Dangers of reloading.

[MartinS]

Hi all

Some of you may know from my current thread that I've been looking into reloading.

What are the dangers of reloading? What could and has gone wrong to you reloaders out there.

Thanks

[bnz41]

If you check and double check each stage of your reloading and complete each stage before moving on to the next there should be no dangers I always check the powder weight 1 in every 5 again before loading the bullet.

[EagerNoSkill]

Never evre reload whilst drunk, tipsy or "sipping" OR smoking OR tired OR distracted.

STEP 0 : Get the best equipment you can afford and the right measuring tools and gauges
- buy once - cry once

STEP 1 : Read some reloading manuals - carefully - Lyman and Sierra as start
Read again, read again - do a refresher read once a year
It amazing what nuances you start seeing and understanding as your experience grows
- watch for complacency

STEP 2 : Have an experienced reloader walk you through steps - and help you show the ropes and tips and checks to make sure you follow a solid repeatable process
- Watch your fingers the case have sharp edges and press have massive force - not a good combo recipe for crushed / cut finger tips / knuckles!

STEP 3 : Work neat and tidy - watch for spills (powder / chemcials) and storage of components (kibble hey Heather )
Make notes and refer to them
Work in small batches say 20 cases in a tray check powder charges with a small torch
If you hit a "snag" - pause assess check re-assess decide action

NEVER force anything in reloading - the leverage on a press is massive if it ain't working something is wrong - STOP.

STEP 4 : Make sure you have the correct components (cases, primers, powder)
- 40 grains of pistol powder instead of rifle powder will ruin your eyes, gun and much more

STEP 5 : Right bullet for powder eg 185 on 155 charge not good
BUT also make sure you dont load a .311 bullet in you .308!!

STEP 6 : Make sure you have a safety margin - in charges and seating depth - if you change bullets or even lot by lot CHECK :roll:

STEP 7 : Be aware of SHORT loads - strong evidence that a short charge (say 20gn instead of 45gn) may lead to detonations

STEP 8 : Check cases - case head separation or primer pocket expansion will happen wtfwtf even if you have done everything perfectly.
..... it is a foreseeable and known result of using a case - just check for it

WRITE IT DOWN
Write the core info on the a slip of paper OR bullet itself with a sharpie
* Bullet
* Powder / Charge
* AOL / Neck tension
* Specific gun laoded for
T
Only takes a few minutes and a few weeks/months down the way you will be happy you did

Sure people can add plenty to the above!

[20series]

As a beginner the best policy is take your time and check everything you do.

If you have different powders make sure they are clearly labeled so u dont accidently load wrong powders.

With rifle calibres its near impossible to double charge a case but pistol calibres its very easy.
Keep notes of what you've done and soon you'll be an old hand.

Alan

[ovenpaa]

If you are using a system such as the RCBS ChargeMaster never ever leave powder in the system as many powders look similar yet have very different burn characteristics and it is easy to forget what you were loading last.

We also use a torch to visually check all filled cases as a final check prior to seating bullets.

[Alpha1]

If you use a powder dispenser fill it up with your chosen powder and re load ammo.
When you finnish empty your powder dispenser back in to the tub it came out of. This way you do not get powders mixed up.

[Watcher]

Be alert to the fact that different levels of crimp can have a significant effect on pressure.

[MartinS]

Thank you all fellas!!

Comes down to good old common sense!! Check and check again and don't force nothing.

So no loading when feeling tired with a JD in one hand and a smoke in the other!! Did make me laugh but I could imagine someone doing that!!

I think I'll try and buy the best press and scales I can afford at some point and other stuff can be a tad cheaper to get me started.

[20series]

Thank you all fellas!!

Comes down to good old common sense!! Check and check again and don't force nothing.

So no loading when feeling tired with a JD in one hand and a smoke in the other!! Did make me laugh but I could imagine someone doing that!!

I think I'll try and buy the best press and scales I can afford at some point and other stuff can be a tad cheaper to get me started.

LOL you've summed it up nicely clapclap

Alan

[EagerNoSkill]

Thank you all fellas!!
Comes down to good old common sense!! Check and check again and don't force nothing.
So no loading when feeling tired with a JD in one hand and a smoke in the other!! Did make me laugh but I could imagine someone doing that!!
I think I'll try and buy the best press and scales I can afford at some point and other stuff can be a tad cheaper to get me started.

"tired with a JD in one hand and a smoke in the other!! Did make me laugh but I could imagine someone doing that"

I witnessed one IPSC bloke just doing that - p*** + Another Beer + Faq!

got out there quickly and did not stand next to him on range if I could avoid it (hard as RO though)