IDPA Shooting - Factory vs Reloaded Ammo

[Guest clutepc]

This might be better in a poll format or in a different area of the site..

I'm curious if most shooters prefer factory ammo over reloading or the other way around.

It seems there is more of a risk of a bad reload in a critical situation or in competition shooting.

I don't know anything about reloading that's why I ask.

If this has already been discussed feel free to point me in the right direction.

Thanks for the input..

[Guest gsbell]

I've been shooting factory for a long time, however the prices and the amount that I intend to shoot is going to push me into reloading. Virtually all serious competitors shoot reloaded ammunition. Your own reloads can be more accurate and consistent than factory ammo.

[Guest price g]

I shoot ssp with a G-34 and the cheapest 115grain ammo I can find. When I shoot CDP I load my own, 200grain swc with 4.6 grains of w231. With a 4 inch barrel it shoots about 825ft per second.

[The Rabbi]

I shoot factory because I am too lazy to reload. My reloading press is set up for .44mag right now. It isnt working right so I havent been reloading. Once I do, I will start using my 629 3" for IDPA. I figure I stand a better chance making .44" holes than .36" ones.

[Guest Grout]

Back when I used to shoot matches I always reloaded .45 ACP and .38 SPL.When I shot 9mm I would shoot factory ammo because it was cheaper than reloading for it.Today if I were to shoot 9 I would reload due to the price increases of late.

[Guest bang-flash]

i shoot factory for now. but will be shooting reloads soon as get the powder measure sussed out.

reloads loaded down can be better gaming loads as follow up shots are faster. only concern would be big matches were they chrono your ammo.

[Guest wheelgunner100]

I shoot reloads in .38 special because it is really hard to find factory ammo that will make power floor. Just recently I have switched to factory ammo in 9mm because you don't save quite as much money reloading it as you do other calibers and I'm getting to lazy to put in the time to reload anymore.

[gunsablazin]

I shoot 2-3 IDPA matches a month, with another 3-4 practice sessions as well. On average I will fire 850 rds. of .45 ACP a month, you bet I shoot reloads! Reloads which have been made properly are just as reliable as factory made ammo, I trust mine completely to fire and function every time. The only factory handgun ammo I use is purchased for my personal defense guns, this is a legal liability issue not a reliability issue. I have heard this last point argued both ways, but for self defense, factory ammo is cheap insurance, for any other purpose I'll "roll my own".

[CatsEye]

+1

Reload my own .40s for practice and IDPA.

Factory ammo for self defense.

[Guest DrBoomBoom]

I just started IDPA, have already been reloading a bit. Right now I'm working up a 9mm round to use for ESP, should have it ready in a few weeks. I'll also load some .357 that's just a bit more than the power factor for when I start entering SSR. Reloading for .45 acp and .44 spl has definitely saved me money. I don't know about .38, and factoring in my time, probably not 9mm, but I'll get better loads that fit the gun and the matches.