Ammunition II
With our last article we discussed the hazards of obsolete corrosive primers and gunpowder, usually found in ammunition manufactured in the USA before 1954 and in foreign countries –well maybe still today. The bottom line was to purchase and use ONLY USA made ammunition from a major manufacturer; also avoiding down the street hand loaders who may be improperly, albeit with good intentions, but unknowingly risking you and your treasured firearm with improper loads, resized brass and the wrong primers. Re-read, and if you have questions ask me.
This article is a focus on deceptive advertising. Gun writers who make their living writing articles for major ammunition and firearms manufacturers are very knowledgeable, and in the course of their writings the assumption is the reader also can read between the lines. This is a fallacy I often see.
As an example in a recent popular gun magazine the author-shootist was decrying the forgotten advantages of a revolver cartridge: the .32H&R magnum which had some favor in the 1980’s but like many fashions and styles it faded. To write an article on the merits of this cartridge he stated that with a handgun (they) could hit a watermelon size target at 200 plus yards.
To put this into perspective to accomplish this task of accuracy you need to have a gun vice, recoil mounted that with a ballistic calculator will put you in the vicinity of the target. To better understand the visual aspects, a man standing 200 yards from you is about the size of an ant. The bullet may reach that far but it is like throwing pebbles in the water.
A handgun cartridge with common bullets is about 50 yards maximum accuracy in the hands of an experienced shootist. Yes, Elmer Keith who was a key developer of the .44 Magnum to hunt Antelope size game was an expert and could perform amazing feats. Annie Oakley also was a natural born expert. Are we? Probably not, that is why we use rifles with scopes.
The point I want to make in your ammunition pursuits is to take what you read with a grain of salt. The goal of the writer who is being paid to promote said bullet manufacturers and editors writes about what sells interest. You have to glean the details.
There are always pro and con arguments, often by the same writer at different times of the year. As an example the 9mm Luger is back in the hot spot of being a useless cartridge. This opens the door for ammunition manufacturers to promote a larger 9mm for use such as a 9x27mm as opposed to the 9×18 mm (Luger).
The original design of the 9x18mm Luger employed corrosive primers and powder which used a “hotter load” It also was a solid round nose lead bullet. Today you have slower powders (not much) but no corrosion for that treasured WWI Luger hanging on the wall rusting away. The modern bullets are mostly specialized hollow point critical defense designs that open up on contact and are devastating where in war time of days gone by were solid points.
The complexity of the subject matter needs to be addressed in a book length format, not a short sales promotional inflammatory magazine article. I would suggest for your comprehensive information: “The ABC’s of Reloading…” by Rodney James. This is a compendium of information that you will find more than just helpful. Available in hardback or Kindle; from Amazon.com
What I choose to load my weapons with is consistent with modern ammunition and the risk assessment of scenarios I may encounter this week it is groundhogs invading my garden. I also consider what my employer (police-government) may allow and the political issue of “cop killer” bullets, and such labels that will be addressed in civil court to inflame the jury lest I employ the bullets in an improper way.
Looking at handgun ammunition there is a major promotion for mini size handguns at this writing, which use small cartridges such as the .22 Long Rifle. As a defensive weapon your scenario is being attacked on a dark street by thugs bent on inflicting injury and death. There are a number of repeated incidents shown on You-Tube in this genre. The .22LR is inexpensive, concealable but of doubtful use in such an encounter.
The stopping power of a .22LR is poor, especially proven on large torsos swimming with PCP illegal drugs. Gun site Ranch, a famous gun training school proposes the .22LR to be aimed at the eye or throat. Sounds brutal and I apologize for your sensitivities with the Lady readers but that is what guns are for.
The problem is that on the dark night with a high adrenalin surge, being struck unawares and kicked unmercifully by a gang of thugs does not allow range-firing stances to deal with this scenario.
I strongly recommend real training if your risk assessment indicates such scenarios, and in all handguns the installation of a laser. The combination laser and built in tactical light is a plus – especially in the home at night.
More additions to the handgun suggest more weight and switches and of course that suggests more practice in the dark. Blank cartridges are available.
Modern handguns and rifles are now offered with “rails” which allow the addition of these tactical lasers, lights and night vision apparatus.
The bottom line is I have my own risk assessment that engages what I feel comfortable within several scenarios. Although I no longer build guns for extreme scenarios, I am still encouraging people to access real life training-not just target shooting. If I were younger, in today’s society, I would open a business that teaches and advises real life defensive techniques.
Firearms are created for death. That is a given. If you, the Dear Reader, are unwilling to take the risk of weapons use, consider martial arts training. I recommend “KRAV MAGA”.
This is a form of Israeli Ju-jitsu that is devastating and keeps you in good health.
If you are going to purchase ammunition and/or a handgun you need to research carefully what it can and cannot do to meet your needs. Remember your gun salesman “SELLS” guns. He is not trained or ready to advise what is best for you. YOU have to know what you are purchasing and what the consequences are.
Our Lead in picture is from OutdoorHub.com who sells BLANK Zombie ammunition…
God Bless,
Old Timer
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