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Places to shoot around the Valley?

azcdlfred

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2006
Messages
901
Location
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Hello everyone, one last real quick question and I'm not sure if this topic has been placed elsewhere although, I have looked and can't find it so please forgive me if it has. However I am wondering everyone's thoughts on never fired ammo vs. reloaded ammo. Does it make a huge difference to use reloaded ammo strictly for the range? A buddy of mine has told me about a site where I can get 100 rounds of 40 S&W reloads for $23.99 + S&H and he says they are solid reloads and he has never had a misfire with them. If anyone wants to share their thoughts that would be greatly appreciated! :lol:
Reloading is a hobby among many and an industry unto itself.

About half the cost of a cartridge is the brass casing so many folks reload ammo.

If everything is done properly nothing should go wrong. The only squibs (too little powder and bullet doesn't leave the barrel) I've seen at the range are from reloads. And, too much powder can cause guns to blow apart. There are a lot of variables (type of powder, amount of powder, casings sized properly, etc.) that may give you inconsistencies that you do not encounter with factory ammo. But, you save money.

That said, if you buy reloads from a reliable source they work just as good as factory ammo for getting bullets down range.

Regardless of what you shoot at the range I recommend that before you leave the range you run at least one magazine with your "carry" ammo to imprint how your gun shoots with the "good" ammo in your mind and body.

Fred
 

Javelina

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
125
Location
East Valley
The website is laxammo.com The reviews are good as well and it seems like a reliable company. Thanks for the advice Fred of running a magazine of "good" ammo first, I feel like I will be able to tell the difference after using a magazine of my daily defense rounds.
 

azcdlfred

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2006
Messages
901
Location
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Depends on who's reloading them Im always skeptical.
Me too.

When Bubba sells them at a gun show you don't know what you are getting. Did he size his cases? Is the bullet seated properly? Did he use cheap powder that will foul my gun? Did he save a few pennies by using slightly less powder? Was he day dreaming and forgot to check for powder? Had he just finished a 6 pack of beer and added too much powder.

The only reloads I would trust are ones I did myself.

Fred
 

Javelina

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
125
Location
East Valley
Big difference!

You're talking about a professional business, not some backwoods Duck Dynasty wannabe sitting at a gun show table selling reloads in dirty Ziploc bags for beer money.

Fred

So you would say they are good to go Fred? I also plan on picking up 50 rounds of Winchester 180g 40 S&W Hollow Point for defense/OC rounds when the next paycheck comes in. :cool:
 

azcdlfred

Regular Member
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Dec 10, 2006
Messages
901
Location
Tucson, Arizona, USA
So you would say they are good to go Fred? I also plan on picking up 50 rounds of Winchester 180g 40 S&W Hollow Point for defense/OC rounds when the next paycheck comes in.
Since they are made from a company that manufactures ammo it "should" mean that the same quality control procedures are applied to reloaded ammo.

When it comes to components, the main between a reload and new ammo is the used casing. When it's done by a business that also makes new ammo, it "should" mean that all the same bullets, primers and powder used in new ammo are used in the reloaded ammo. When it's done by Bubba at the gun show it has a stronger possibility of meaning cheaper components and less stringent quality control.

Personally, I only buy new and have a favorite brand (S&B) that I always use.

I carry and practice with the same ammo. I also only use standard "ball" ammo because (1) it will always feed properly and (2) I'm more concerned with proper shot placement than having "magic" bullets.

Fred
 
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Rusty Young Man

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Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Range report: Triune Defense

Range report: Triune Defense remanufactured .45 ACP (230 grain, Round-Nose, FMJ). I'll post photos of what Triune sells as well as some before-and-after shots of the brass and primers when I'm able to borrow a decent camera.

Ran about 135 rounds of Triune Defense remanufactured .45 ACP ALMOST without a hitch; I had one primer fail to fire (I'll get the photo up later). Afraid I would get a delayed burn, I simply pulled the hammer back with my off hand thumb and tried again... about 20 more times. No boom, so I racked the slide back quickly with equal amounts of force and trepidation to eject it. Solid primer strike(s), but no boom from it.

Compared to the WWB, the Triune Defense ammo ran much cleaner by orders of magnitude. I neglected to take a photo of my 1911s muzzle, but it only got a light smokey-brown dusting that was easily removed with a pass of my fingers; try that with WWB!:p

I don't own a chronograph or else I would have measured muzzle velocities, but I'd say it's right about on par with the WWB, but still less than the Fiocchi and Sellier&Bellot.

Conclusion:
I will continue to buy Triune Defense for plinking, and the savings in cost (only 37 cents/rd AFTER Tucson taxes) will be used to either buy more or buy a new toy in the spring.

Excluding the one round, the ammo itself ran well enough; no FTFs, FTEs, or kabooms. That said, I will only use it as plinking ammo and continue to trust my Sellier&Bellot with my life in a self defense situation.

Edit 2014/09/05:
2014-09-01 Triune Primer.jpg
 
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Javelina

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Mar 13, 2014
Messages
125
Location
East Valley
Range report: That said, I will only use it as plinking ammo and continue to trust my Sellier&Bellot with my life in a self defense situation.

So this is solid ammo? Only reason I ask is that I got 50 rounds of 40 S&W of it for free from my wife's grandpa and was going to shoot it but was told by my brother in-laws father that the ammo is no good and to not shoot it? I'd like to think my Glock 22 will take anything and will try it out next time we go shooting, however is would be reassuring to know someone else uses the same ammo, especially trusting it with their life.
 

