Reloading for the XDs

[1911XDS]

Steve,

For general practice I shoot Hornady 230 gr. FMJ-FP bullets. I got 5,000 of them bulk as a deal some years ago and use them for practice in my 1911's and the XDS. With 5.0 gr. of Bullseye they have manageable recoil, function well, and are accurate. Although FMJ, I think they would do OK for defense with the FP. Pack a nice wallop! I also shoot 185 gr, XTP JHPs with 6.4 gr. of Bullseye as my defense load. They are moving smartly but the recoil is manageable in the XDS. Both loads function well in the XDS and my 1911s. BTW both loads using Winchester primers.

Ed

[bonecollector]

I have always use Barnes 230gr hollow point bullets and 5gr Alliant Bullseye gunpowder with CCI primers - 1.2" OAL. Works great in all my 45ACP handguns.

[bonecollector]

PS: For the record I never use any reloads in my concealed carry guns - only for when I practice. Don't want to have to defend in court why I reload my own ammo if I ever have to pull my pistol - and then defend my actions.

[08Clubman]

Originally Posted by bonecollector

PS: For the record I never use any reloads in my concealed carry guns - only for when I practice. Don't want to have to defend in court why I reload my own ammo if I ever have to pull my pistol - and then defend my actions.

As a guy that understands policy and procedures I understand this statement a little. As a guy that is very technical and by the book I do not understand why I would have to explain or defend my reloading in a court of law. In which case I can because I keep records, and they are within specifications.
I guess if I choose to use reloads in my carry gun or home defense gun and trust them with my life, then I defend myself with them, I go to jail?

[XDMreg]

I use 230 grain bayou Burt's with 3.7 Clays. Pleasant load for target/practice shooting.

[weeds]

not that it matters all that much but presently I am using 4.3 gr. of titegroup topped with extreme 230gr hard cast a bit smokey, but gives a nice tight group out to 15 yards and they hit exactly the same as my SD load.... federal hydra-shok

[bonecollector]

Originally Posted by 08Clubman

As a guy that understands policy and procedures I understand this statement a little. As a guy that is very technical and by the book I do not understand why I would have to explain or defend my reloading in a court of law. In which case I can because I keep records, and they are within specifications.
I guess if I choose to use reloads in my carry gun or home defense gun and trust them with my life, then I defend myself with them, I go to jail?

Stranger things have happened. There are many case studies done (see books written by Masood Ayob) that support using only factory loads when carrying. If you want to argue the point in court - be my guest. I choose the path of least resistance - so that an anti-gun prosecutor cannot use it against me. It is a personal choice that we are all free to make.

[Wisconman]

Originally Posted by 08Clubman

As a guy that understands policy and procedures I understand this statement a little. As a guy that is very technical and by the book I do not understand why I would have to explain or defend my reloading in a court of law. In which case I can because I keep records, and they are within specifications.
I guess if I choose to use reloads in my carry gun or home defense gun and trust them with my life, then I defend myself with them, I go to jail?

One of the cases cited by Massad Ayoob (in which he was an expert defense witness) involved a shooting which the shooter claimed the shooting was an accident, and the victim was killed in a struggle for the gun. However, the autopsy report noted no powder burns, etc (so appeared not to be a close range shot) so the shooter was charged with homicide. Turned out he (shooter) was using handloads. In defense testing of the reloads, given the precise loading data, the defense tests noted that due to various characteristics, and at the distances involved, there was not the typical powder marks normally expected. However, the prosecution refused to test the handloads, claiming that there was no way to be absolutely sure that what was now being claimed as the components of the reload were the same as those used in the fatal shot. As a result, defense test results were not admitted in court. Prosecution tests of factory rounds all showed characteristic powder burns. So the charges stuck, and the shooter went to trial for homicide. That is one reason why experts like Ayoob recommend against the use of handloads for defense.

Jim R

[RDP]

I load 200 swc and 4.1 grains of Trail Boss shoot very well.
Rich

[WisconsinXDS]

I'm loading 185 gr. RNHB Barry's Bullets with 4.5 grains of Clays.