Reloading for a friend
- Thread starter tomL
- Start date
Where is the liability if you know what you are doing? I develop the load and do accuracy and velocity testing with my buddy's rifle so I know the ammo works and is safe.
The correct answer to that complaint is, "If you don't like the FREE ammo I GAVE you then don't use it."
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
If they give you once fired cases you have zero concerns regarding some responsibility for anything. Don't overthink this. Just involve them in the process and have fun. Cheers
Do you enjoy reloading? Are you willing to help a friend? Just involve them in the process. No Harm. No Foul. No Liability. Don't overthink it. Your just a cool good friend. Cheers
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I got my W308 f-class project rifle second hand last summer, through a middle man - a new friend who promised me he will do reloads for me based on he's old "known working" recipes.
The accuracy and precision on POI results some people would be more than happy with, but my expectation for a f-class rifle was much higher.
I decided to get my own tools and equipment for a four $ digit cost, and there was my learning curve started with the prepping and breaking up the processes.
I am very anal with things I am doing, but,
at the end of the line I cut my groups 300 almost by half, that is a happy face right there... maybe a bit of placebo as well justifying the costs
.
Also building now my induction annealer.
I have now about 200 brass to preprocess and load, hard to find a time for it over summer time, I like outdoor activities and charging my batteries on a sunlight as much I can.
Would I now with this my knowledge do a reload for a friend?
No way.
I would invite him to watch me doing it as many times he want, just to give him an insight of a clock.
The accuracy and precision on POI results some people would be more than happy with, but my expectation for a f-class rifle was much higher.
I decided to get my own tools and equipment for a four $ digit cost, and there was my learning curve started with the prepping and breaking up the processes.
I am very anal with things I am doing, but,
at the end of the line I cut my groups 300 almost by half, that is a happy face right there... maybe a bit of placebo as well justifying the costs
.Also building now my induction annealer.
I have now about 200 brass to preprocess and load, hard to find a time for it over summer time, I like outdoor activities and charging my batteries on a sunlight as much I can.
Would I now with this my knowledge do a reload for a friend?
No way.
I would invite him to watch me doing it as many times he want, just to give him an insight of a clock.
If i understand you correctly, you're not quite at the point of actually reloading anything yet. So yeah, I agree it's probably a bit early to be thinking of loading for someone elseI got my W308 f-class project rifle second hand last summer, through a middle man - a new friend who promised me he will do reloads for me based on he's old "known working" recipes.
The accuracy and precision on POI results some people would be more than happy with, but my expectation for a f-class rifle was much higher.
I decided to get my own tools and equipment for a four $ digit cost, and there was my learning curve started with the prepping and breaking up the processes.
I am very anal with things I am doing, but,
at the end of the line I cut my groups 300 almost by half, that is a happy face right there... maybe a bit of placebo as well justifying the costs
Also building now my induction annealer.
I have now about 200 brass to preprocess and load, hard to find a time for it over summer time, I like outdoor activities and charging my batteries on a sunlight as much I can.
Would I now with this my knowledge do a reload for a friend?
No way.
I would invite him to watch me doing it as many times he want, just to give him an insight of a clock.
I will help a buddy in some cases. I'm particular about my friends so they've been pre-vetted long before the reloading question ever comes up. I'm not worried about liabilities.
If ammo is available commercially they can buy it themselves. I will assist with unavailable or hard to find ammo, like 8mm French, and 455 webley. And I'll help someone get started in reloading by assisting and mentoring and let them use my gear to start with.
A lot of you guys will never be in this position, because I'm quite sure some of you don't have any friends.
If ammo is available commercially they can buy it themselves. I will assist with unavailable or hard to find ammo, like 8mm French, and 455 webley. And I'll help someone get started in reloading by assisting and mentoring and let them use my gear to start with.
A lot of you guys will never be in this position, because I'm quite sure some of you don't have any friends.
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- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
I've done it for a friend, they were gifted their fathers rifle 7x61S&H you don't just buy that ammo off the shelf
they paid for all the components I did the loading and testing, and they got 200rounds, and I got some beer money.
they paid for all the components I did the loading and testing, and they got 200rounds, and I got some beer money.
I have. Always prefer that they leave me the gun to work with. - dan
I'm not worried about liability.
I will show them how to reload with their supplies and let them use my equipment to learn. If they decide it is good for them they can buy their own equipment. If you are not willing to learn then I won't be reloading for you.
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
Sorry I was responding to the OP and his concern about liability. Cheers
I have three different friends I help out. With all three I will deprime, wash, and resize the brass in my own time. I usually tell them to drop off brass in the fall and I promise to have it done by April. Reloading is how I get through the minus 30 days of winter. All three of those friends bought their own components and dies then just come by in the Spring or Fall and I sit with them as they do all the actual loading. Each of these guys shoot less than 20 rounds a year, so it's not worth it to them to invest in a whole reloading setup and I have no problem them using my bench on my schedule
This would seem to be a pre-requisite
When they drop off the brass I get them to resize a few pieces and record it. Liability is not an issue then.
I stopped when brass hit $100 a bag and powder hit $100 a lb. Most of them are set for life for hunting ammo though.
Involve them now and they will buy and reload their own.
I stopped when brass hit $100 a bag and powder hit $100 a lb. Most of them are set for life for hunting ammo though.
Involve them now and they will buy and reload their own.
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
The transaction or exchange of the brass previously fired from the firearm they intend to use the new rounds in indicates a distinct knowledge and admission of acceptance of the dangers. ZERO LIABILITY. Having them engaged in the process further indicates a responsibility on their part. Cheers
Here's what it boils down to, IT DEPENDS ON THE FRIEND.
Some friends not so much, others, maybe, yes for some.
