Making your own ammo is legal under federal law for most Americans who can lawfully own firearms. There is no federal prohibition on personal-use ammunition reloading, and millions of American shooters handload their own cartridges legally every year.
The legal picture gets more complicated when you factor in who is doing the reloading, what type of ammo is being made, and whether it is intended for sale. Prohibited persons, armor-piercing projectiles, and commercial sale each trigger separate federal restrictions that can turn a hobby into a federal felony.
This article breaks down the exact federal law, state-by-state restrictions, license requirements, prohibited person rules, and the specific component-level restrictions that apply even to completely legal personal-use reloaders in 2026.
Is It Illegal to Make Your Own Ammo
Making your own ammo is not illegal under federal law for most Americans who are legally permitted to own firearms. The Gun Control Act of 1968 and subsequent ATF regulations do not prohibit personal-use ammunition reloading by law-abiding citizens.
The legal framework treats personal-use reloading differently from commercial ammunition manufacturing. A gun owner who loads their own cartridges for personal shooting is not considered an ammunition manufacturer under federal law. That distinction is critical because it determines whether a federal license is required and what regulatory requirements apply.
The restrictions that do exist are targeted and specific. Prohibited persons cannot reload ammo or possess ammunition components. Certain types of ammunition cannot be manufactured regardless of who is doing the reloading. And commercial sale of homemade ammo without a federal license is prohibited. Outside of those specific categories, reloading is a legal and widespread firearms practice.
Quick Legal Facts:
- Federal law: Personal-use reloading is legal for non-prohibited persons
- No federal license required for personal-use reloading
- Prohibited persons may not possess ammunition or its components
- Armor-piercing and certain specialty ammo types have separate restrictions
- Commercial sale of homemade ammo requires a federal license
Is It Legal to Reload Your Own Ammo
Yes, reloading your own ammo is legal under federal law when done by a non-prohibited person for personal use. The ATF has consistently confirmed that personal-use handloading does not trigger the commercial ammunition manufacturer licensing requirements.
Reloading, also called handloading, involves assembling cartridges from their individual components: brass casings, primers, powder, and projectiles. Each component is purchased separately and legally, and the shooter assembles them using a reloading press. This process is identical to what commercial manufacturers do, but at the personal scale it does not require federal licensing.
The legality of reloading in most states follows the federal framework. A majority of US states impose no additional restrictions on personal-use reloading beyond what federal law requires. State restrictions, where they exist, tend to focus on specific ammo types, handgun ammunition regulations in a few states, or sales restrictions rather than the reloading act itself.
Reloading Legal Status Summary:
- Federal law: Legal for non-prohibited persons for personal use
- License required: No, for personal use only
- Most states: Legal, following federal framework
- Restricted states: Some add requirements for certain ammo types or sales
- Prohibited persons: Cannot reload legally under any circumstances
Is It Legal to Make Ammunition for Personal Use
Making ammunition for personal use is legal under federal law when the maker is a non-prohibited person and the ammunition is not an otherwise prohibited type. The personal use designation is important because it is what separates legal reloading from commercial manufacturing under ATF regulations.
The ATF’s position is that a person who makes ammunition exclusively for their own use, and does not sell, transfer, or distribute it to others, falls outside the definition of an “ammunition manufacturer” under 18 USC Section 923. This means no Federal Firearms License is required and no commercial record-keeping obligations apply.
The personal use limitation is enforced through context and intent. Producing large quantities of ammunition that clearly exceed personal shooting needs, combined with evidence of sales or distribution, can lead the ATF to reclassify the activity as unlicensed commercial manufacturing. There is no specific statutory threshold for what quantity constitutes personal use, but common sense and documentation of range activity help establish the personal-use character of the reloading.
Personal Use vs. Commercial Manufacturing:
| Factor | Personal Use | Commercial Manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| License required | No | Yes (FFL Type 06) |
| Quantity limit | No specific limit | No limit with license |
| Sale permitted | No | Yes with license |
| Record keeping | Not required | Required by ATF |
| Distribution to others | Not permitted | Permitted with license |
Key Takeaway: Making ammunition for personal use is legal under federal law for non-prohibited persons, but the moment distribution or sale enters the picture, federal licensing requirements apply, and proceeding without a license is a federal crime.
