Frequently Asked Questions
We have compiled a list of common questions here. If your question is not answered, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Sales
Q: Do you sell online or accept credit cards?
A: At this time we are concentrating on local sales but plan to offer a full-featured shopping cart in the future. In the meantime we can take orders through email or telephone and are willing to make deliveries of at least one case in the Austin and Houston area.
Q: Can I place a mail order?
A: Yes, but we sell only in case quantity by mail and require payment (money order or cashiers check) in advance before shipping.
Q: Do your prices include all applicable taxes?
A: Yes, our price includes the Federal Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET) and any applicable state and local sales taxes required by law. Our price is inclusive with no hidden charges.
Q: Do you have a brass return policy?
A: Yes, we do have a brass return program for customers wishing to have us load ammunition for them. We do not, however, purchase casings from customers to be used in our Value Line production.
Ammunition
Q: What is the difference between the Value and Premium lines of ammunition?
A: The only difference is that the brass casing for the Value Line has been fired once before and must processed to return it to SAAMI specifications. All other components are brand new, the loading process is exactly the same as new ammunition, and it must pass the same quality control checks as new ammunition. The significant savings from reusing the brass casing are passed onto you, which means you can shoot more for less.
Q: How safe is using brass after it has been fired once?
A: Most people not employed in a manufacturing industry don't realize that almost every product that has a reliability specification has been "once-fired", so to speak, before the consumer receives it. The monitor you are viewing this page on and the CPU running your computer were both subject to testing, known in the industry as burn-in or accelerated testing, before they were shipped. Typically, the testing conditions are extreme in terms of temperature and voltage so that they catch what are known in industry as early-life fails. When you stop and analyze the situation from an engineering point of view, a strong case can be made that a standard once-fired brass casing is as safe or safer than a new case since it has already passed its first pressure test without failing. Do you really know if that new casing has a void in the case head, if its walls are thick enough to hold the working pressure, or that it has a flash hole? With once-fired brass it has either been fired and survived or it did not and we don't use casings that fall into the latter category.
Q: I've heard "reloads" can blow up my gun, why would I buy them?
A: You wouldn't throw away your car every time you refuel it so why would you throw away perfectly good brass because its been fired once? Almost all brass casings can be successfully loaded more than once and low pressure pistol brass can be used successfully for scores of loadings without failing. Due to our processing methodology, our Value Line ammunition is just as safe and functional as ammunition utilizing a new brass casing. The "reloads" that you hear about blowing up guns are produced by hobbyists who aren't following industry standards or using a safe manufacturing acumen. There are idiots in every facet of life, don't let the stupidity of a few confuse you with the ammunition produced by a knowledgeable commercial manufacturer like PBR. Would you stop driving your car because some shade-tree mechanic with the same model care blew up the engine after "tweaking" it a bit?
Q: If "reloads" are safe, why do I hear "gun gurus" talk bad about them?
A: The term "reload" is generally used as a pejorative by people who aren't very knowledgeable about ammunition manufacturing. They heard about some guy from another guy who blew up his gun shooting some other guy's "reloads", saw a picture of a destroyed gun, or watched some yokel on YouTube violate firearm safety rules. The classic is some "expert" trying time after time to stuff a round in the chamber of his weapon after an obvious squib and then, suprise, he puts a bullet right into another bullet. You won't, however, find a video featuring ammunition from reputable commercial manufacturers blowing up a gun for the same reason you won't find videos of people being poisoned by commercial food manufacturers, it would put the manufacturer out of business. PBR is not some careless hobbyist loading haphazardly like a mad scientist, we have a well established manufacturing process so you can be assured that all our rounds meet every applicable SAAMI specification.
Q: What about shooting "reloads" in my Glock?
A: We have a stable of Glocks used for testing every lot of ammunition that we produce for feed, function, and performance. As a manufacturer involved in constant test and development we fire more rounds of ammunition than your average enthusiast and the laws of statistics favor us finding problems. Some Glock models have generous chambers to improve feeding that leave a portion of the case head unsupported, such as the Model 21 45ACP. This can be verified by taking a barrel, placing a round in it, marking the portion left exposed above the feed ramp, and cross-sectioning it to show the unsupported area. The lack of support can lead to case head failure and the release of gas into the action and magazine area of the weapon. This condition is exacerbated by brittle brass (repeated reforming or improper heat treatment) and can happen for both low pressure cartridges like the 45ACP and higher pressure cartridges like the 40S&W. This phenomena can occur ammunition manufactured with new brass and once-fired brass, so the user in urged to check their barrel for adequete support.
Q: What can PBR and I do about case head failures?
A:
PBR does its part to minimize the risk of this occuring by sourcing once-fired brass to minimize the stress the brass has undergone and ensuring all our loadings are well within the SAAMI specifications for pressure. Even at low pressure, fatigued or improperly manufactured brass in a loose chamber can result in head failure and gas release into the weapon. Since PBR has no control over the condition of your weapon but we recommend that if a user is concerned that they purchase a barrel with better case head support than is offered by their current weapon after testing for inadequete case head support. Barrels with better support than that some OEM barrels are offered by manufactures like KKM, Storm Lake, Jarvis, and others. Note that a case head failure is distinct from a failure due to overpressure due to careless loading techniques, such as a double charge of powder.
