To each their own to achieve satisfaction.
Safe Reloading Practices
- Thread starter kbm6893
- Start date
Black_Sheep
Member
I prefer to reload with a single stage press, using slightly different processes for pistol and rifle ammunition. For general purpose pistol rounds I use a Lee auto-disc powder measure and verify charge weight with an electronic scale at the start of each 100 round batch. When the reloading blocks are full I give them a few taps to "settle" the powder and using a penlight, visually check each round to make certain the powder levels are even. For rifle rounds I weigh each and every charge with an electronic scale.
I treat COAL the same way. I'll measure completed pistol round COAL until the length is consistent and repeatable then run through the batch. As part of my final inspection process, COAL of each rifle round is measured.
Other safe reloading practices I adhere to, in no particular order.
Maintain a clean, well lit work area.
One powder on the bench at a time
Wear safety glasses
Avoid distraction
Take appropriate precautions handling lead
I treat COAL the same way. I'll measure completed pistol round COAL until the length is consistent and repeatable then run through the batch. As part of my final inspection process, COAL of each rifle round is measured.
Other safe reloading practices I adhere to, in no particular order.
Maintain a clean, well lit work area.
One powder on the bench at a time
Wear safety glasses
Avoid distraction
Take appropriate precautions handling lead
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Road_Clam
Member
Good advice, and as as an extra precaution I like to mark the current powder being used on a piece of masking tape and stick it to the powder drop (or in my case my Chargemaster 1500). Here's why I learned to do this method: One time years ago I was loading W748 ball powder (* I think*) and finished the 1lb can and threw it in the trash (yup, a novice mistake). Went on vacation , came back and could not remember what powder was in the hopper. My son had also went to the dump and threw out my trash which had the empty powder bottle. Ended up throwing out the remaining powder in the hopper as I was not exactly sure what powder I was working. I load 9 different calibers, and 11 different powders AND I have 3 different powder throwers, so It can get a little confusing unless you have a solid labeling method regiment !
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AveragEd
Member
I follow a similar regimen. I have over 50 different powders on hand so I absolutely NEVER have more than one container of it on the bench at any time. I also have labels on the five tool heads for my Dillon 650 that identify the caliber of each as well as the powder charge for which each measure is set.
The more reloading "stuff" you accumulate and the older you get, the more you need helpful practices like those.
Finally, back when I used one powder measure for all my reloading, I positively HAD to empty it after every session for it is amazing how much alike some powders can look and perhaps weeks later, it can be hard to recall which one you left in the reservoir. Also, some powders will etch some plastics, so emptying those measures is a good idea for that reason too.
Ed
The more reloading "stuff" you accumulate and the older you get, the more you need helpful practices like those.
Finally, back when I used one powder measure for all my reloading, I positively HAD to empty it after every session for it is amazing how much alike some powders can look and perhaps weeks later, it can be hard to recall which one you left in the reservoir. Also, some powders will etch some plastics, so emptying those measures is a good idea for that reason too.
Ed
cbore
Member
Way I see it you are doing it all right. I once made the mistake on my balance scale with 5 gram and .5 on the fine adjustment when loading 41 mag. Well low charge and a stuck JP round.
Learned to double check with a test weight.
Learned to double check with a test weight.
gwpercle
Member
kbm6893,
I started reloading in 1967, benn at it a while, and I use nearly the same procedure you use. The only deviation is charging handgun cases. I use a Lyman 55 (check every 10th drop against scale) or I use a dipper. Scooped powder charges are accurate and you watch how much goes in the case, all are checked via flashlight of course.
You may get flak from those who believe only progressive presses are suitable , they will say you must have a Dillion XL 650 Super Progressive or you are wasting your time....But don't believe it.
Your way is just fine I been doing it for nearly 50 years....
So you just keep on keepin' on buddy and load safe !
Gary
I started reloading in 1967, benn at it a while, and I use nearly the same procedure you use. The only deviation is charging handgun cases. I use a Lyman 55 (check every 10th drop against scale) or I use a dipper. Scooped powder charges are accurate and you watch how much goes in the case, all are checked via flashlight of course.
You may get flak from those who believe only progressive presses are suitable , they will say you must have a Dillion XL 650 Super Progressive or you are wasting your time....But don't believe it.
Your way is just fine I been doing it for nearly 50 years....
So you just keep on keepin' on buddy and load safe !