Federal Law on Making Ammunition
Federal law on making ammunition is primarily governed by the Gun Control Act of 1968, codified at 18 USC Sections 921 through 930. The key provisions address who can possess ammunition, what types of ammunition are prohibited, and who must obtain a federal license to manufacture or sell it.
18 USC Section 922(a)(7) prohibits any person other than a licensed manufacturer from engaging in the business of manufacturing ammunition for pistols or revolvers or of manufacturing armor-piercing ammunition. This is the core provision that distinguishes licensed commercial manufacture from personal-use reloading. The phrase “engaging in the business of” is the key qualifier.
18 USC Section 922(g) prohibits certain categories of persons from possessing ammunition at all. This provision applies to convicted felons, persons under domestic violence restraining orders, persons with certain mental health adjudications, and other prohibited categories. It applies to finished ammunition and to components in the possession of a prohibited person.
Key Federal Statutes on Ammunition:
| Statute | What It Covers | Key Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| 18 USC 922(a)(7) | Manufacture for sale | License required for commercial ammo manufacture |
| 18 USC 922(a)(8) | Armor-piercing ammo manufacture | Prohibited without license; sporting exemption narrow |
| 18 USC 922(g) | Prohibited persons | Cannot possess ammo or components |
| 18 USC 923 | Federal licensing | FFL Type 06 required for commercial ammo manufacture |
| 18 USC 921(a)(17)(B) | Armor-piercing definition | Specific metal composition and design criteria |
Do You Need a License to Make Ammo
You do not need a federal license to make ammunition for your own personal use. A license is required only if you manufacture ammunition commercially, meaning you engage in the business of selling, transferring, or distributing ammunition to others.
The relevant license is a Federal Firearms License Type 06, issued by the ATF. This license covers ammunition manufacturers who produce ammunition for sale at the wholesale or retail level. An FFL Type 06 holder must maintain records of production, comply with ATF regulations, and submit to ATF inspections.
The cost and process for obtaining an FFL Type 06 involves completing ATF Form 7, paying the application fee (approximately $150 for a three-year license), and passing a background check and ATF compliance interview. Selling ammo you made without this license is a federal felony under 18 USC Section 922(a)(1)(B).
License Requirements by Activity:
| Activity | License Required | Consequence Without License |
|---|---|---|
| Personal-use reloading | No | N/A, legal without license |
| Giving ammo to friends (occasional) | Gray area; not “engaging in business” | May be acceptable in limited circumstances |
| Selling ammo at a gun show | Yes (FFL Type 06) | Federal felony |
| Commercial ammo production | Yes (FFL Type 06) | Federal felony |
| Making armor-piercing ammo for sale | Yes (plus separate compliance) | Federal felony |
Is Making Ammo Considered Manufacturing
Making ammo is considered manufacturing under federal law only when it rises to the level of “engaging in the business” of producing ammunition for sale or distribution. Personal-use reloading is not classified as manufacturing under 18 USC Section 923.
The ATF uses a totality-of-circumstances test to determine whether someone has crossed from personal reloading into unlicensed commercial manufacturing. Relevant factors include: whether the person is consistently selling ammo to others, whether they advertise their ammo for sale, whether the quantity produced far exceeds any conceivable personal use, and whether there is a profit motive evident from the activity.
Think of it like home brewing. A person who brews beer at home for personal enjoyment is not a brewery subject to federal brewing regulations. A person who bottles their homebrew and sells it at a farmers market is now operating as an unlicensed manufacturer. Ammunition reloading follows the same logic: personal production is fine; commercial distribution without a license is not.
Indicators That Reloading May Be Classified as Commercial Manufacturing:
- Regular sales of handloaded ammo to others
- Advertising handloaded ammo for sale online or at gun shows
- Production quantities that significantly exceed personal shooting volume
- Business records showing ammo sales income
- Customer relationships for repeat ammunition sales
Can You Sell Homemade Ammo
Selling homemade ammo without a federal license is illegal under 18 USC Section 922(a)(1)(B). The prohibition applies regardless of the quantity sold, whether the sale is online, at a gun show, or between private individuals. Selling even a single box of handloaded ammo without an FFL Type 06 is a federal crime.
The prohibition on unlicensed ammo sales is enforced by the ATF and has resulted in federal prosecutions across the country. The most common scenario involves a reloader who begins selling excess ammo to shooting friends and gradually expands to a broader customer base. At some point, a transaction is observed or reported, and the reloader faces federal charges for unlicensed dealing in ammunition.