Q: How are once-fired casings processed?
A: The casings are first inspected for cracks, dents, or foreign objects. The casing is then sized back down to SAAMI specs, trimmed if necessary, and then loaded in the same way a brand new casing would be. So, except for the processing of the brass before loading, the process is identical between our Premium and Value Lines, so if you are afraid to shoot ammunition with once-fired brass then you probably shouldn't shoot any ammunition at all. Remember millions of rounds manufactured using once-fired brass by commercial manufacturers are shot every year without an issue.
Q: Are you insured?
A: Absolutely. Like all responsible manufacturers we carry liability insurance just in case the unthinkable happens with our product. Remember, just like you don't carry automotive liability insurance so you can go drive like you were in a destruction derby, PBR doesn't carry insurance so we can sell defective products. Our manufacturing process is solid and we are always working on continuous improvements to our process so that it only gets better. One of our top goals as a manufacturer is to never have to call our insurance agent to file a claim.
Q: My Value Line ammunition has some stains on it, why is that?
A: While we strive to make our Value Line casings as clean as possible, due to the fact that the brass has been shot in a non-production setting it may have some stains on it. Small discoloration or cosmetic blemishes in no way affects the performance of the ammunition and it can safely be fired without concern.
Q: Do you load defensive ammunition?
A: No, we are currently focused on producing ammunition geared toward the practice market. Some of our loads do feature hollow points, such as the 357 Sig, but those loads are not comparable to purpose-built defensive ammunition utilizing hollow points such as Remington's Golden Sabre or Winchester's Ranger Talon. While our loads, like all ammunition, can be lethal they are not engineered specifically for defensive purposes.
Q: Why don't you use Styrofoam trays to hold your ammunition like other manufacturers?
A: When we analyzed the cost of packaging, two things bothered us. First the cost of the Styrofoam inserts and second that they simply end up in the trash. Our custom box allows us to pack 100 rounds in tightly to prevent shifting, minimize the waste (they hold small parts very well), and keep our costs down. As we add more calibers to our line-up we'll produce different size boxes which minimize the use of the spacers we currently employ. We're not trying to save the earth, just save you some of your hard earned green.
Q: You don't offer the caliber I want, why not?
A: We are working to expand our caliber offering each quarter. Please contact us and let us know what calibers you desire and as we get enough demand we will expand our offering to include the calibers with the highest interest first.
Non-Standard Loads
Q: I have a firearm chambered in xyz caliber, can you produce ammunition for me?
A: We can make custom ammunition runs to your specification but would require a minimum volume to setup and execute our production process. Contact us if you are interested to see if we can meet our needs
Q: If I supply components can you produce your standard load for me?
A: We can produce our standard loads using your components if you desire. Please keep in mind that we test every load and will need to sample the lot to ensure it meets our specifications. If you desire a custom load, we could do that as long as your request does not violate SAAMI specifications and your volume is sufficient to support our setup. Contact us with your needs to see if we can fill your needs.
Problems
Q: I'm having feed issues, what do I do?
A: Depending on the type of failure, the problem may not be with the ammunition. First ensure that the feed ramp is clean, that your magazines are in good condition, and that the firearm is properly lubricated. Ejection issues, such as stove piping, are generally associated with grip issues but if you have a long slide gun, greater than 5", our moderate loads may not completely cycle the slide if the recoil spring is strong. If you continue to have problems, please contact us so that we can help you.
Q: What if ammunition doesn't chamber in my gun?
A: All of our loads are within SAAMI specifications and are tested in our custom SAAMI minimum chamber gage. If your chamber meets the SAAMI specs, then our ammunition will chamber. If you are having problems, contact us so that we can help you.
Q: I pulled the trigger and there was only a small retort, what gives?
A: While it is uncommon, it is possible for a misfire to occur when shooting. The problem could be with the primer or the gun, but the important thing to remember is NOT to attempt to chamber another round for firing. If a small retort, or no retort at all, is observed, keep the gun pointed in a safe direction for a reasonable amount of time to ensure a hang-fire has not occurred. Then, carefully, unload the round minimizing exposure to it. Check the bore for obstructions and ensure the firearm is functioning properly before trying to fire another round.
General Warnings
Due to the small bearing surface of the neck, the 357 Sig cartridge is more susceptible to bullet setback than other common straight wall cartridges. PBR has chosen a specific bullet design and uses a compressed powder charge to help alleviate setback issues. However, the user should still exercise caution. If a round is chambered multiple times, check to ensure the bullet has not setback i.e. it is no longer being held by the bearing surface of the neck. If setback occurs do NOT fire the round because an overpressure situation may occur, instead dispose of the round according to all applicable laws.
PBR recommends that every user of our ammunition check their weapon chamber for proper case support and replace any barrel showing excessive area unsupported with a quality barrel that fully supports the case head to prevent case head failure.