Opinions on reloading hazards.

26 March 2002, 18:26

When I hear about case head separations, detonations, stuck bolts from excessive pressure, etc. it scares the crap out of me! I want to reload so I can make super-accurate ammo but I don't want something I've loaded to blow-up in my face.

Of course, I'd wear safety glasses and take precautions but are these problems strictly caused by ignorance or is it just a gamble you take when you reload? If I do start, I'll definitely be getting help from RogerinNeb but I don't want to worry about a blast of hot gas coming back in my face or my gun blowing up when I'm out to enjoy some range time if I do MY part.

Your input is greatly appreciated.

26 March 2002, 18:54

Clark

I have pushed 23 calibers to the case failure or gun failure. I have no scars from this hobby. I don't know anyone hurt from handloading.

In contrast, my body is covered with scars from other hobbies, and all my friends who died violent deaths were doing hobbies other than handloading.

The problem is that to start handloading, one follows set procedures and rules. If one follows these, some reasonable safety can be expected.

When someone starts thinking he understands load design enough to venture into the unknown, it will appear overly dangerous to those suffering from fear and ignorance. The problem is, those people suffering from fear and ignorance, think and really believe that the pioneer is crazy and dangerous.

This problem, by ITSELF, could keep a million men typing for the rest of their lives.

[This message has been edited by Clark (edited 03-26-2002).]

27 March 2002, 00:59

Eddie

I agree with Clark's reply.

I'll add, "Reloading is not dangerous, but some people who reload are."

Eddie

27 March 2002, 01:27

arkypete

Mother Nature has a way of removing idiots from the gene pool, usually by the idiots own actions. Hence the Darwin awards
If you read the reloading manuals, keep reading here, ask questions you'll not run into problems.
The biggest mistake I ever made was to get a bullet stuck in the barrel because I forgot powder. If I had tried to blast the bullet out with a second cartridge then I would be an idiot and cause harm to myself. As it was, I used a range rod and tapped the bullet out and continued shooting.
Jim

27 March 2002, 02:16

<Hunter333>

Glad to see that I am not the only one that has forgotten powder

I left it out of 5 rounds...... I also had a case stuck when I was shooting and the barrel was too hot. other than that, I have not experienced any safety related issues!

------------------
One shot, one kill. No excuses, no exceptions, EVER!!

27 March 2002, 03:50

<Chainsaw>

Neb, My wife has noticed a real danger in reloading that has occurred in our pick-up with me driving past the reloading store outlets. It seems that our truck develops a big front end pull when in these areas and automatically pulls in.

This happened on I80 in Sidney Neb. when our Blazer developed the same problem and pulled off the highway into a Cabelas store that was advertized on a highway billboard

Seriously if you're not an Orville Overpower type when it comes to reloading you'll be fine. But as you know life is not without risks. It's the thing that remains constant in a free society.

Enjoy your new hobby------------Chainsaw

27 March 2002, 05:27

<KING>

Don't smoke, Don't drink. Read several reloading manuals before deciding on a load. Allways work up a load. Don't jump into anything, research it. good luck!

27 March 2002, 05:46

<Don Martin29>

The only injury I ever got, besides a Weatherby eyebrow, was from a rim splitting on a .22LR Rem "Kleenbore". I had to go to the eye doctor to get a piece of what looked like powder removed.

Just like the post above that mentions a no powder load I almost got hit by a section of barrel that blew off of a trap door when a load was fired after the previous handloaded bullet had stuck in the barrel.

Everything is dangerous. Do it right.

27 March 2002, 10:13

Dutch

Very dangerous. If you don't watch it, you'll have no more free time, and all your "toy budget" goes to buy more gadgets; importing bullets from South Africa, brass from Finland and powder from Australia. Then, you have to get another gun (Chech) or scope (German). Before you know it, you need to add a room to your house to store all this stuff. Then, you'll need to book a couple of hunts (Canada) to investigate terminal performance of your bullets.

