Can you mix ammo?

[Jade Terfin]

I thought of this just now concerning hollow point and regular bullets. But I am also wondering if it was okay when I went to the range and was reloading from a new box from 115 to 124 grain and vice versa. The different grains are probably no big deal. But if I was ever in a situation where I had hollow points and for some reason still had a few loaded, but only had regular bullets to load to fill the magazine, would that be okay? I know this is a dumb question. But hopefully I can get an answer and then just delete or close this thread. Thank you so much!

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[Nosferatu]

When you're low on gin and rich in vodka, finishing the martini is most important.

 

[Sporting Systems]

I thought of this just now concerning hollow point and regular bullets. But I am also wondering if it was okay when I went to the range and was reloading from a new box from 115 to 124 grain and vice versa. The different grains are probably no big deal. But if I was ever in a situation where I had hollow points and for some reason still had a few loaded, but only had regular bullets to load to fill the magazine, would that be okay? I know this is a dumb question. But hopefully I can get an answer and then just delete or close this thread. Thank you so much!

View attachment 1952728

A couple of things to offer for your consideration. Questions are good, don't be ashamed or embarrassed, you're learning and that's awesome. Be mindful though, the internet is the perfect place to get accurate answers 100% of the time

1) The non HP may over penetrate and continue down range. Potentially an issue downrange for non targets., but also not performing as expected on the original target.
2) Very different recoil between rounds, consistency for training and real life is very helpful.
3) Potential for malfunction. Different firearms "like" some rounds, versus others. Be sure your firearms likes both.

Practice with range ammo. Keep fresh using it.
Practice with your defense ammo. Not as much as the range ammo, but make sure you're used to the felt recoil, muzzle flash, etc. Also, validates that your gun likes it, and it will perform when needed.

Continue on your journey and enjoy the adventure.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Some folks regularly load their firearms with different ammo in anticipation of the threat they think they might face, hikers might load their revolvers with two rounds of snake shoot followed by 4 rounds of self defense ammo and I have worked a couple places where the behind the counter shotgun was loaded two rounds of buck and the rest slugs on the theory that anything that needed shooting after the first two shots might be hiding behind something

 

[arakboss]

I load cheap FMJs and high end HPs in the same mags. The FMJs are for the shots I miss and the HPs for the shots that connect.

 

[orygun]

I've intentionally have loaded different ammo into my shotgun, alternating between buckshot and slugs.
The comments above about a non hollow point having more penetration than wanted/needed could be a valid concern. Do you live in a rural area or in an apartment? Big difference between those situations.
There have been times I was short a few rounds to load up a mag for carry, usually the extra mag. In those instances, I have loaded the few non-HP into the mag first, topped by the HP rounds. I don't do it for any reason besides filling the mag.

 

[TTSX]

As long as it starts with a "4" and ends with a "5" it doesn't matter

 

[Jade Terfin]

I've intentionally have loaded different ammo into my shotgun, alternating between buckshot and slugs.
The comments above about a non hollow point having more penetration than wanted/needed could be a valid concern. Do you live in a rural area or in an apartment? Big difference between those situations.
There have been times I was short a few rounds to load up a mag for carry, usually the extra mag. In those instances, I have loaded the few non-HP into the mag first, topped by the HP rounds. I don't do it for any reason besides filling the mag.

Unfortunately at this time, I do live in an apartment. I am very well aware of where the connecting apartment walls are. Where my son's room walls are. But of course, I know that in a life or or death situation, I will be panicking. But in my heart, I do hope that I take account of that in those split seconds.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Over the years some firearms trainers and legal experts (most notably Massad Ayoob) have recommended using the same lot of ammo in all you magazine and writing down the date you loaded the mags on the box flap This way if you are in a SD shooting and any questions arise about the distance to the person you had to shoot come up the police can use that info to get duplicate ammo for testing gunshot residue patterns.
JMHO, but although I do agree that is a valid concern it's not one would lose any sleep over in the situation you described

 

[Jade Terfin]

A couple of things to offer for your consideration. Questions are good, don't be ashamed or embarrassed, you're learning and that's awesome. Be mindful though, the internet is the perfect place to get accurate answers 100% of the time

1) The non HP may over penetrate and continue down range. Potentially an issue downrange for non targets., but also not performing as expected on the original target.
2) Very different recoil between rounds, consistency for training and real life is very helpful.
3) Potential for malfunction. Different firearms "like" some rounds, versus others. Be sure your firearms likes both.

