Reloading: what NOT to do
- Thread starter logan1080
- Start date
dont reload in batches of 1000 reload batches of 100 or 200 try different loadz everytime until you know what you rifle likes
dont assume the powder charge
dont overwork your self reloading as i said do it in batches
dont mix any powder
dont let oil to get on your primer or powder
dont dont dont
dont assume the powder charge
dont overwork your self reloading as i said do it in batches
dont mix any powder
dont let oil to get on your primer or powder
dont dont dont
604shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Neither here nor there.
Do check your cases to ensure they're charged before seating your bullets.
In no particular order, avoid;
1) spending money on crappy tooling. Read, ask, handle if possible, then buy what you really need up front.
2) re-inventing the wheel. There are reasons why we do many of the things we do. If you find yourself experimenting with a combination of components that have been around for years in a way never written about before, odds are there's a reason.
3) pushing the limits. If you find yourself trying to push a cartridge beyond the norms or below the minimums, stop and think. Is there maybe a better gun/ammo combination for the task?
4) buy too much or too little. Don't fill your basement with unknown components before trying smaller quantities. Don't pass up the opportunity to load up on bargins when it's a proven performer for you.
5) live in isolation. Network with those close to you who also reload. Share techniques, lessons, and buy as a group if it's appropriate.
1) spending money on crappy tooling. Read, ask, handle if possible, then buy what you really need up front.
2) re-inventing the wheel. There are reasons why we do many of the things we do. If you find yourself experimenting with a combination of components that have been around for years in a way never written about before, odds are there's a reason.
3) pushing the limits. If you find yourself trying to push a cartridge beyond the norms or below the minimums, stop and think. Is there maybe a better gun/ammo combination for the task?
4) buy too much or too little. Don't fill your basement with unknown components before trying smaller quantities. Don't pass up the opportunity to load up on bargins when it's a proven performer for you.
5) live in isolation. Network with those close to you who also reload. Share techniques, lessons, and buy as a group if it's appropriate.
I have a small flashlight on the bench for this purpose
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
One bottle of powder out at a time. If in doubt, pour it on the lawn or burn it.
If using a turret press, keep going until your cartridge is complete, ignore girlfriend/wife until bullet is seated.
If girlfriend/wife happens to walk into man cave and start yapping often, google some kaboom pictures. Tell her this is what happens with mistakes while reloading.
Keep records and a count of your ammo.
If in doubt of your loads, put them in a pile of rejects and take them apart at a later time.
Always confirm the setting on your scale before loading.
If using a turret press, keep going until your cartridge is complete, ignore girlfriend/wife until bullet is seated.
If girlfriend/wife happens to walk into man cave and start yapping often, google some kaboom pictures. Tell her this is what happens with mistakes while reloading.
Keep records and a count of your ammo.
If in doubt of your loads, put them in a pile of rejects and take them apart at a later time.
Always confirm the setting on your scale before loading.
All good advice.
For myself, the key words are 'systematic' and 'safety' and the two are tied together.
Pay attention to what you are doing, take a break from time to time.
Check, recheck and rerecheck. Correct loads, correct components, how much powder the powder measure is throwing (reweigh every 10 or so), etc etc. That sort of OC behaviour has saved me from a really embarrassing mistake.
I leave the powder bottle on the table - it's also saved my butt on at least one occasion.
Some people say to work through one round at a time. I prefer to charge 20 or 25 primed cases all at once. That way I can do a visual check for the powder level in each one - if one is uncharged or double-charged, it will stand out. (Why just that many? Easy - I'm clumsy and would rather spill and clean up 20 or 25 rather than 100.
Booze and bullets don't mix on the reloading bench any better than they do on the firing point.
Bottom line is that reloading is like flying - when you start to feel complacent is when you are in the most danger. Those who wave off such basic precautions are people I really don't even want to be on the same range with.
For myself, the key words are 'systematic' and 'safety' and the two are tied together.
Pay attention to what you are doing, take a break from time to time.