Gary
gwpercle
Member
5 grain or 5 gram ? or typo ?
rasmith3442
Member
I've been reloading since the late '70's.
Looks like you are doing everything properly.
Can't be too anal when it comes to reloading, and I'm a P.E.
Lots of good info from other posters.
I generally use the slowest powder I can for a given application and try to fill, or slightly compress the powder. This makes a double charge virtually impossible.
Flashlight check is imperative.
I have a Dillon 650, and the reason I bought it was because of the powder check feature. I only use this for practice ammo.
As an interim, you might want to consider a Redding T-7. Not cheap but built like a tank. I have a head for each caliber.
I size, deprime, and bell in one operation. Charge the cases in a manner similar to yours, using an old Lyman 55, and then seat and crimp in another operation. Not terribly fast, but who cares. My ammo consistently out performs premium factory stuff.
BTW, stay safe on the job - most of us civilian CCW's have your six if requested.
S/F,
RAS (aka Walter)
Looks like you are doing everything properly.
Can't be too anal when it comes to reloading, and I'm a P.E.
Lots of good info from other posters.
I generally use the slowest powder I can for a given application and try to fill, or slightly compress the powder. This makes a double charge virtually impossible.
Flashlight check is imperative.
I have a Dillon 650, and the reason I bought it was because of the powder check feature. I only use this for practice ammo.
As an interim, you might want to consider a Redding T-7. Not cheap but built like a tank. I have a head for each caliber.
I size, deprime, and bell in one operation. Charge the cases in a manner similar to yours, using an old Lyman 55, and then seat and crimp in another operation. Not terribly fast, but who cares. My ammo consistently out performs premium factory stuff.
BTW, stay safe on the job - most of us civilian CCW's have your six if requested.
S/F,
RAS (aka Walter)
shotgun693
Member
Proof loads are way hotter than you can imagine. I can't explain some of the 'blowups' but I doubt they were from double charges. I think some 'blowups' are the frame finally letting go after numerous over loaded rounds.
I thought I'd add another item here........
No matter what procedures we use - we need to be diligent about seeing what we want to see. Somewhere in this thread or a couple of other possible threads someone relayed the story where, even though they use a flashlight to look in every case, they didn't see (it didn't register) that one was empty.
I think in all sorts of steps (grabbing powder, setting the scale, grabbing bullets, whatever) it is easy to think we're seeing what we're seeing when in reality we're not. It has happened to me setting my scale: I was SURE I set it correctly but I checked it a few minutes later and I hadn't. It could happen with the seat-bullet-immediately process as well: "Yeah - I see powder in there."
In aviation there is the concept of "Automatic Rough". (If I get this wrong, pilots, jump in.) From what I understand this happens when your senses are heightened - like flying at night or over water. Your concern for engine troubles go up - and you start imagining misfires when they're not really there. Things being looked for become registered as reality - when in fact they're not.
Just another thing to keep in mind - even when we're convinced we have processes that are "infallible".
OR
No matter what procedures we use - we need to be diligent about seeing what we want to see. Somewhere in this thread or a couple of other possible threads someone relayed the story where, even though they use a flashlight to look in every case, they didn't see (it didn't register) that one was empty.
I think in all sorts of steps (grabbing powder, setting the scale, grabbing bullets, whatever) it is easy to think we're seeing what we're seeing when in reality we're not. It has happened to me setting my scale: I was SURE I set it correctly but I checked it a few minutes later and I hadn't. It could happen with the seat-bullet-immediately process as well: "Yeah - I see powder in there."
In aviation there is the concept of "Automatic Rough". (If I get this wrong, pilots, jump in.) From what I understand this happens when your senses are heightened - like flying at night or over water. Your concern for engine troubles go up - and you start imagining misfires when they're not really there. Things being looked for become registered as reality - when in fact they're not.
Just another thing to keep in mind - even when we're convinced we have processes that are "infallible".
OR
There's worlds of info and research out there about quality processes and ensuring quality. I'd just say, in addition to having a routine that is safe, you should try to consider how bad things can go when you don't stick to it. People are not consistent. Picking a routine that reduces the risk from inattention or distraction is also a good idea.
You weigh every charge out, yet you leave up to 50 charged cases sitting around open just waiting for something wrong to happen to them. Why not seat a bullet on each case after weighing? This way the critical process, the powder charge, only has to be tracked for one round at any given time, not 50 rounds.
