In Lyman's 49th and in the ABC's of reloading danger is often mentioned. How dangerous is reloading if one follows directions? Is it possible for exaple for a case to fail and the gun to explode or to throwback fless, blinding, searing gas?
Newbie question
- Thread starter mackillan
- Start date
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Not dangerous at all if you follow directions. Anything can and will happen if you dont'.
That being said modern rifle actions are pretty good at venting gases in the event of a case failure.
That being said modern rifle actions are pretty good at venting gases in the event of a case failure.
In my short time handloading, I found the one most potentially hazardous area to be case management, partly because it's not thoroughly explained in manuals. Knowing what to look for, how to identify a weakened case, keeping tabs on how many times each has been loaded, are all important things that I learnt as I went along.
But yeah, as others said, with sufficient attention to detail and common sense, handloading is perfectly safe. And FUN!
But yeah, as others said, with sufficient attention to detail and common sense, handloading is perfectly safe. And FUN!
Over the years I have reloaded many thousands of rounds, both pistol & rifle.
I have never had a problem.
However, I have followed the safety rules as explained in any good reloading manual, examined cases on a regular basis & have NEVER guessed at a load or tried to experiment. I have seen the results of people who have ( blown up guns ).
Is reloading safe ? . Yes. Can a mechanical part break ? . Yes but even if it does there should be no damage.
I have never had a problem.
However, I have followed the safety rules as explained in any good reloading manual, examined cases on a regular basis & have NEVER guessed at a load or tried to experiment. I have seen the results of people who have ( blown up guns ).
Is reloading safe ? . Yes. Can a mechanical part break ? . Yes but even if it does there should be no damage.
I think the biggest danger is seating a bullet into a primed case that you did not dump powder into. Once you are ready to seat bullets DOUBLE CHECK with good light to ensure powder in each case.
Worst case scenario is you shoot and the primer only pushed the bullet an inch or so into the barrel and then you chamber and shoot the next round- and your barrel and action explode, rare but lots of documented cases.
Just follow the manual and work up from minimum and there is no danger.
Worst case scenario is you shoot and the primer only pushed the bullet an inch or so into the barrel and then you chamber and shoot the next round- and your barrel and action explode, rare but lots of documented cases.
Just follow the manual and work up from minimum and there is no danger.
you can always check that scenario by WEIGHING THE ROUND- you know your case weighs x amount( grains) your bullet weighs x grains and your primer typically about 3 grains- you establish a low and a high weight, and anything that falls outside of the range, you pull apart and re-do- and re- check- that way you find your no powder as well as your DOUBLE charge- and it happens- even if you do have a squib( no powder) round, you'll hear the difference, and your ia ( immediate action) should commence- lock the slide to the rear, drop the mag , and clear the barrel- same deal with revolvers- open the cylinder, clear the barrel- lots of us carry a piece of dowel and a hammer , or a steel rod, or cleaning rod for just that purpose
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Some areas where you can run into real trouble:
Using a fast powder when a slow one is speced.
Double charging a HG case - most rifle loads are too full to double charge.
Not putting enough neck tension in your case so a bullet sets back into the case before firing.
Super sizing your loads - exceeding SAAMI max - cause they are doing it in competition rifles.
Make sure your scale is accurate.
Keep only one powder on your bench at any time. Make sure it is clearly labled - bright colours if possible - so you don't use the wrong one.
Follow the load manuals and the limits for amounts of powder vs components.
Don't have distractions when loading.
Don't smoke when reloading.
All common sense stuff that if followed makes reloading very very safe.
Far safer then driving a car....
Jerry
Using a fast powder when a slow one is speced.
Double charging a HG case - most rifle loads are too full to double charge.
Not putting enough neck tension in your case so a bullet sets back into the case before firing.
Super sizing your loads - exceeding SAAMI max - cause they are doing it in competition rifles.
Make sure your scale is accurate.
Keep only one powder on your bench at any time. Make sure it is clearly labled - bright colours if possible - so you don't use the wrong one.
Follow the load manuals and the limits for amounts of powder vs components.
Don't have distractions when loading.
Don't smoke when reloading.
All common sense stuff that if followed makes reloading very very safe.
Far safer then driving a car....
Jerry
