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Reloading Safty Rules

Mr. LoboMr. Lobo Member Posts: 538 ✭✭✭
edited January 2002 in General Discussion
I have finally gotten to where it is hard to afford not to reload. My boys are also getting to be good enough shots that the edge you get from reloading might take them to the next level. I have a Dillion 550RL reloader and have been studying on how to reload. I also have a couple of friends that are reloaders. I would like to know any safety rules for reloading. Everything that you can think of will help. Thanks!
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Comments

  • b00merb00mer Member Posts: 975 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The one that comes to mind the most is PAY ATTENTION while loading. No smoking, and watch your loads to make sure you don't get any dbl loads or empty loads, either one can cause potentional explosion hazards in a weapon.
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  • whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    When you reload, do ONLY that, reload.Clouder..
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  • YankeeClipperYankeeClipper Member Posts: 669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Very good advise clouder, I have even quit having the TV on. Just me and my press.
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  • 7mm_ultra_mag_is_king7mm_ultra_mag_is_king Member Posts: 676 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Measure everything! Measure everything! Do not take it for granted that the powder measure will disperse the same amount each time. Weigh each and every single load. Measure everything. Learn how to watch for signs of excessive pressure when shooting reloads. Measure everything. Do not assume that settings are accurate. Get a good set of stainless steel dial calipers. Measure everything. No matter how fed up you get measuring and weighing everything, do it. If you want safe and reliable ammo, measure everything. One little mistake can ruin your entire day. Measure everything.Keep everything neatly organized, Do not allow bullets to mix with other brands, calibers and weights. Do not mix powders. If you run out of powder and buy a new can do not mix them. Use all of what you have and start a new batch with the new powder. When buying multiple cans of the same type look for lot #'s and buy the same lot # if possible. Measure everything. Have fun and be safe. P.S did I mention MEASURE EVERYTHING!
    when all else fails........................
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dont leave unused powder in the measure. Always put it back in the RIGHT can.Dont let your mind wander to anything other than what you are doing.Always mark the load on the box.Always see that primers are right side up in the priming tool. Always make a full clean stroke with the powder measure. If it sticks part way or hangs up at the cutoff then dump the charge back in the hopper and redo it.
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Never, ever, ever, and Never, put more than 1 can of powder on your table at the same time. v35 said always put the powder back when done using it, but dont even have more than one can out at a time, only one on the table at a time. You'll eventually find yourself rubbing your head and wondering which of the two cans you were working out of if you didnt write it down immiediately. Which bring me to my second point, make meticulous notes, and annotate EVERYTHING, and label the bullet box well when done, or put a label in the box.Always listen to the others, measure everything.Dont even think about getting distracted, never drink anything but non alcohol products.Do not deprime a live primer.Do not let the dog, cat, or wife or kids near your table.Never get up from your work to come back to it, finish what you are doing, one process at a time works for me, but dont stop in the middle of something, unless you absoloutely will know where you left off.Get a Lee hand primer, go digital on the scale if you can afford it.Check each and every primer hole before installing a primer in the case, I hold mine up to the light.Always check your case length with your caliper, before and after sizingUh, I'm writing a book, sorry, you get the picture
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
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  • COWBOYKIDDCOWBOYKIDD Member Posts: 239 ✭
    edited November -1
    I can only add one thing and that has to do with the primers.Dont I repeat Dont force anything.If your press hangs up and doesnt feel smooth do not force it.Always make sure the metal primer tube cover is in place. I had mine hang up a little and pushed a little harder on the primer button and now I have a couple dozen holes in my ceiling.Kidd
    Politicians Love Gun Control / China Has Gun Control
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  • robsgunsrobsguns Member Posts: 4,581 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    cowboykidd,Thats why the Lee primer.
    SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC[This message has been edited by robsguns (edited 01-02-2002).]
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  • COWBOYKIDDCOWBOYKIDD Member Posts: 239 ✭
    edited November -1
    Rob.. I cant complain about the primer feed on the Dillon, It worked very well for 12 yrs. It was my mistake for not stopping rite then to see what the problem was. Turned out to be a plastic pin had worn. So I called Dillon and a couple days later I was reloading again. But yeah if the Lee hand primer works for ya Kidd
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  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    Only other thing I can think of is- Check the brass closely for defects. Anything abnormal is a reject. Good Luck!!
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  • Mr. LoboMr. Lobo Member Posts: 538 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is great stuff! Thanks for all the advice. I plan on printing all your comments out and stapling it to the wall of my shed.
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  • .250Savage.250Savage Member Posts: 812 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I can repeat that: always wear your safety glasses. In mumblemumble years of reloading, I have never had a primer go off when I didn't want it to. I am not willing to give up an eye for when it does.Keep them in their origional package, which keeps them seperated. Primers in a pile can mass detonate (can you say grenade?).Hey 7mm, ya forgot to tell him to measure everything!
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  • Shootist3006Shootist3006 Member Posts: 4,171
    edited November -1
    Ryan pretty well listed the safety rules for reloading. The only thing I would add is to keep your work area CLEAN and UNCLUTTERED. If you don't sooner or later it will catch up to you in some unpleasant way.
    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • woodsrunnerwoodsrunner Member Posts: 5,378 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with everything said so far. But they all missed what I consider the most important one of all.If you are tired or fatigued in any way, go watch tv, don't reload. All my mistakes have been made when I was tired and in a hurry to finish up. When we are tired we don't always use the best judgement.WOODS
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  • XracerXracer Member Posts: 1,990 ✭
    edited November -1
    If you're casting your own bullets, do so ONLY IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA and WEAR LEATHER GLOVES AND SAFETY GLASSES.And, as 7mm says....Measure Everything!
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  • ThePaladinThePaladin Member Posts: 32 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    As with guns, alcohol and reloaders don't mix well. and don't forget to measure everything, at least twice.
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