The one thing I would question commercial ammo manufactures on is their ability to match or better the tecnical aspects such as optimal expansion at given velocities with premium bullets. Some of the larger ammo manufactures have a huge advantage with much more funds to work with in their testing phases. Other than that, some of the most consistant ammo I have ever bought has been commercial reloads.
I have never tied your line, but from a safety aspect, I would not hesitate ! i would feel much more comfortable shooting ammo coming from somewhere ran by a knowledgable loader with much tighter accountability as opposed to shooting ammo coming from a much larger manufacturer with no idea who had their hands in the process. Now, us northern members just have to get you up this way for either a gunshow or a class.
Now, I have tried that ammo. I can only speak on the 5.56... Looks so much better than Federal XM193 and shoots even more consistant. The last few times I bought the Federal, it surely looked as if their quality control went south.
You are right... Not very friendly, but thats why I load my own. Loading my own, I control issues I see as potential trouble. Using a collet type crimp die along with a polished expander ball to get good neck tension along with a healthy 10.5-11 grain charge of Blue Dot virtually eliminates any chance of bullet set-back, over charge, and a buckled shoulder... All these issues are what I have found that can get you in trouble quick with this round.
