Buying ammunition from someone who home loads

[J@son]

I know next to nothing about home-loading so apologies in advance if some of what follows reflects that ignorance.

My understanding is that people put together their own ammunition for three reasons:
1. It might work out cheaper/round than factory ammo;
2. Consistency - assuming you know what you are doing a hand made product is likely to be better (and most consistent) than something that is mass produced on a large scale production line;
3. Specification - home loaders can design their own round to their own spec in terms of bullet weight and properties, powder, primer etc.

OK so far?

So my question is this: is it legal to buy home-loaded ammo from someone who makes it for their own use? Obviously within the terms of your and their FACs. I understand that they would be breaking the law if they made more ammo (in order to sell some to someone else) than they were legally allowed to hold on their ticket. But assuming my FAC allows me to buy and possess ammunition am I allowed to buy it from anyone or can I only buy it from an RFD.

The reason I ask... I see lots of people home loading but I don’t see home loaders advertising ammo for sale. (Maybe I just don’t know what to look for on this front) Maybe it isn’t worth anyone’s while; maybe it’s illegal. I would be interested to know - particularly with the lead ban on the horizon. I can imagine people offering to make bespoke home loads might be able charge enough to make it worth their while.

 

[Muir]

Legalities aside. It is an incredibly foolish thing to consider. The #1 rule of shooting handloads that I learned as a very, very young man is: "Never shoot anyone else's handloads." ~Muir

 

[8x57]

It's not illegal to buy ammunition from another shooter provided that it's signed on to your certificate but it would be extremely unwise to purchase reloaded ammunition from another person.

 

[Triggermortis]

To put it bluntly, if it turns out the rounds do not suit your firearm at best they will be inaccurate,
At worst you may not have the opportunity to make the mistake of using someone else’s rounds a second time

 

[Lateral]

Legalities aside. It is an incredibly foolish thing to consider. The #1 rule of shooting handloads that I learned as a very, very young man is: "Never shoot anyone else's handloads." ~Muir

In general terms, I totally agree with this. However, it's not uncommon for people to use other people to develop a load for their rifle, and if the person is offering you a "load development" service, I can't see a problem, assuming you can confirm the persons credentials !

 

[rarms]

I would suggest if someone was selling home loaded ammo, it should have been proof tested at the very least, and they should probably be insured

 

[Liveonce]

Legalities aside. It is an incredibly foolish thing to consider. The #1 rule of shooting handloads that I learned as a very, very young man is: "Never shoot anyone else's handloads." ~Muir

Understand where you are coming from, but leaving aside arguments like insurance and proof testing the number of people reloading compared to the states is very small but still significant among shooters yet how often do you hear of an accident due to reloading, now compare that to issues like .17hmr ammo quality.

 

[User00040]

The #1 rule of shooting handloads that I learned as a very, very young man is: "Never shoot anyone else's handloads." ~Muir

'Never accept loads from an unknown source, they could be hot!'...

 

[Muir]

The 17HMR has problems but there is almost zero chance of Hornady loading the wrong powder and having a gun blow up. Hornady takes responsibility for their produce.

What responsibility does the producer of said handloads have? If he has a couple at the pub and then finishes off the 'customers' reloads, what then? I am a damned good reloader with nearly 50 years and over 100 different cartridges-worth of experience but it is only under very special circumstances that I will load for someone else. I always invite someone over to teach and to use my equipment, but seldom will I load for someone. Even when they come to my shop I put the manual in front of them and show them that they are using the right powder, starting loads, and that all steps of the process are under their control and backed with data. I just walk them through it. The resulting loads are their creation, backed by data they have reviewed and agreed was appropriate.

I am not saying that the OP's chosen reloader won't be conscientious and knowledgeable but they may not be -and if they f--k up, what is the OP's recourse??~Muir

 

[J@son]

Thanks for all the responses. I had no idea it would be so clear cut.

 

[ashray]

dont ! reloaded rounds are only to be used by the loader in their firearm,if it goes wrong they can only blame them selves.

 

[Muir]

In general terms, I totally agree with this. However, it's not uncommon for people to use other people to develop a load for their rifle, and if the person is offering you a "load development" service, I can't see a problem, assuming you can confirm the persons credentials !

THen they are a commercial entity, not a 'home loader'.~Muir

 

[Muir]

Thanks for all the responses. I had no idea it would be so clear cut.

Which begs the question: Why not load your own? What cartridge are you talking about? ~Muir

 

[Lateral]

THen they are a commercial entity, not a 'home loader'.~Muir

Or should be, maybe !

 

[borbal]

Anyone selling ammo commercially in the UK, that is to the general public, is required to ensure that he ammo is CIP approved, meaning the load should be tested at a Proof House. If someone is loading ammo for you personally, then essentially the ammo is being made on your behalf and you are paying for a service, not the ammo per se. In those circumstances, the ammo should be made for your particular rifle with the usual 'working up' procedure. This is a perfectly legal procedure and done intelligently, safe as well.

 

[Malxwal]

IF the person has load developed a specific load, using YOUR rifle, and loads ammo to the specs of your chamber (head space etc), I see no issue. I used to load for a couple of pals rifles, no money changed hands.

 

[Muir]

If someone is loading ammo for you personally, then essentially the ammo is being made on your behalf and you are paying for a service, not the ammo per se.

That's splitting hairs.

...........and IF done intelligently, safe as well.

As above. ~Muir

 

[csl]

The #1 rule of shooting handloads that I learned as a very, very young man is: "Never shoot anyone else's handloads." ~Muir

Absolutely. I once 'borrowed' some .44 home loads in a speed loading event... and then the inevitable happed... it was a case that had no powder in. The lead bullet was wedged halfway up the barrel (easy removed with tapping a rod), but still. The chap who gave them to me was apologetic but the fault was all mine. Never again.

 

[Liveonce]

The 17HMR has problems but there is almost zero chance of Hornady loading the wrong powder and having a gun blow up. Hornady takes responsibility for their produce.

Tell that to the people who using hmr manage to get one stuck up the barrel and then followed it up with another shot blowing the gun up, ok the second is human error but the stuck up the barrel shot is faulty commercial ammo.
I doubt hornady paid out for a new gun, may be in the USA with your litigation attitude but very doubtful in the U.K.

However the op would be do best to load his own or team up with somebody who he can learn from and share resources.

 

[Liveonce]

Anyone selling ammo commercially in the UK, that is to the general public, is required to ensure that he ammo is CIP approved, meaning the load should be tested at a Proof House. If someone is loading ammo for you personally, then essentially the ammo is being made on your behalf and you are paying for a service, not the ammo per se. In those circumstances, the ammo should be made for your particular rifle with the usual 'working up' procedure. This is a perfectly legal procedure and done intelligently, safe as well.

Required by who? CIP approval is not a simple process. CIP approval is not mandatory in the U.K. by a quirk of fate we have two commercial shotgun cartridge manufactures who are not CIP approved for example.