Check, recheck and rerecheck. Correct loads, correct components, how much powder the powder measure is throwing (reweigh every 10 or so), etc etc. That sort of OC behaviour has saved me from a really embarrassing mistake.
I leave the powder bottle on the table - it's also saved my butt on at least one occasion.
Some people say to work through one round at a time. I prefer to charge 20 or 25 primed cases all at once. That way I can do a visual check for the powder level in each one - if one is uncharged or double-charged, it will stand out. (Why just that many? Easy - I'm clumsy and would rather spill and clean up 20 or 25 rather than 100.
Booze and bullets don't mix on the reloading bench any better than they do on the firing point.
Bottom line is that reloading is like flying - when you start to feel complacent is when you are in the most danger. Those who wave off such basic precautions are people I really don't even want to be on the same range with.
Try to avoid using powders that will easily allow double charges.
If using a single stage press, use your reloading blocks orderly, keep everything consistent with how you use the blocks, using 2 blocks preferably.
Document all your loads for every gun in a book, with side notes on such things as vel., acc.,etc.
If using a single stage press, use your reloading blocks orderly, keep everything consistent with how you use the blocks, using 2 blocks preferably.
Document all your loads for every gun in a book, with side notes on such things as vel., acc.,etc.
Never trust your powder dispenser. Fill one brass, make a good mental image of the fill level, empty powder onto scale & weigh it to confirm.
Visually inspect every casing as you fill them. Verify your powder dispenser is accurate by testing every 10'th casing.
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ALWAYS count out the brass you want to load and have only them on the table.
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With a single stage press - ALWAYS ensure the primer seating tool is removed before startign to seat bullets into your primed & powdered cases.
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Always store primed brass upside down in your tray when ready to start filling with powder to verify they all have new primers.
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IF you have any doubt about something, no matter how small that doubt might be ... STOP. Take the bullet apart and start again from the very beginning.
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Don't ignore the books. Min & Max measurements are there for a very good reason.
Also, Don't rely on only one book. Get at least 3 or 4 books ($100 in books is the same as $100 for a quality helmet/life jacket/safety boots - you need it so just get it - don't skimp out) for reloading information. When researching a load, check all of the books and compare their values (Typo's can happen even after proof reading). Until you become an "expert" for your gun and it's characteristics ... use the largest Minimum powder charge, and the smallest Maximum charge from all the books combined as your limits.
----------------
Best advice ... Ask Stupid Questions. Seriously. Answering a "stupid" question is far preferable for me than reading a news report of an accident.
Visually inspect every casing as you fill them. Verify your powder dispenser is accurate by testing every 10'th casing.
---------
ALWAYS count out the brass you want to load and have only them on the table.
--------------
With a single stage press - ALWAYS ensure the primer seating tool is removed before startign to seat bullets into your primed & powdered cases.
---------------
Always store primed brass upside down in your tray when ready to start filling with powder to verify they all have new primers.
-----------
IF you have any doubt about something, no matter how small that doubt might be ... STOP. Take the bullet apart and start again from the very beginning.
-----------------
Don't ignore the books. Min & Max measurements are there for a very good reason.
Also, Don't rely on only one book. Get at least 3 or 4 books ($100 in books is the same as $100 for a quality helmet/life jacket/safety boots - you need it so just get it - don't skimp out) for reloading information. When researching a load, check all of the books and compare their values (Typo's can happen even after proof reading). Until you become an "expert" for your gun and it's characteristics ... use the largest Minimum powder charge, and the smallest Maximum charge from all the books combined as your limits.
----------------
Best advice ... Ask Stupid Questions. Seriously. Answering a "stupid" question is far preferable for me than reading a news report of an accident.
Don't leave powder in the powder thrower. This dries it out and changes the speed. It also leads to the accident of assuming it is Powder A, and dumping it back into the Powder A can, when it is actually Powder B.
I have seen three rifles destroyed by this error. The references to only one can on the bench is so that the powder gets returned to the correct can.