If the phone or doorbell rings, or the dog barges in, or whatever, you only have to finish one round and you can walk away. When you come back it is easy to pick up again, because there are only complete or empty cases.
Things like sizing, expanding, priming can be done 50 (or whatever) at a time, because they are not critical operations. You won't blow a gun up from a double primed case. And an non-primed one won't create a squib.
sarg1c
US Veteran
one thing some loaders fail to do is when changing powder in a dropper, always be sure all powder has been removed before changing especially when going from a pistol powder to a rifle powder...even if you are going to drop, then weigh.
AveragEd
Member
There are dozens of good safety precautions to follow. It boils down to the fact that we humans are creatures of habit so we should make those habits safe ones.
Ed
Ed
10mm_Shooter
Member
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many good procedures mentioned here, but as the last few posts have identified, the "human error" factor is always lurking around the corner.
Distractions and mental breaks can derail even the best procedures, when reloading, I'm kinda funny, I wont carry on a conversation with anyone, if they walk in the reloading room. I stop what I'm doing and get up from the bench till they leave.
Distractions and mental breaks can derail even the best procedures, when reloading, I'm kinda funny, I wont carry on a conversation with anyone, if they walk in the reloading room. I stop what I'm doing and get up from the bench till they leave.
ageingstudent
Member
The worst mistakes are the ones you have no idea you're making. It's hard to catch something wrong when your mind is telling you you are doing right. Gotta be willing to do some self examination.
Someone mentioned pulling powder data off the wrong line in their manual in another thread. With my eyes that's a valid concern and some powders have similar names. To minimize chances of this I started highlighting the load I want so I can pick it out easily. If using a load right next to one I have highlighted I use a different color highlighter and leave the highlighter right there to indicate which line I am looking at. I can totally see myself making that mistake without the highlighter.
Another way might be to copy the load info down and tape it on the powder hopper or bench.
Good reminder on getting data from the wrong line.
When I first started loading 9mm I would open my manual and on a couple of occasions the load data didn't seem quite right. I was seeing the numbers on the page - but they weren't aligning with the data I was familiar with.
Then I noticed I'd opened to 9mm LARGO data, not 9mm LUGER. 9mm Largo is the caliber right after 9mm Luger in my manual.
I ended up putting a post-it note on every 9mm Largo page that says "NOT 9mm LUGER!"
When I first started loading 9mm I would open my manual and on a couple of occasions the load data didn't seem quite right. I was seeing the numbers on the page - but they weren't aligning with the data I was familiar with.
Then I noticed I'd opened to 9mm LARGO data, not 9mm LUGER. 9mm Largo is the caliber right after 9mm Luger in my manual.
I ended up putting a post-it note on every 9mm Largo page that says "NOT 9mm LUGER!"
elpac3
Member
All good advice.
I am really old school and long ago subscribed to the one bullet, one load concept. I have an index card with each bullet and each load. One card is on the bench when I am reloading as well as only one can of powder.
Another habit I have gotten into is verifying calibration / zero on the scale at the start of each loading session.
I am really old school and long ago subscribed to the one bullet, one load concept. I have an index card with each bullet and each load. One card is on the bench when I am reloading as well as only one can of powder.
Another habit I have gotten into is verifying calibration / zero on the scale at the start of each loading session.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Sounds pretty good to me. Only things I would add are:
1. Keep your ashtray at least a foot away from powder measure, scale, and charged cases.
2. Drink only just enough beer to get in the mood before reloading. Don't overdo it.
3. Make sure you have a large enough hammer on hand so that you can force things that don't want to work the way you think they should.
1. Keep your ashtray at least a foot away from powder measure, scale, and charged cases.
2. Drink only just enough beer to get in the mood before reloading. Don't overdo it.
3. Make sure you have a large enough hammer on hand so that you can force things that don't want to work the way you think they should.
DWalt
Member
1. Be very thorough is setting your powder measure. I always throw 5 charges together, weigh them, and divide by 5 until it is set correctly. I do not trust weighing only one charge. Double check by throwing and weighing 5 more charges.
2. Always charge all cases in the tray at once, and inspect each case using a flashlight to see if there are any apparent over or under charges - inspect twice before seating the bullet.
2. Always charge all cases in the tray at once, and inspect each case using a flashlight to see if there are any apparent over or under charges - inspect twice before seating the bullet.
