our snipers found out that they couldn't hit a T Zone with a baseball bat. I raised hell with Central Office and suddenly the FGMM started showing up. Thank God for networking and reputation

 

[rr2030]

Much quality ammo available. I would not spend any time working up a self defense load for anything.

YMMV

 

[Doom]

You do not want to be in a courtroom trying to defend your reloading when your freedom is on the line. It gives the opposition one more item to cast dispersions on in front of 12 people that don't know a thing about ballistics or reloading. Questions like:

Why did you make your own ammunition?
Why did you load to make your rounds more deadly?
How do you now your rounds are more/less lethal than commercial ammunition?

Does it make a difference? How do you like your odds in Vegas?

 

[358WCF]

I carry factory loads in my carry guns for the above stated reasons. It seems like 22" is a lot of penetration. The average human is 12-15" deep, I believe, plus whatever clothes they have on. We're not deer hunting & a blood trail isn't necessarily a good thing. Ideally you want the projectile to stay inside whoever you may need to shoot in most situations. Not much in the world is ideal, but...

Massad Ayoob has a few interesting things on yootoob that explain his daily carry choices & why.

This is a pretty good resource too.

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

Lucky Gunner tests more than 110 different 9mm, 45 ACP, 40 S&W and 380 ACP handgun self-defense ammunition loads in ballistic gel with analysis and video.

www.luckygunner.com

 

[GetReal]

@358WCF ... thanks for actually answering some of the questions I asked and not giving your opinion on something I said I have already come to a conclusion on.

Factory self defense ammo typically is too hot, and risks going through the target and endangering innocent bystanders so I would like to minimize that danger and avoid that accusation in court. I'd like to avoid having to explain in court why I chose a factory round te
widely known to over penetrate that endangers innocent bystanders

 

[cem]

I am in complete agreement after Miami that too much penetration is to be preferred over any, no matter how slight, risk of inadequate penetration.

I find myself impressed by and in full agreement with the different heavier defense in the woods and lighter defense against people loads offered by such specialty makers as Buffalo Bore.

It's been argued, and I think generally correctly, that duty ammunition for folks with an obligation to run to the guns must be barrier blind while self defense ammunition for folks who can and should run away from the guns should avoid shoot through over penetration. Some makers address this directly in their offerings.

For my money I consider issues such as muzzle flash - as do most folks loading defensive optimized ammunition - along with interior and exterior ballistics. I prefer easy metering although I will weigh each and every charge and bullet for potential defense loads. I have used a case full of 296/H110 with a heavy for the cartridge - obviously in a magnum revolver - bullet that will chase away the folks on either side of me in an indoor range when I have muzzle flash you couldn't catch with a bushel basket. Some say such loads are useful to light up a dark interaction.

For many years I carried 9x23 Silvertips in a nice smithed 1911 with the maker's mark on it. Currently it's 9x19 Speer Gold Dots in a S&W M&P fueled by Ed Brown chosen so I have the red dot sight I need as I age.

I am in complete agreement with Mas Ayoob that carrying handloaded ammunition for defense purposes adds an unnecessary risk. Late in the last century Mr. Ayoob did an article for Handloader in which he gave advice, that is suggested procedures, for folks who chose not to take his other advice to use factory. Those who criticize Mr. Ayoob because reloaded ammunition figured in only a couple of cases that have gone up on appeal and so been reported are simply ignorant of cases with handloads that were never appealed. For my sins I do have a J.D. degree and I have heard of cases that were never appealed and so never reported where the issue of handloads was at least touched on - not saying a losing issue but at least a distraction. I wouldn't hesitate to take reloads to a gun fight if that's what I had on hand.

 

[GetReal]

@cem ... if you use Factory loads they' ll demonize you for choosing a known over penetrator ammo and if you use hand loads they'll demonize you for making killer bullets. They'll demonize you no matter what you do.

In other words ignore their demonization cuz they'll demonize you no matter what you do.

Instead I'll base my decision on fact, science, logic, known reality and argue for my own defense from those things and thereby show their demonization to be illegitimate and bogus.

This is why I specifically said I didn't want to discuss the lawyer issues in my original post and I will humbly ask people to stop raising that issue. It is off topic and not the information I specifically ask questions to get.

 

[CJ6]

Lawyers will ruin your life in court with handloads for self defense

 

[GetReal]

Lawyers will ruin your life in court with handloads for self defense

I specifically asked people in the original post not to go to the lawyer issues cuz I've already made up my mind on that issue. I asked specific questions to get specific information which is what I want and I will humbly ask people to stop bringing up the lawyer issues.

If that's all you've got to talk about, I'll ask you to not reply.