The penalty for engaging in the business of manufacturing or selling ammunition without a license under 18 USC Section 922(a)(1)(B) is a federal felony carrying up to 5 years in federal prison. This penalty applies regardless of whether the ammunition was legal to manufacture and regardless of whether the buyer was legally permitted to purchase it.
Selling Homemade Ammo: Legal Risk Summary:
- Single sale to a friend: Technically illegal; enforcement risk is lower but exists
- Regular sales at gun shows: High enforcement risk; ATF actively monitors
- Online sales: High enforcement risk; ATF monitors online firearms marketplaces
- Advertising for sale: Creates clear evidence of “engaging in the business”
- Penalty: Up to 5 years federal prison for unlicensed dealer in ammunition
Can a Prohibited Person Reload Ammo
A prohibited person cannot legally reload ammunition. Under 18 USC Section 922(g), prohibited persons are banned from possessing ammunition. The ATF’s position, supported by federal court decisions, is that possession of ammunition components with the intent to assemble them into ammunition constitutes constructive possession of ammunition.
The prohibited person categories under 18 USC Section 922(g) include: persons convicted of any felony, persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, persons under active domestic violence restraining orders, persons adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution, illegal aliens, persons who are unlawful users of controlled substances, persons dishonorably discharged from the military, and persons who have renounced US citizenship.
The constructive possession theory is the critical legal danger for prohibited persons who think reloading components are safer to possess than finished ammunition. Federal prosecutors have successfully argued that a prohibited person who possesses primers, powder, and brass casings together is effectively possessing ammunition. This argument has been upheld in multiple federal circuit courts.
Key Takeaway: Prohibited persons cannot possess finished ammunition or the components used to make it. The constructive possession doctrine means that having all the parts of a cartridge available is legally equivalent to having the finished cartridge, and both violate 18 USC Section 922(g).
Can Felons Reload Ammunition
Felons cannot legally reload ammunition. A felony conviction creates prohibited person status under 18 USC Section 922(g)(1), which bans the possession of both firearms and ammunition. Reloading requires handling ammunition components, which constitutes possession of those components.
The ammunition prohibition for felons is absolute under federal law. There is no exception for personal-use reloading, no exception based on the non-violent nature of the felony, and no exception based on the length of time since the conviction. A felony conviction, regardless of the offense type or when it occurred, permanently prohibits the person from possessing ammunition or ammunition components.
Some states have their own firearms rights restoration processes, and federal law does recognize state-level restoration of rights under certain conditions as described in 18 USC Section 921(a)(20). However, the restoration must specifically address both firearms and ammunition rights. Partial restorations that restore only hunting rights or only state-level firearms rights may not be sufficient to remove the federal ammunition possession prohibition.
Felon and Ammo: Key Points:
- Federal prohibition: Absolute under 18 USC Section 922(g)(1)
- Components: Constructive possession theory applies; having all components is equivalent to possessing ammo
- Restoration of rights: Federal law recognizes state restorations if complete; partial restorations may not suffice
- Penalty for violation: Up to 10 years in federal prison under 18 USC Section 924(a)(2)
- Supervised release: Federal probation and supervised release conditions routinely include ammunition prohibitions
Is It Illegal to Make Armor-Piercing Ammo
Making armor-piercing ammunition without a federal license is illegal under 18 USC Section 922(a)(8). This prohibition applies to individuals, not just commercial manufacturers. Even a personal-use reloader who assembles armor-piercing ammunition for their own use is violating federal law.
The federal definition of armor-piercing ammunition under 18 USC Section 921(a)(17)(B) covers projectiles constructed entirely from specific metals: tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium. It also covers full-jacketed projectiles larger than .22 caliber where the jacket weighs more than 25 percent of the total projectile weight.
The law includes a sporting use exemption that allows certain ammunition using these projectile types if the Attorney General determines the cartridge is primarily used for sporting purposes. This exemption has been applied to some rifle calibers but is not a blanket authorization. The exemption does not apply to handgun ammunition using armor-piercing projectiles.