Whatever you do, don't start. Dutch.

27 March 2002, 10:38

Jim in Idaho

Been reloading since 1968. Have never had a kaboom and never a truly stuck case. Had a couple of head separations (case, not mine) before I knew what to look for.

The above said it well - reloading is not dangerous, but some reloaders are.

My advice - BE METHODICAL. Be clean, as in not messy. Obey the little rules, like only having one can of powder on the bench at a time. Do not reload when distracted or when drinking. Do not let others distract you. You can do some case prep work in front of the TV, but when priming and adding powder and seating bullets your full attention must be on what you are doing - never let someone distract you.

If anything seems out of the ordinary, stop and investigate. Do not force anything.

And finally, don't try to squeeze that last 50 fps from your load - it don't mean sh*t to the trajectory, the animal or the target, but your firearm might not like it at all.

[This message has been edited by Jim in Idaho (edited 03-27-2002).]

27 March 2002, 10:58

Pyrotek

A new reloader don't usually cause danger, it's when you thought you've known it all, start to be neglegent and overly self-confident about safety.

27 March 2002, 16:52

rogerinneb

Neb,

When we get together for lunch I'll be the guy with the patch over my eye...(kidding!)

Rog

27 March 2002, 17:05

Max503

Only dangerous situation I have encountered is when the powder bridged in my powder measure. The full charge didn't fall into the case I was filling, then the extra went into the next case! Luckily I caught it by inspecting the powder level in the cases before the bullet seating step. This is not an uncommon situation-something to watch out for.

28 March 2002, 04:21

dan belisle

Yeah, Chainsaw, all the vehicles I drive have the same problem. Everytime I work in Nebraska (North Platte, Scots Bluff, Alliance)the vehicle (even if it's a rental!-spooky) suddenly has to drive to Sidney or Kearny. Sometimes to Grand Isle. Looks like an X-files case to me. LOL - Dan

28 March 2002, 08:34

wallyw

quote:
Originally posted by dan belisle:
Yeah, Chainsaw, all the vehicles I drive have the same problem. Everytime I work in Nebraska (North Platte, Scots Bluff, Alliance)the vehicle (even if it's a rental!-spooky) suddenly has to drive to Sidney or Kearny. Sometimes to Grand Isle. Looks like an X-files case to me. LOL - Dan

Buy several reloading manuals. Read them to get a feel for the cartridge, powder, bullet combinations.

Set up in a room where you will not be disturbed. If you smoke stay clear of powder. Store powder and primers in a cabinet with only ONE powder on the ench at a time.

Keep reloading area neat and clean and mind clear.

Do not exceed/substitute loading data maximums.

What I've learned in 32 years of reloading:

Pistol and shotgun extremely suceptible to double charge. Take care.

Slower rifle powders generally fill case around max. For example 4831 will fill case before reaching exceedingly high pressures.

If you exceed manuals maximum look for difficult extraction. If primer pocket will loosens with good brass you are to hot. If you see bright mark in extractor area of case you are up around 70000PSI.

Jack O'Conner once wrote a piece entitled "Pressure is your friend". It is if used properly. However running 3 grains past maximum rarely makes sense. Hot charges of slow burning powder severly reduce barrel life. Whats more you rarely see much over 100fps gain.

If your 6.5X55 125 grain nosler at 2850 is to slow, rechamber to 260Rem. Still need more out of a 6.5 got to 264 Winchester. Look at a ballistic table to see if you are really gaining much for increased veocity.

Insure that your headspace is on the minimum side and that your dies are set to maintain that headspace. No point working that brass more than necessary. Drastically reduce chances of case seperation.

Wear glasses. I've had cases seperate and pierced primers. Not pleasant but no real harm with safety glasses. Wear them when you reload. I've had two primers go off over the years while trying to seat a primer in a case already primed. Really got my attention but no harm due to eye protection.

Get a good ($100) scale and use it often.

I'll conclude by saying that reloading is fun and safe.

Relax and enjoy!

Wally