NEVER get too comfortable

[Cerdan]

Just thought I'd share my first reloading close call...

I thought I'd whip up a batch of 10mm using 135gr. bullets and Titegroup.

Did all my research as usual, figured out my base powder charge, and started loading... with Bullseye. I'd previously loaded some .45ACP with Bullseye, and for some reason, got both powders mixed up.

About ten rounds in I do a bit of a double-take. I check my notes again and take a look at the powder that's on my bench... Double-check the manuals to make sure I wasn't reading the data for Bullseye and thinking Titegroup. It was quite an unpleasant realization.

Turns out the starting load with Titegroup I was using is a near-max load with Bullseye, so I don't think I would've blown my gun up if I hadn't noticed my mistake. But somehow that doesn't make me feel any better. I do abide by the "one powder on the bench at any given time" rule, but this mistake still almost slipped by unnoticed.

I hate these kinds of thing 'cause it sorta casts a shadow of doubt on all my past loads. I've got a few thousand handloaded rounds waiting to be shot, and though I'm reasonably sure they're safe (I'm normally an über-safe handloader, I double- and triple-check everything), it's still a tad unsettling.

I just hope to remember this near-incident in the future.

 

[cbabes]

Just thought I'd share my first reloading close call...

I thought I'd whip up a batch of 10mm using 135gr. bullets and Titegroup.

Did all my research as usual, figured out my base powder charge, and started loading... with Bullseye. I'd previously loaded some .45ACP with Bullseye, and for some reason, got both powders mixed up.

About ten rounds in I do a bit of a double-take. I check my notes again and take a look at the powder that's on my bench... Double-check the manuals to make sure I wasn't reading the data for Bullseye and thinking Titegroup. It was quite an unpleasant realization.

Turns out the starting load with Titegroup I was using is a near-max load with Bullseye, so I don't think I would've blown my gun up if I hadn't noticed my mistake. But somehow that doesn't make me feel any better. I do abide by the "one powder on the bench at any given time" rule, but this mistake still almost slipped by unnoticed.

I hate these kinds of thing 'cause it sorta casts a shadow of doubt on all my past loads. I've got a few thousand handloaded rounds waiting to be shot, and though I'm reasonably sure they're safe (I'm normally an über-safe handloader, I double- and triple-check everything), it's still a tad unsettling.

I just hope to remember this near-incident in the future.

From what I have been told by many reloaders (I am about to buy my first one and haven't reloaded yet) you will never screw up again. One scare is all it takes. Now let's just hope the reloads you have already are ok!

 

[Silverback]

It is good that you are sharing your close call with us as a reminder to all reloaders to stay focused while reloading. Whenever I have the slightest bit of doubt while reloading I will check things until I am sure they are right. Another good tip is to only have the powder that you are currently using on your reloading bench, I have heard too many stories of wrong powders being accidently used or left over powder being dumped into the wrong bottle when emptying powder measures due to multiple bottles being readily accessible on the bench.

 

[curtmg]

One Can of powder out at a time is the best rule. Following that rule is the only way you caught that mistake (if 2 cans were out, you'd have never known), and after only 10 rounds. Given the speed with which you caught the mistake, I'd say that it shouldn't cast any additional doubts on anything previously loaded. Thanks for sharing, always good to see safe practices preventing dangerous mistakes.