Armor-Piercing Ammo: Legal Status:
| Activity | Legal Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Purchasing commercial AP ammo | Civilians generally prohibited | Very limited exceptions |
| Making AP ammo for personal use | Illegal; 18 USC 922(a)(8) | No personal-use exemption |
| Making AP ammo with FFL license | Legal with license | Still subject to distribution restrictions |
| AP rifle ammo with sporting exemption | Exemption may apply | ATF must specifically approve |
| AP handgun ammo | Prohibited in nearly all cases | No sporting exemption for handguns |
Is Tracer Ammo Illegal to Make
Making tracer ammunition at home is not specifically prohibited by federal law in the way armor-piercing ammo is, but it falls into a heavily regulated category and creating it for personal use raises several legal concerns that vary by state. At the federal level, tracer rounds are classified as incendiary ammunition in some interpretations, which triggers state-level fire safety regulations.
The ATF does not have a specific prohibition on personal-use manufacture of tracer ammunition in the same way it prohibits armor-piercing manufacture under 18 USC Section 922(a)(8). However, tracer rounds contain pyrotechnic compounds that are regulated under the Consumer Product Safety Act and in many states under fire safety codes. The manufacture of pyrotechnic devices without appropriate permits is separately regulated.
Several states explicitly restrict tracer ammunition. California, for example, restricts tracer and incendiary ammunition under California Penal Code Section 30210, which prohibits manufacturing, importing, selling, or possessing flechette rounds and tracer ammo outside of military use. Other states have similar provisions as part of their dangerous weapons or explosives codes.
Tracer Ammo Legal Risks:
- Federal law: No specific personal-use prohibition equivalent to AP ammo rules
- Pyrotechnic component regulations: Apply in most states regardless of use
- State bans: California and several other states explicitly restrict tracer ammo
- Fire hazard liability: Civil liability exposure if tracer rounds cause a fire
- Military surplus tracers: Purchase and possession varies by state
Ammo Reloading Components Legal Restrictions
Reloading components are individually legal to purchase and possess for non-prohibited persons, but specific components carry their own restrictions based on their intended use or chemical properties. The legality of a component can change based on what it is being assembled into.
Smokeless powder is regulated as a hazardous material under federal transportation rules and requires specific storage and handling under state fire codes. No federal restriction prevents a legal gun owner from purchasing smokeless powder for personal reloading. However, quantities above 50 pounds require compliance with federal hazardous materials storage regulations under OSHA and fire code provisions.
Primers are classified as explosive devices for transportation purposes and are subject to hazmat shipping fees and quantity restrictions when ordering by mail. No federal law prohibits purchasing primers for personal reloading. However, several states have additional restrictions on purchasing primers through the mail or in quantities above certain thresholds, particularly California.
Component-Level Restrictions:
| Component | Federal Restrictions | State Restrictions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smokeless powder | None for personal use; hazmat above 50 lbs | Some state storage codes | Cannot be shipped as regular mail |
| Primers | None for personal use; hazmat shipping fees | California and others restrict mail purchase | Explosive classification for transport |
| Brass casings | None | None generally | No significant restrictions |
| Lead projectiles | None federally | California requires lead-free for hunting | Wildlife area restrictions in CA |
| AP-style projectiles | Restricted if assembled into AP ammo | Same as federal | Legal as component; illegal in AP assembly |
Penalty for Making Illegal Ammo
The penalty for making illegal ammunition depends on the specific violation but ranges from federal misdemeanor charges up to 10 years in federal prison for the most serious offenses. The penalties are set by statute and do not depend on whether anyone was harmed by the illegal ammunition.
Unlicensed commercial manufacture or sale of ammunition under 18 USC Section 922(a)(1)(B) carries up to 5 years in federal prison per count. Manufacturing armor-piercing ammunition in violation of 18 USC Section 922(a)(8) carries the same 5-year maximum. A prohibited person who possesses ammunition or its components in violation of 18 USC Section 922(g) faces up to 10 years in federal prison under 18 USC Section 924(a)(2).
Fines accompany prison sentences in all categories. Federal sentencing guidelines allow fines up to $250,000 for individual violations in addition to imprisonment. Courts also impose forfeiture of any reloading equipment, components, and finished ammunition used in or produced through the illegal activity.
| Violation | Governing Statute | Maximum Prison Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlicensed commercial ammo manufacture or sale | 18 USC 922(a)(1)(B) | 5 years | Per count |
| Manufacturing AP ammo without license | 18 USC 922(a)(8) | 5 years | No personal-use exemption |
| Prohibited person possessing ammo | 18 USC 922(g) | 10 years | Components included |
| Using illegal ammo in a crime of violence | 18 USC 924(c) | Mandatory consecutive sentence | Dramatically increases total sentence |
Key Takeaway: Federal penalties for illegal ammunition manufacture start at 5 years in federal prison and reach 10 years for prohibited persons, and these sentences run per count, meaning multiple violations from a single incident stack into significantly longer total sentences.