Rusty Young Man

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Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
So this is solid ammo? Only reason I ask is that I got 50 rounds of 40 S&W of it for free from my wife's grandpa and was going to shoot it but was told by my brother in-laws father that the ammo is no good and to not shoot it? I'd like to think my Glock 22 will take anything and will try it out next time we go shooting, however is would be reassuring to know someone else uses the same ammo, especially trusting it with their life.

I can vouch only for Sellier&Bellot's .45 ACP, of which I believe I have fired ~7-800 rounds through my 1911 since I discovered it; clean (in every sense), hotter than WWB, and strong brass perfect for reloading (though I don't reload...yet;)).

I did, however, get a chance to see S&B's 9mm cartridges in action once; the ~100 rounds I was there for seemed to run flawlessly through a CZ 75 pistol.

Given my experience with S&B, I've come to expect reliable performance from them.

Maybe the brother-in-law's father had a bad experience with a bad batch some years back?
 
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Javelina

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Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
125
Location
East Valley
Maybe the brother-in-law's father had a bad experience with a bad batch some years back?

This could be true, he kept saying how it was "Machine Gun ammo" so idk what that means but ya he said it was no good, I will have to shoot it next time I go, will post results! :cool:
 

HolyOrangeJuice

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2010
Messages
221
Location
AZ
Don't know if it was mentioned but I just went to High Noon in Prescott Valley and it was awesome. Staff there are great and until the ammo prices come into play it is real cheap to shoot and rent firearms if you want to try something new. I tried a glock 42 today and I was not happy. I'll stick with the 17.
 

Javelina

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Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
125
Location
East Valley
Don't know if it was mentioned but I just went to High Noon in Prescott Valley and it was awesome. Staff there are great and until the ammo prices come into play it is real cheap to shoot and rent firearms if you want to try something new. I tried a glock 42 today and I was not happy. I'll stick with the 17.

Have considered the 42 as a CC backup but after holding my buddys I felt like I was gonna break it, there's something about the full size Glocks like your 17 and my 22 that just feel right, I feel better carrying a full size firearm. :lol:
 

Rusty Young Man

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Jun 19, 2013
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Árida Zona
Don't know if it was mentioned but I just went to High Noon in Prescott Valley and it was awesome. Staff there are great and until the ammo prices come into play it is real cheap to shoot and rent firearms if you want to try something new. I tried a glock 42 today and I was not happy. I'll stick with the 17.

Have considered the 42 as a CC backup but after holding my buddys I felt like I was gonna break it, there's something about the full size Glocks like your 17 and my 22 that just feel right, I feel better carrying a full size firearm. :lol:

If it's a small BUG you're looking for, an all-steel :)p) Makarov might fit the bill quite nicely.:)
 

Javelina

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Mar 13, 2014
Messages
125
Location
East Valley
I was going to get my Makarov :(

I was going to get my Makarov however plans have changed with my son being born so I will no be doing a full simple modifications to my Glock instead. Am excited to have a top-of-the-line Glock when all is said and done and may possibly be able to sell it in hopes of moving up to a Gen 4 when its all complete :eek:
 

jasonstorm

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2014
Messages
18
Location
AZ
Free places to shoot around the valley

I shoot in the Tonto National Forest. Head east on the 60 and once you're in the forest, look for a place to pull off. It's a little over an hour drive for me, but I usually make it a full day affair. It's fantastic out there--deserted and peaceful and the scenery is gorgeous. Also, it's mountainous so you don't have to worry about how far your shots will travel--there are plenty of backstops everywhere. I've got my favorite hill top from which I can shoot in a number of directions, at various ranges from 100-200 yards all the way to nearly 1000 yards. Most recently I've been plinking at 450 yards at a steel plate 2ft square. And even at that distance, I can hear the impact (even with my earplugs)!


I am interested in finding something a little closer, however. I live near the 17 so north near Lake Pleasant or Table Mesa would be ideal. Don't want to deal with "crowds" though. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
 

Javelina

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
125
Location
East Valley
Far East Valley

I am now in the far East Mesa borderline Apache Junction area so am looking for new stomping grounds, and help would be sweet. Thanks guys!
 

Rusty Young Man

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Jun 19, 2013
Messages
1,548
Location
Árida Zona
Sorry guys, besides the Rio Salado Sportsman's Club (http://www.riosaladosportsmans.com/), I am not too familiar with either the Tonto Natl. Forest or the East Mesa area.:( BLM land seems to be recommended often, though I've done that only down here in the Tucson area...

Just a thought: With the temperatures down in late February - early March, anyone else think we'd be able to have a nice outdoor range day? I don't have much in the realm of rifles (not able to get away too often), but I can bring something and its ammo.
 

Javelina

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
125
Location
East Valley
Outdoor range is perfect for me, BLM land or any other free space is best as well. I have never actually been shooting at an indoor range yet but we will see how I feel about them next month :cool:
 

FreeInAZ

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2012
Messages
2,508
Location
Secret Bunker
Sorry guys, besides the Rio Salado Sportsman's Club (http://www.riosaladosportsmans.com/), I am not too familiar with either the Tonto Natl. Forest or the East Mesa area.:( BLM land seems to be recommended often, though I've done that only down here in the Tucson area...

Just a thought: With the temperatures down in late February - early March, anyone else think we'd be able to have a nice outdoor range day? I don't have much in the realm of rifles (not able to get away too often), but I can bring something and its ammo.

Well I've got a TS4595 carbine that your JHP mag(s) will work just fine in ;). You might be amazed at what 45acp round can do out of a 16inch or greater barrel. ;)

You get a nice bump in velocity and accuracy IMHO.
 
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