First ten loaded- other newbies learn from my mistakes

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Jdeere1

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Well, loaded 10 cartridges for my new 300 wsm. 150 g with 51 grains H4895

I started priming on my rcbs hand primer. When I tried to insert the shell holder into the large primer holder all the parts fell out. I got it back together but it kept jamming and needed huge force to set primers. Then I noticed all the primers I set were dented. So, over to the garbage can to retrieve instructions. 'Do not let the handle open or the parts fall out and make sure the round end of the rod is down'-two things I had done wrong.

Next thing to note is the shell holder doesn't really hold the shell when using the hand primer, it steadies it. When you tip the primer pan to let a primer into the loading chute, the shell falls on the floor.

So, I then set up the full length die to remove the damaged primers. Note to other Newbies, this is called decapping. No reference to primer remover or remover rod.

Next thing is when measuring out powder I got it spilled all over the bench because it bounces out of the little pan that goes with the scale. You need to measure slowly or use a deeper container.

Seating is when I discovered two large hands do not fit under an O style press so you have to sorta huncharound the thing to steady the bullet and raise the handle at the same time. Seating did go well, after pushing the first bullet level with the case mouth. Adjust a bit at a time, it doesn't take long.

I took them out to the range and they all went bang.

Great fun
 
Wo up there big fella, reloading is not like putting a barbecue together you will need the instructions,I mean it's not rocket science,Well it kinda is like rocket science only simpler if you get my drift. Anyway start by reading then read some more,Then be damn careful.You don't want to be forever known as lefty.
 
Kudos for admitting that things went less than perfectly. We all started at ground zero, but few share their mistakes.
 
Jdeere1 said:
<<snip>>
Next thing is when measuring out powder I got it spilled all over the bench because it bounces out of the little pan that goes with the scale. You need to measure
slowly or use a deeper container.

<<snip>>

Great fun
Click to expand...

One thing to try would be to use the powder measure to drop the powder charge into a primed case, and take that over to your scale pan.... Weigh your charge, adjust (upwards) with a trickler if needed, and use a powder funnel to get all the flammable bits back into the case. Doing that, i haven't dumped one yet...

Stan
 
I hold my pan up very close to the powder measure now that I have one. Befor I had a measure I would use a glass cereal bowl and a spoon to get close, then trickle it into the scale with a .270 win case that I ran through a 22-250 die. Makes for a pretty nice trickler.

I know it's been said before, but read the instructions on everything. Also most manuals have some very good tips and advice in them too.

One thing I've always found very handy us an inertia bullet puller. If you seat one too deep you can tap I out a bit and restart the die, or if you know you made a mistake you can redo them al with out wasting the powder brass or bullets.

Sound like a good first time all in all. Learned some stuff and kept your fingers. Enjoy the addiction!
 
I bet you had fun learning to drive!
Reloading isn't like texting. You need to think about what you're doing and check everything twice or eventully you're going to make a mistake with serious consequences.
 
I use the primed brass to fill up from the powder measure, pour it into the little brass tray at the scale and have a little trickler to finetune the load.

The powder measure mouth is about the size of a case, so I figured that's the way it was designed to work...never thought to put the scale pan there!

I did buy the nifty Lyman scale pan with integrated funnel to try with my scale and sometimes do use it. It's quite convenient and one less thing to hold when filling the case.
 
As previous posters have said, because it cannot be stated enough times, read the instructions. All bullet manufacturers reload books have chapters on reloading. I have found one of the most simplest to read and understand is Hornady's handbook. Also Lee is quite in depth with regards to loading. I've been loading for about 3 yrs now and although I have a great mentor who started me there were still 1000 questions. He lives 4 hrs away so lots of long distance phone calls. Yet with all that I still found a few things out the hard way. One of the first things I bought after my press was the RCBS bullet puller and all the collets I would need. I figured sooner or later I would need it. Boy that was one of the smartest purchases I made yet. Like other fellows have added as well with regards to throwing your powder charges, just hold your pan tight to the bottom so it blocks it, throw your powder, then gently lower your pan and all the powder will smoothly flow into the pan.
Another item you should invest in, because sooner or later for whatever reason it will happen, buy a stuck case remover set. It will cost anywhere from $20 - $40 but again will save your butt big time "when" you need it. I have used my Redding a few times now. Some from bad luck and some from stupidity.
Hope that helps even though some info is repetitive. When in doubt ask questions. There are no dumb questions in reloading. Feel free to pm me anytime and I will help out if I can. Cheers, Paul
 
