Buying reloads

no_agenda · December 19, 2009, 11:21 PM

I've run across some reloading websites, and would like to order (they have a boat load of .380) but am concerned im gonna get a crappy load and have a ka-boom. Im looking at a site called right2bearammo.com Anyone use them or can recommend where i can get some .380?

freakshow10mm · December 19, 2009, 11:55 PM

I'm sure they have liability insurance.

I've never heard of them but I'm sure it's fine. If you're worried, call them and talk to them a bit. Feel them out. If they sound shady or give you "one liners", steer clear. Always beware of a "licensed" manufacturer or reloader that doesn't have their name on the box. If they aren't willing to put their name on it, that means you can't prove it's theirs and they won't stand by their work.

This outfit seems legit, but like I said, call them.

These are red flags to look for:

No name on the ammo box.
No lot number on the box.
Just doesn't "feel" right.
Zero or limited (ie email only) contact info on website.
Address is a PO Box only, no street address.

BTW, I load .380 FMJ and my new .380 FMJ ammo is $350/case, packed in 10 boxes with 100rds loose pack in each box. They are dumping 1,000 rounds in a plastic bag, dropping it in a box, and sending it on its way. How they care for the products by packaging methods also comes to mind. Their prices seem really high to me. Also look at the .380 pic in the "Protection Series" link. Different head stamps. For plinking/practice ammo that's fine. For defense work, I would never carry mixed stamp ammo.

I load my own ammo for defense too and it's all the same headstamp. Remanufactured defense ammo is fine, as if no brass flaws show up after one firing, it will hold up again. New brass hasn't "proven" itself yet, we just take it for granted because it's new.

So my opinion, both as a handloader and as a commercial ammo manufacturer (new and reloads):

Plinkers should be fine. I'd pass on their defense ammo. Price is high, still with the market conditions you can do better. If you feel comfortable paying that price I back you 100% with your decision and that's fine if you agree the price is worth that.

It's supply and demand economics here. He has it for X price; pay it or shop around.

no_agenda · December 20, 2009, 12:16 AM

Those are great prices you have and I am very interested in your product freakshow,yet I visited your site and it stated it was sold out?

freakshow10mm · December 20, 2009, 12:38 AM

Yup. Out of stock on most everything. Dealer came through and wiped me out. Had 6,000 rounds of .380 ACP, but he took it all. Right now .380 (as you know) and .45 are getting harder to find.

I will have more in stock come January once I clear out the back orders. I won't be loading again until then. Trying to keep things low now for inventory on January 1st. First run will be .223 Remington and I should have about 50,000 rounds in stock.

no_agenda · December 20, 2009, 01:14 AM

Indeed it is getting hard. 45 where I am is coming back,as is 9mm. So I will just assume your 380 will be in around February?

freakshow10mm · December 20, 2009, 01:17 AM

January or February. Bullets are easy, it's the brass that's scarce. Have a few leads but just have to wait.

no_agenda · December 20, 2009, 01:24 AM

Aawesome...anyone else?

freakshow10mm · December 20, 2009, 01:45 AM

Bueller...Bueller?

Uncle Buck · December 20, 2009, 02:16 AM

I like the advice he gave you. I was at a gun show in Kansas City and one of the dealers there had reloads. They were packaged in plastic zip-lock type bags and the caliber was written on with a sharpie.

No info on the bullet weight, no idea of who actually manufactured them. Although at the time I did need some of what he was selling, I decided to pass.

If something had happened, I had no way to contact him. The only thing he said about the ammo was to the effect that if I did not buy them, someone else would.

ccw08 · December 20, 2009, 02:21 AM

I have seen the same guy at the KC gun shows, he says the are all factory ammo but they sure look like reloads. I would not worry about buying reloads from a reputable dealer who had a storefront that I could walk in to ask questions but I draw the line when it comes to buying someones reloads off craigslist or at gun shows lol.

