Reloading SD Ammo?

[SQLGeek]

The latest topic in the General forum about self defense ammo got me thinking...a dangerous thing, I realize.

Do any of you reloaders load up SD ammo that closely matches the specs of your carry ammo so that you can practice with a cheaper variant? I understand that there could be legal complications from using reloaded ammunition in a shooting but I am just asking about for practice.

[Middle Age Russ]

I am presently only loading 9x19mm and .380 (9x17mm). I try for mid-range to warmish rounds for practice, but only load fully plated, or fully jacketed bullets since I occasionally practice at an indoor range which doesn't allow exposed lead. After testing each of the carry guns, I am comfortable that they will feed any self-defense factory ammo I am likely to use, so the reloads are only for practice time.

Should the adrenaline start pumping in a needful situation away from the range, I probably won't notice any modest difference in the recoil characteristics between the factory self defense loads and the practice handloads.

[Beiruty]

Speer has bulk Gold Dots for LE training. Get some.

[PracticalTactical]

It's definitely a good thing to do. Try and match bullet weight and velocity and you'll get a close enough feel.

Then cook up some other recipes, both bullet weight and powder charge, and you'll start feeling the differences.

[Jeremae]

I load my own SD ammo. It saves me money, I trust my loads more that commercial ammo and it lets me load exactly the bullet I want in the case I want at the velocity I want to maximize the effectiveness of each round.

I keep meticulous records and at least 20 rounds from each batch for testing that can be used at trial if need be.

This is Texas , if you are justified in using deadly force you can use any weapon or ammo you want.

My SD ammo is pretty close to one of the commercial loads so no assistant DA can claim I was some Rambo wannabe just looking for trouble.

I am NOT a lawyer and I decided to carry my loads for myself. You should research the legal ramifications and decide for yourself.

[ghostrider]

Do any of you reloaders load up SD ammo that closely matches the specs of your carry ammo so that you can practice with a cheaper variant?

Yes.
One of the reasons I tend to use Speer Gold Dot or Hornady TAP is I can buy the bullets
as components for reloading which I can't do with Federal HST.