Everyone makes mistakes. On the weekend I must have been half asleep or something because when I went to seat some projectiles in some 30-06 cases, I squished the first case like a mushroom. The moron in me before having my coffee had turned the seating die in half a turn after touching the shell holder at full extension instead of out as I was using a factory crimp die after. And the case neck was bottoming out as I attempted to seat the bullet mushrooming the case below the neck.

Either way, lesson learned. Drink my coffee before reloading in the morning. ;)
 
What is really fun is when you miss a charge and just the primer goes bang. Been reloading for 3 years and just happened to me the other day.

It really makes you focus...
 
Oh well seeing as how its confession time.......

No more loud music while at the bench. I had two pops instead of bangs today, Missed putting the charge in..First and last time that happens.
And when you tip a whole tray of primers on the floor, just know that some of them will end up in the woodstove scaring the crap out of the cat and the wife. This is one of those times when its best NOT to laugh
 
Whopperman said:
What is really fun is when you miss a charge and just the primer goes bang. Been reloading for 3 years and just happened to me the other day.

It really makes you focus...
Click to expand...


The best way to avoid this is to create a procedure, define it, then follow that procedure everytime until it is ingrained as discipline.

For myself I do everything one at a time with a hand press so I allow myself to decap, flare etc. without much discipline. I keep track of this work but I don't double check things.

Charging cases is the critical part of the process., so I have created a procedure for it.

When it comes time to charge cases I do 50 pistol or 20 rifle at a time and fill them in the loading block. After they are all filled I double check each case for a proper load twice using a flashlight and scan them in a different pattern each time while saying 'ok' as I verify each case. If for some reason I have to leave the bench before this is complete I will start at the beginning and verify again when I return. After verifying the loads I seat the bullets immediately without leaving the bench. In this manner I am always certain that my reloads are safe and I have no problem letting friends and family shoot my reloads as I know all have been properly processed.

Now that I have been reloading for awhile this procedure is second nature and it has increased the confidence that I have in my work.
 
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As someone new to reloading I have had my fair share of oops but after about a thousand rounds or so I think I have it pretty much figured out. I use a Dillon 550. As a cowboy action guy I load light so the safety side isn't as critical but I check and double check. If I have even the slightest doubt about a double powder load I pull it and check. Likewise if the primer install doesn't feel right I stop and check. Only had one double load to date that I know of. I have used the large primer magazine with small primers, caused a lot of frustration with flipped primers. Took me a while top figure that one out. When you first start out there is no point of reference so you don't know if something is normal or a real problem. I take my time and certainly don't get anything like the production rate the book talks about (about half) but I would rather have the bullets work properly. I have now used about 300 of my reloads and every cartridge has fired and hit what it was supposed to so overall I am pretty happy. I would say the most important thing is to read the reloading book and instruction manual and take your time. I have certainly misunderstood the instructions on occasion and as an engineer I am used to these sorts of instructions.

Happy reloading.
 
there are alot of great videos on youtube as well, as far as the powder bouncing out of the pan I had the same experience until I figgured out if I hold the pan tight to the spout , work the handle to release the powder then slowly lower the pan , there was no more problem
 
I've been reloading for 40+ years and have never made a mistake. If you believe that I have a nice bridge i'd like to sell you.:D Read instructions, it realy is nice to have an experienced reloader to stand behind you and share some knowledge. Happy reloading.
 
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