Practice with range ammo. Keep fresh using it.
Practice with your defense ammo. Not as much as the range ammo, but make sure you're used to the felt recoil, muzzle flash, etc. Also, validates that your gun likes it, and it will perform when needed.

Continue on your journey and enjoy the adventure.

Great insight and advice as always! I have yet to shoot the HP. Now here's a question…are you even allowed to shoot HP at a range or is that prohibited ammo? But that will be a few rounds I shoot next week when I get to go shoot outside, not at a range. But thank you for the comment. All noted.

 

[DLS]

Hollow point ammo is allowed on every range I'm aware of.

What is not allowed (almost always) are bullets containing a steel core or steel jacket. If a magnet sticks to the bullet it is a no go. The steel can damage range equipment, ricochet, and spark causing a risk of fire.

 

[Koda]

You can mix but its less than ideal.

Tip, avoid using +P ammo and most practice ammo will feel the same as the expensive self defense ammo for faster followup shots....

 

[Kruel J]

Load em up however you like. You'll notice a change in felt recoil but no big deal.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

avoid using +P ammo

This! There was a time, 40 or 50 years ago, when the +P performed significantly better than the 'standard' ammo, but that was because the standard ammo was ball or wadcutter ammo while the high performance +P stuff was loaded with hollow points. Modern HP rounds work great at standard pressures with less recoil and muzzle blast.

But that being said, the old Treasury/FBI 38 spl+P LSWCHP load will forever be a favorite of mine

 

[Koda]

Yeah, Zero "need" to run +P with modern ammo, only negatives.

Now where'd I put my flame suit....

 

[Kruel J]

I agree with you both. I do run +P .38 specials in my GP100 but I inherited them from my dad so I don't even know if they are widely commercially available anymore.

 

[Tony617]

I do not mix lot numbers when I load the magazines for real world purposes. For the gun range I sometimes run out a.certain 9mm lot number so I then load a different lot number. For HD, I shoot a few magazines worth of same lot number first before I load my magazines.

 

[WillametteWill]

Now here's a question…are you even allowed to shoot HP at a range or is that prohibited ammo?

There are some indoor ranges where you cannot have any lead exposed. I have not come across any in Oregon, but it should say on their website. Pretty rare but they are out there.

 

[Alexx1401]

I thought of this just now concerning hollow point and regular bullets. But I am also wondering if it was okay when I went to the range and was reloading from a new box from 115 to 124 grain and vice versa. The different grains are probably no big deal. But if I was ever in a situation where I had hollow points and for some reason still had a few loaded, but only had regular bullets to load to fill the magazine, would that be okay? I know this is a dumb question. But hopefully I can get an answer and then just delete or close this thread. Thank you so much!

View attachment 1952728

Sporting Systems gives some great advice on this. I am guessing here you are talking a 9mm? If so what I do with mine is for range / fun I buy ball ammo by the case based on what they have in known brands that the best price. At the range I can't seem to see any real difference when I am shooting 115 and 124. So for practice does not matter. For defense I prefer a good HP in 124. In real shootings they seem to be the sweet spot. As mentioned the ball ammo in either weight will penetrate a lot. In the early days of them making soft body armor the simple 9mm ball was a round only the best vests could stop. If I found myself for some reason with not enough ammo to fill a mag I would have the top rounds the HP's.

 

[Jade Terfin]

Sporting Systems gives some great advice on this. I am guessing here you are talking a 9mm? If so what I do with mine is for range / fun I buy ball ammo by the case based on what they have in known brands that the best price. At the range I can't seem to see any real difference when I am shooting 115 and 124. So for practice does not matter. For defense I prefer a good HP in 124. In real shootings they seem to be the sweet spot. As mentioned the ball ammo in either weight will penetrate a lot. In the early days of them making soft body armor the simple 9mm ball was a round only the best vests could stop. If I found myself for some reason with not enough ammo to fill a mag I would have the top rounds the HP's.

Yes, 9mm. And that is really helpful. Thank you! I'm going to try to see if there are any places locally that sell cases for reasonable prices. If not, I guess I'll have to buy online. I kind of wanted to avoid that because…well, I'm not sure if it alerts authorities that watch and are suspicious of buying that much? But I'm new and have no idea if that actually isn't monitored. So far, Federal, Blazer and PMC are the brands I've used and all have ran fine between 115 and 124. This one small box of 115 grain HPs say Sierra. I'm sure they're fine. But I will get a box of 124 HP to have on hand now, too.