Home Ammo Reloading Laws by State 2026
State laws on home ammo reloading vary significantly in 2026. Most states follow the federal framework and impose no additional restrictions on personal-use reloading by non-prohibited persons. A smaller number of states add specific restrictions on ammo types, component purchases, or quantities.
The states with the most restrictive ammo laws tend to be the same states with the most restrictive firearms laws: California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Massachusetts. These states have enacted provisions that go beyond federal law on ammunition possession, purchase, and manufacture.
Several western states, including Arizona, Texas, Wyoming, and Idaho, impose essentially no additional state-level restrictions beyond federal requirements, making them among the most permissive environments for home ammo reloading.
| State | Additional Restrictions Beyond Federal | Key Statute | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Lead-free for hunting; AP and tracer restricted | CA Penal Code 30210, 30315 | Strict; component purchase restrictions too |
| New York | Handgun ammo purchase restrictions | NY Penal Law 400.03 | Online purchase of handgun ammo restricted |
| New Jersey | Hollow point restrictions | NJSA 2C:39-3(f) | Hollow point carry restrictions |
| Illinois | FOID required to purchase ammo | 430 ILCS 65 | Card required even for personal-use components |
| Texas | No additional restrictions | N/A | Federal rules apply |
| Arizona | No additional restrictions | N/A | Federal rules apply |
Reloading Ammo Laws California
California has some of the most restrictive ammunition laws in the United States, and they affect reloaders specifically in several ways. California Penal Code Section 30315 restricts the purchase of handgun ammunition to in-person transactions at licensed dealers, prohibiting the mail-order or online purchase of handgun caliber ammunition without using a licensed intermediary.
California’s lead projectile restriction also affects hunters who reload. California Fish and Game Code Section 3004.5 requires the use of non-lead projectiles in designated wildlife management areas and has been extended to most hunting activities statewide. Reloaders who hunt in California must use lead-free projectiles such as copper, which are generally more expensive than traditional lead bullets.
California Penal Code Section 30210 specifically prohibits manufacturing, importing, selling, or possessing flechette rounds and certain tracer and explosive bullet types. This provision applies to home reloaders who might consider producing specialty ammunition for personal use. Violation is a felony in California.
California Reloading Restrictions:
- Handgun ammo purchase: In-person at licensed dealer only; no online delivery to home
- Lead projectiles: Restricted or prohibited for hunting in most areas
- Tracer and flechette ammo: Manufacturing, possessing, or selling is a felony
- Background check: Required for each ammunition purchase transaction
- Governing statutes: CA Penal Code Sections 30210, 30312, 30315; CA Fish and Game Code Section 3004.5
Reloading Ammo Laws in New York
New York has specific ammunition purchase and possession restrictions that affect reloaders. New York Penal Law Section 400.03 requires that ammunition sellers conduct background checks on handgun and assault weapon ammunition purchases, creating a registration-like system for these calibers.
New York’s SAFE Act expanded ammunition regulations significantly. Under the SAFE Act provisions, retailers selling handgun and certain rifle ammunition must register with the state, and purchasers must consent to a background check. This system applies to commercial ammunition purchases, and while it does not directly prohibit personal-use reloading, it restricts the purchase of handgun caliber ammunition components at retail stores that comply with the law.
New York City imposes additional local restrictions that go beyond state law. NYC Administrative Code provisions restrict the possession of certain ammunition types within the city limits, and the NYPD licensing division controls ammunition-related permits at the local level.
New York Reloading Quick Facts:
- Background check: Required for handgun and certain ammo purchases
- SAFE Act: Expanded registration requirements for ammo dealers
- NYC additional restrictions: Local ordinance restrictions on ammo types
- Hollow point ammo: Legal to purchase in NY state; restricted in some contexts
- Online purchase: Subject to background check requirements; dealer compliance required
Reloading Ammo Laws in New Jersey
New Jersey has some of the strictest ammunition laws in the country. New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 2C:39-3(f) restricts the possession of hollow-point ammunition to specific locations: home, target range while shooting, and transport between those locations. This restriction directly affects reloaders who load hollow-point handgun ammunition for self-defense.