Just about everyone replying to the OP has very good and valid reasons for what they do, so no diss intended for any of them.
We all have different circumstances.
I help a some people on a personal, selective basis, with their firearms, such as small repairs, scope mounting, even swapping out barrels. Usually they're folks that can't afford to take it to a smith, close friends, or youngsters starting out.
At today's ammunition prices, many folks can't afford to purchase several different brands/weights of bullets etc, to find one that will shoot well in their firearm. I will help them by sending them to one of the local businesses which sells components and to get them into a reality check mode.
This separates the serious hunters/shooters from the "it's all a garage sale price" types.
Then, if they come back, find out what they expect or are willing to live with for a load, and of course what animals they will be hunting.
After that, it's time to look at the firearm they will be shooting, to determine if it's worth the effort.
Nine out of ten people who approach me to reload for them are "garage sale price" types and are expecting to get "cheap ammo" that shoots well. I usually refuse that type of individual. Some of them will even try to sell off that ammo later, because they soon lost all interest and don't shoot or hunt, because they can't afford the gas/license/tags.
Those I do reload for are usually older folks, who have downsized and moved to much smaller homes/apartments and no longer have room or the equipment to reload. They usually saved the dies/components they had. Most are willing to come over and use my presses, but I'm not a fan of that either, for the most part. I just tell them to drop off their dies and components and will prep the brass, and load it for them. Much easier and less time consuming.
When youngsters come over to "learn the processes of reloading" I don't expect them to bring anything other than their firearms and brass cases if they have any. I intentionally make the first lesson slightly tedious. Make them go through the manuals, get them to look up safe pressures with the components available, etc.
If they aren't willing to do the due diligence, I let them know this isn't for them. Most fully understand it and are quite relieved after they realize the cost and what goes into proper preparation of cases, equipment, etc. Mostly they were curious.
Once we've worked out the basics, I will help them to a point. Then they have to start accumulating their own stuff.
Usually I tell "friends" If you want reloads, don't expect to save money right away, especially with premium type bullets or specialty bullets.
The times of cheap anything when it comes to reloading components are over, unless you come across a one off deal or special sale.
Explaining to someone why I don't want to use my dies to load ammunition for them can be a daunting task, when they don't know anything about why their rifle will only shoot 2-3 inch groups and points of impact change with a new box of ammo, even of the same brand.
If they get the concept, then I send them to purchase their own set of dies, shell head holder, components, etc and tell them to come back when they're ready. This weeds out the "user types" pretty quickly.
Many young folks just don't have the resources on hand to get into reloading.
A space to do it is the first big hurdle, as is lack of knowledge. Then, cost of a new press, scales, and other tooling all add up very quickly.
So, if they're willing to "start out" on their own dime, I'm willing to help out. Not with just anyone though. I have to know the person well enough, or it isn't going to happen.
Some friends not so much, others, maybe, yes for some.
Just about everyone replying to the OP has very good and valid reasons for what they do, so no diss intended for any of them.
We all have different circumstances.
I help a some people on a personal, selective basis, with their firearms, such as small repairs, scope mounting, even swapping out barrels. Usually they're folks that can't afford to take it to a smith, close friends, or youngsters starting out.
At today's ammunition prices, many folks can't afford to purchase several different brands/weights of bullets etc, to find one that will shoot well in their firearm. I will help them by sending them to one of the local businesses which sells components and to get them into a reality check mode.
This separates the serious hunters/shooters from the "it's all a garage sale price" types.
Then, if they come back, find out what they expect or are willing to live with for a load, and of course what animals they will be hunting.
After that, it's time to look at the firearm they will be shooting, to determine if it's worth the effort.
Nine out of ten people who approach me to reload for them are "garage sale price" types and are expecting to get "cheap ammo" that shoots well. I usually refuse that type of individual. Some of them will even try to sell off that ammo later, because they soon lost all interest and don't shoot or hunt, because they can't afford the gas/license/tags.
Those I do reload for are usually older folks, who have downsized and moved to much smaller homes/apartments and no longer have room or the equipment to reload. They usually saved the dies/components they had. Most are willing to come over and use my presses, but I'm not a fan of that either, for the most part. I just tell them to drop off their dies and components and will prep the brass, and load it for them. Much easier and less time consuming.
When youngsters come over to "learn the processes of reloading" I don't expect them to bring anything other than their firearms and brass cases if they have any. I intentionally make the first lesson slightly tedious. Make them go through the manuals, get them to look up safe pressures with the components available, etc.
If they aren't willing to do the due diligence, I let them know this isn't for them. Most fully understand it and are quite relieved after they realize the cost and what goes into proper preparation of cases, equipment, etc. Mostly they were curious.
Once we've worked out the basics, I will help them to a point. Then they have to start accumulating their own stuff.
Usually I tell "friends" If you want reloads, don't expect to save money right away, especially with premium type bullets or specialty bullets.
The times of cheap anything when it comes to reloading components are over, unless you come across a one off deal or special sale.
Explaining to someone why I don't want to use my dies to load ammunition for them can be a daunting task, when they don't know anything about why their rifle will only shoot 2-3 inch groups and points of impact change with a new box of ammo, even of the same brand.
If they get the concept, then I send them to purchase their own set of dies, shell head holder, components, etc and tell them to come back when they're ready. This weeds out the "user types" pretty quickly.
Many young folks just don't have the resources on hand to get into reloading.
A space to do it is the first big hurdle, as is lack of knowledge. Then, cost of a new press, scales, and other tooling all add up very quickly.
So, if they're willing to "start out" on their own dime, I'm willing to help out. Not with just anyone though. I have to know the person well enough, or it isn't going to happen.
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saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- near Prince Albert
^^^ Nailed it on the "garage sale price" people for me lol