I did however get a great deal from him on a case 223 wolf ammo that was 75 bucks less than everyone else in the area, nice guy, hopefully has good stuff lol

December 19, 2009, 11:21 PM	#1
no_agenda Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Posts: 30	Buying reloads I've run across some reloading websites, and would like to order (they have a boat load of .380) but am concerned im gonna get a crappy load and have a ka-boom. Im looking at a site called right2bearammo.com Anyone use them or can recommend where i can get some .380?

December 19, 2009, 11:55 PM	#2
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	I'm sure they have liability insurance. I've never heard of them but I'm sure it's fine. If you're worried, call them and talk to them a bit. Feel them out. If they sound shady or give you "one liners", steer clear. Always beware of a "licensed" manufacturer or reloader that doesn't have their name on the box. If they aren't willing to put their name on it, that means you can't prove it's theirs and they won't stand by their work. This outfit seems legit, but like I said, call them. These are red flags to look for: No name on the ammo box. No lot number on the box. Just doesn't "feel" right. Zero or limited (ie email only) contact info on website. Address is a PO Box only, no street address. BTW, I load .380 FMJ and my new .380 FMJ ammo is $350/case, packed in 10 boxes with 100rds loose pack in each box. They are dumping 1,000 rounds in a plastic bag, dropping it in a box, and sending it on its way. How they care for the products by packaging methods also comes to mind. Their prices seem really high to me. Also look at the .380 pic in the "Protection Series" link. Different head stamps. For plinking/practice ammo that's fine. For defense work, I would never carry mixed stamp ammo. I load my own ammo for defense too and it's all the same headstamp. Remanufactured defense ammo is fine, as if no brass flaws show up after one firing, it will hold up again. New brass hasn't "proven" itself yet, we just take it for granted because it's new. So my opinion, both as a handloader and as a commercial ammo manufacturer (new and reloads): Plinkers should be fine. I'd pass on their defense ammo. Price is high, still with the market conditions you can do better. If you feel comfortable paying that price I back you 100% with your decision and that's fine if you agree the price is worth that. It's supply and demand economics here. He has it for X price; pay it or shop around.

December 20, 2009, 12:16 AM	#3
no_agenda Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Posts: 30	Those are great prices you have and I am very interested in your product freakshow,yet I visited your site and it stated it was sold out?

December 20, 2009, 12:38 AM	#4
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	Yup. Out of stock on most everything. Dealer came through and wiped me out. Had 6,000 rounds of .380 ACP, but he took it all. Right now .380 (as you know) and .45 are getting harder to find. I will have more in stock come January once I clear out the back orders. I won't be loading again until then. Trying to keep things low now for inventory on January 1st. First run will be .223 Remington and I should have about 50,000 rounds in stock.

December 20, 2009, 01:14 AM	#5
no_agenda Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Posts: 30	Indeed it is getting hard. 45 where I am is coming back,as is 9mm. So I will just assume your 380 will be in around February?

December 20, 2009, 01:17 AM	#6
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	January or February. Bullets are easy, it's the brass that's scarce. Have a few leads but just have to wait.

December 20, 2009, 01:24 AM	#7
no_agenda Member Join Date: December 18, 2009 Posts: 30	Aawesome...anyone else?

December 20, 2009, 01:45 AM	#8
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	Bueller...Bueller?

December 20, 2009, 02:16 AM	#9
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,592	I like the advice he gave you. I was at a gun show in Kansas City and one of the dealers there had reloads. They were packaged in plastic zip-lock type bags and the caliber was written on with a sharpie. No info on the bullet weight, no idea of who actually manufactured them. Although at the time I did need some of what he was selling, I decided to pass. If something had happened, I had no way to contact him. The only thing he said about the ammo was to the effect that if I did not buy them, someone else would.

December 20, 2009, 02:21 AM	#10
ccw08 Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2008 Location: Northwest Missouri Posts: 170	I have seen the same guy at the KC gun shows, he says the are all factory ammo but they sure look like reloads. I would not worry about buying reloads from a reputable dealer who had a storefront that I could walk in to ask questions but I draw the line when it comes to buying someones reloads off craigslist or at gun shows lol. I did however get a great deal from him on a case 223 wolf ammo that was 75 bucks less than everyone else in the area, nice guy, hopefully has good stuff lol