New Jersey also requires a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC) for purchasing rifle and shotgun ammunition, and a Handgun Purchase Permit for handgun ammunition. These requirements apply to commercial ammo purchases, which include the components used in reloading when purchased from a licensed dealer. A reloader in New Jersey must have the appropriate ID card before purchasing primers, powder, or projectiles for handgun calibers at a licensed retailer.
The hollow-point restriction in New Jersey creates a compliance challenge for reloaders who produce their own defensive ammunition. The ammo may be legally loaded and legally possessed at home, but transporting it outside the narrow legal window is a crime under NJSA 2C:39-3(f).
New Jersey Reloading Restrictions:
- FPIC: Required for purchasing rifle and shotgun ammunition components
- Handgun Purchase Permit: Required for handgun ammunition component purchases
- Hollow-point ammo: Restricted to home and range; transport limits apply
- Governing statute: NJSA 2C:39-3(f) for hollow point; NJSA 2C:58-3.3 for purchase requirements
- Penalty for hollow-point violation: Fourth-degree crime; up to 18 months in state prison
Can You Reload Ammo for Someone Else
Reloading ammo for someone else as a regular practice is considered engaging in the business of manufacturing ammunition under federal law and requires an FFL Type 06 license. Doing it without a license is a federal felony regardless of whether money changes hands.
The “for someone else” element is what pushes reloading out of the personal-use exemption. Federal law’s personal-use carve-out is specifically for a person making ammunition for their own shooting activity. The moment you are producing ammunition for another person’s use, you are distributing ammunition, which triggers the licensing requirement under 18 USC Section 922(a)(1)(B).
Occasional informal assistance, such as helping a friend reload a box of ammo during a joint range session where both parties handle the press, occupies a gray area. Federal prosecutors focus on pattern and intent rather than isolated incidents. However, anyone who regularly reloads ammo for others, even friends, even for free, is exposed to federal felony charges for unlicensed ammunition dealing.
Reloading for Others: Legal Risk by Scenario:
- One-time help at a range with a friend’s equipment: Lower enforcement risk; gray area
- Regularly reloading ammo for a friend or family member: Federal felony risk
- Trading reloaded ammo for services or goods: Treated as commercial sale; federal felony
- Reloading for a shooting club’s members: High enforcement risk; unlicensed commercial activity
- Reloading under an FFL Type 06: Legal for all scenarios; license covers distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to make your own ammo in the US?
No, making your own ammo is not illegal for most Americans under federal law.
Personal-use reloading by non-prohibited persons does not require a federal license and is legal in most states.
The exceptions are prohibited persons who cannot possess ammo or components, persons making armor-piercing ammo, and anyone selling homemade ammo without an FFL Type 06 license.
Do you need a license to reload ammunition?
No federal license is required for personal-use ammunition reloading.
A Federal Firearms License Type 06 is required only if you manufacture ammunition commercially, meaning you sell, transfer, or distribute it to others.
Selling even a small amount of homemade ammo without this license is a federal felony under 18 USC Section 922(a)(1)(B).
Can a felon reload ammunition?
No, felons cannot legally reload ammunition.
18 USC Section 922(g)(1) prohibits convicted felons from possessing ammunition or ammunition components.
Federal courts have applied the constructive possession doctrine to reloading, meaning possession of all the components needed to make a cartridge is legally equivalent to possessing the finished ammunition.
Is it illegal to make armor-piercing ammo at home?
Yes, making armor-piercing ammunition at home is illegal under 18 USC Section 922(a)(8).
There is no personal-use exemption for armor-piercing ammo manufacture; the prohibition applies to individuals, not just commercial manufacturers.
The penalty is up to 5 years in federal prison per count.
Can you sell ammunition you reloaded yourself?
No, selling homemade ammunition without a Federal Firearms License Type 06 is a federal felony.
The prohibition applies regardless of quantity, whether the sale is in person or online, and whether or not money changes hands.
The penalty under 18 USC Section 922(a)(1)(B) is up to 5 years in federal prison.
Home ammo reloading is legal, widely practiced, and well within the rights of any law-abiding American gun owner. The legal lines are clear once you know where to look: personal use is fine, prohibited persons are excluded, armor-piercing ammo manufacture is off limits, and selling what you make requires a federal license.
Bookmark this page as your 2026 legal reference on reloading laws. State rules continue to evolve, and staying current on your state’s specific restrictions is the best way to keep a legal hobby exactly that.