If you wind up loading for both pistol and rifles, be aware that pistol powder is very fast and will blow up rifles. The most dangerous combination is owning both rifle and pistol powder of the "ball" type. The two powders look almost identical. The solution is to make a mental note to either avoid ball powers, or only use them for rifle or for pistol, but not both.
Another error is thinking you can start withthe Max load. Start with the Start load and work up in 0.5 gr increments. Each rifle is differnt. I saw a case where the Start load was much too hot for a rifle (M96 6.5x55).
When testing for a better load, work with one variable at a time. Load a range of powder charges, using same prmer, brass, bullet and OAL. Once you have a good load, try seating the bullet 10 thou longer and 10 thou deeper.
Keep a log book. I use 3 ring binders, with a page for each gun (not for each caliber).
I have seen three rifles destroyed by this error. The references to only one can on the bench is so that the powder gets returned to the correct can.
If you wind up loading for both pistol and rifles, be aware that pistol powder is very fast and will blow up rifles. The most dangerous combination is owning both rifle and pistol powder of the "ball" type. The two powders look almost identical. The solution is to make a mental note to either avoid ball powers, or only use them for rifle or for pistol, but not both.
Another error is thinking you can start withthe Max load. Start with the Start load and work up in 0.5 gr increments. Each rifle is differnt. I saw a case where the Start load was much too hot for a rifle (M96 6.5x55).
When testing for a better load, work with one variable at a time. Load a range of powder charges, using same prmer, brass, bullet and OAL. Once you have a good load, try seating the bullet 10 thou longer and 10 thou deeper.
Keep a log book. I use 3 ring binders, with a page for each gun (not for each caliber).
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Label and record as much info as possible.
My storage cases get two lines of masking tape along the row of where the loaded bullets will go , charge weight, OAL, etc..............Out of the press into the box.
After firing they go back in the same spot for comparison afterwards.
May be over kill but helps me keep thing sorted when doing load development with varying factors.
My storage cases get two lines of masking tape along the row of where the loaded bullets will go , charge weight, OAL, etc..............Out of the press into the box.
After firing they go back in the same spot for comparison afterwards.
May be over kill but helps me keep thing sorted when doing load development with varying factors.
303EppsFan
CGN Regular
- Location
- Almonte,Ontario
Don't forget the lube on the cases unless you're using a carbide die.
A little goes a long way but too little will stick a case in the die. If you have too little you will quickly feel the extra resistance on the press.
A little goes a long way but too little will stick a case in the die. If you have too little you will quickly feel the extra resistance on the press.
257Roberts
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Peterborough ON
All good information listed already, from check and double check to your safety glasses.
I would like to add, research everything from tools to components and loads. But most of all take your time and record everything. I have a binder for each caliber and multiple binders if I have two rifles in the same caliber.
Then when you start, follow the steps from one of the manuals.
Welcome to the never ending process of reloading, hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
257Roberts
I would like to add, research everything from tools to components and loads. But most of all take your time and record everything. I have a binder for each caliber and multiple binders if I have two rifles in the same caliber.
Then when you start, follow the steps from one of the manuals.
Welcome to the never ending process of reloading, hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
257Roberts
Be patient, meticulous, deliberate, focused and unwavering in your commitment to safety.
Your three allies are the scale, the calipers and the manual. Use them often but don't be afraid to recalibrate the first two once in a while and check the manual against other sources.
Your three enemies are distraction, sloppiness and the word "might." Beware of them always.
Do not force anything.
If in doubt throw it out. Have a bullet puller and don't be afraid to use it.
Your three allies are the scale, the calipers and the manual. Use them often but don't be afraid to recalibrate the first two once in a while and check the manual against other sources.
Your three enemies are distraction, sloppiness and the word "might." Beware of them always.
Do not force anything.
If in doubt throw it out. Have a bullet puller and don't be afraid to use it.
I agree completely with the rest of your post but don't get this one. Why should the seating tool be removed?
