HANDLOADS IN SELF-DEFENSE SHOOTINGS:
https://www.glocktalk.com/a/the-peculiar-problem-of-handloads-in-self-defense-shootings.18/ (https://www.glocktalk.com/a/the-peculiar-problem-of-handloads-in-self-defense-shootings.18/)
Spats McGee is a good guy (and a lawyer!). I've followed his writings for years on THR. I'm glad that SIG has the SIG hollowpoints at a good speed. Not optimum for a 180, but better than most.
read the article...interesting , tho don't fully subscribe to his thoughts.
There are plenty of comm loads out there for it not to be a factor... heck most of my loads are slightly weaken loads from the pull-downs.
Reloading allows me to practice using the comm loads without the cost
I've read that the forensic team being unable to duplicate the scenes for ballastics are the reason handloads were frowned upon. It's not the power that can be obtained from hand loading as most believe. Look at the loads we can buy from legitimate companies.
I can imagine this in a court trial:
"So you carry a 50 AE for protection? "A 50 cal? What are you afraid of? A Bear? In the city?
There's no law against carrying a 50 cal.
When we are pressed into the situations like the cops I'll bet we don't shoot any better than them.
This article really just applies the standard rules of hazards analysis to using handloads for defense. In that methodology, you evaluate the probability of an incident, and the results of a negative outcome.
In this case an incident is defined as a situation in which you a.) carried handloaded ammo, b.) had to use your gun in a shooting, c.) the validity of the shooting was challenged in either criminal or civil court, and d.) the use of handloads was an element to the challenge. The probability of these four items aligning is very low.
But, if they do align, then the use of handloads greatly increases the chance that you will lose and such a lose would be catastrophic to most of us.
The element I don't see addressed in the article is how the court will be able to tell the difference between my handloads and Buffalo Bore factory ammo, or any other maker that uses brass with the Starline headstamp.
This Video may be of interest as well'