Making ammunition for friends?
- Thread starter saunders278
- Start date
- Location
- West Quebec
Not recommended (liability) would be a killer the method of payment / non payment is moot your not a licensed manufacturer ..
Let them use your equipment is okay though with training..
Let them use your equipment is okay though with training..
Let me give you some advice before you do this. First find out how accurate his rifle is with factory ammo so that you have an idea of what he will be expecting.
Next, if possible have a look at the rifle to ascertain it's been properly maintained and capable of decent accuracy/performance. Once you find out which commercial ammo his rifle likes, full length resize the brass and make up a load that approximates the commercial product. Same bullet, powder, primer.
If you're planning on making something more accurate without having the rifle on hand to work out a load it likes on the range????????????????????????
If none of this is possible, pick up a couple of boxes of his favorite ammo at the local GS and call it square.
Yes. making random loads for an unseen gun then having someone who possibly can't shoot test the loads is a waste of time for all concerned.Borrow the gun,work out a load .Show them the targets and if they can't duplicate it so it goes.Remove the variables.
I have done it.
Easy for a handgun. If I don't load that caliber, he buys the dies and bullets and supplies the brass. I much prefer that Buddy comes over and we load the ammo together. Failing that, I load a medium power load and he is good to go. If possible, I borrow the gun so I can make sure the ammo fits/feeds/cycles.
For rifle, it is imperative you have the rifle, so you can make sure the brass fits, but is not over-sized, and that the OAL is ok.
The points above about getting some performance info with factory ammo is very good. It has been my experience that any miss on the target is always blamed on the ammo - the ammo maker.
Easy for a handgun. If I don't load that caliber, he buys the dies and bullets and supplies the brass. I much prefer that Buddy comes over and we load the ammo together. Failing that, I load a medium power load and he is good to go. If possible, I borrow the gun so I can make sure the ammo fits/feeds/cycles.
For rifle, it is imperative you have the rifle, so you can make sure the brass fits, but is not over-sized, and that the OAL is ok.
The points above about getting some performance info with factory ammo is very good. It has been my experience that any miss on the target is always blamed on the ammo - the ammo maker.
This is truth. If you give him a fish today he will b back tomorrow looking for another free fish. If he wants to reload with your equipment and guidance, go for it.
I realize my response may sound cranky, but I've gotten tired of using my gear, time, and components because someone else is too lazy or cheap.
I absolutely refuse to load for any friend unless i can spend some time with him AND HIS RIFLE.
I want to be able to tailor the load to his rifle, and prove it myself. It must be safe. [This means NO loads
that show even the faintest hint of excess pressure in warm weather] It must be as accurate as the
rifle is capable of. If any component is changed, or a new powder lot is used, I want the rifle again.
If he is willing, I will teach him to load his own ammo properly.
Eagleye.
I want to be able to tailor the load to his rifle, and prove it myself. It must be safe. [This means NO loads
that show even the faintest hint of excess pressure in warm weather] It must be as accurate as the
rifle is capable of. If any component is changed, or a new powder lot is used, I want the rifle again.
If he is willing, I will teach him to load his own ammo properly.
Eagleye.
I've loaded hunting ammunition for one friend for several years who wasn't a reloader. He provides everything, I worked up the loads in his rifle and we took it to the range ran the test loads through the chrono and sighted it in. I loaded about 50 rds. at a time for a few years he filled his deer tags and killed coyotes with the rest. Other than that instance I never reload for anyone else,shoot anyone else's reloads or let them shoot my loads in their gun.
If a friend came over with his gun, I would make some ammo for him with him involved as much as possible. it would be tailored to his gun and his needs, ideally we could test it together to determine how well it worked or if the load needed work.
saunders278
CGN Regular
I may have posted this without giving it much thought, I was just thinking legalities. Good point though, he want 270 Winchester ammo, and I just spent 4 hours at my bench to turn out 50 rds.
I'll just let him in on the secret that you don't save much money with rifle reloads.
Thanks,
-K
Some are just cheap
Have had a friend ask me to reload his 308
Asked him to buy dies and would of helped him with his rifle in place
Refused to buy dies, as brought on a new expense for him
Myself i refuse to readjust dies that are fully set up for my target 308...
Have had a friend ask me to reload his 308
Asked him to buy dies and would of helped him with his rifle in place
Refused to buy dies, as brought on a new expense for him
Myself i refuse to readjust dies that are fully set up for my target 308...
Well in 308 the savings are substantial, if you don’t count your time
As far as rifle goes, i do offer to make a full shopping list, keeping it reasonable (won’t suggest co-ax press and fx120 scale to start up as an example), and offer to set up
Other than that, yeah, got my hands full reloading for me
