Reloading pistol for self-defense

[GetReal]

As has been said many times : Rather to be Judged by Twelve , than carried by Six !
Don't know of to many Lawyers who are also qualified Ballistics Experts , too . I chose to be a survivor in Vietnam some many decades ago , and my mindset hasn't changed .
If someone is that worried about the "load" they are carrying , maybe they shouldn't be carrying a gun to begin with .

Well said.

If a lawyer were gonna argue the type of bullet used, he could argue the factory bullet you bought every bit as the much bullet you loaded.

 

[Fire Dog]

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.

May I suggest reading this article. I have now for years carried frangible ammo in my carry and for the very reasons that many have stated and you seem to also be aware of…
Over penetration, ricochet, a perhaps perceived “Killer” ammo in case of legal proceedings.. Staff at local gun shop carry it as well as they said that if things went bad and a shot went wild, at least the bullet would not wind up going through the front window into the parking lot and places unknown.
A self defence round fired in your own home but going through a gyprock wall and causing collateral damage is not what you want.

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/defending-your-castle-home-defense-with-frangible-bullets/

 

[GetReal]

@Fire Dog ... good addition. I hadnt considered frangibles. As above, lawyers will demonize self-defense generally and both the purchase and reloading of "killer bullets."

Trying to pre- guess a lawyer's tactics seems like senseless tail chasing to me but avoiding over penetration through frangibles seems like a very good idea

 

[shoots100]

This is what you're seeking.

Controlled Fracturing - Reloading Bullets

Lehigh Defense, LLC. - A leading manufacturer of top quality bullets.

lehighdefense.com

SJC

 

[Kracken McGraw]

They will recover your brass, analyze the residue and determine the powder to some degree and also the bullet. They will analyze the bullet material and compare it to the case manufacturer's bullets. A Speer case and a Hornady bullet is a dead give away.

I would expect they would want you to be honest too when asked what ammo that you had in the firearm.

 

[David Milisock]

They will recover your brass, analyze the residue and determine the powder to some degree and also the bullet. They will analyze the bullet material and compare it to the case manufacturer's bullets. A Speer case and a Hornady bullet is a dead give away.

I've only seen that done on TV and an occasional big case.

 

[joshb]

I would expect they would want you to be honest too when asked what ammo that you had in the firearm.

Well, you are allowed to plead the fifth and not incriminate yourself.
I would demand a true “jury of my peers”! Real gun guys like myself that understand reloading.

 

[GetReal]

I would demand a true “jury of my peers”! Real gun guys like myself that understand reloading.

Excellent point. I would have a defense lawyer too... not go into court pro se.

Its annoying. I specifically and humbly asked for people not to turn this into a lawyer debate, but they just had to blather on about lawyers attacking reloading.

I guess the nasty parts of the internet will evidence themselves even in this forum from time to time.

Thanks to all who did what I requested and didnt speculate about lawyer attacks on reloading. Still the best gun forum on the internet.

 

[dellet]

There is a lot to consider, maybe too much. Start with the most likely scenarios.most bullets are fairly specialized but the basics are, what initiates expansion, impact or fluid. Barrier blind or not.

If you’re worried about a car jacking, it wouldn’t hurt to be able to shoot through glass or even a car door. Heavy clothing in winter causes a lot of problems with hollow points. The working velocity has been mentioned but can’t be stressed enough. Remember that it’s the velocity impact of the target, which might be 100 fps lower if the bullet starts to open in cloth, or gets plugged completely and does not open.

Powder choice for report and flash. Many/most VV powders include a flash suppressant. Fast doesn’t necessarily mean full burn and quiet. Favorite example is LoudShot. Great powder as long as it’s in a shotgun or you have double ear protection in a 3” barrel. Quickload and GRT can’t predict decibels yet as far as I know. It will be somewhat trial and error. Shoot your loads in as confined place as possible. If you can safely shoot at home, you might just open the window and send a couple rounds from the shower. Night practice sure helps.

As for the dreaded legal questions that must be avoided….
I do know a person who was cleared legally and civilly. Not sure his response to the “why did you use the super dooper man stopper bullets”? but two juries at least considered it. “I chose a bullet that would maximize the chance of stopping the threat, while minimizing the chance of harm to myself and family”. Not legal advice but something worth remembering.

It’s a lot of compromise, you can’t carry a bunch of magazines and hope you can grab the right one loaded to fit that specific threat. Figure out what you feel is most important and load for those qualities.

 

[M-61]

Well, you are allowed to plead the fifth and not incriminate yourself.
I would demand a true “jury of my peers”! Real gun guys like myself that understand reloading.

Yup.
Remember a jury of 12
Well you only need ONE

 

[Doug Casner]

Being tried by twelve is better than being carried by six. Doug