Too Dangerous?

[Bob Wright]

I was talking with a workman yesterday afternoon, in my backyard. He had noticed that I was a shooter, and so was he, and we began some "gun talk." He asked if I reloaded my ammunition, which I do, of course.

I asked him if he reloaded, and he said no, he felt it was too dangerous.


He was an electrician.



Bob Wright

 

[JFB]

of my few friends (all shot) very few reload, for basically the same reason. right now I only think of one and haven't seen him in a couple decades. (My introduction of him to reloading was an interesting event)

 

[375supermag]

Hi..
I don't know of a single friend that reloads, other than very occasional acquaintances at the gun club.

 

[Pat-inCO]

I think it is less the danger, and more the amount of shooting you want to
do, given the money you have available to spend.

Just like when you buy beef by the side. You don't spend any less, you
just eat a whole lot better.

With reloading, you spend the same amount of money, you just get to
shoot a whole lot more per dollar spent. 8)
(not going to open the reliability and consistency can of worms :roll: )

 

[bogus bill]

When younger most of my closest friends reloaded. Now they are all dead. I have most my reloading stuff but usually don't reload for several years and then I will reload for a few days and let it go again for up to two years. I still have ammo in the garage I loaded up to almost fifty years ago!

 

[Big Old Boy]

Both of my sons as well as myself reload to me it is relaxing and of course almost as fun as shooting.

 

[TRanger]

I have been a handloader for over 30 years without any dangerous mishaps. Like most things, it is a matter of paying attention to what you’re doing and following sound loading practices. I find it very enjoyable in and of itself; and, frankly, don’t know how I’d be able to shoot the variety of firearms I enjoy otherwise. Several of my friends handload; but perhaps that is exceptional.

 

[caryc]

I think Pat's nailed it here.

When I first was mulling over whether to reload or not, back around 20 years ago, a big consideration to me was
the fact that I really liked shooting firearms whose names began in "forty." Like .45acp, and .45 Colt, and .45 - 70
rifles. These calibers were significantly more expensive to shoot, if I were only to shoot factory ammunition, than if
I were to load my own. So, initially, it was a financial consideration to me. It was only once I'd started that I realized
just how much fun handloading would be!

I definitely approached handloading as a serious undertaking. I must have read manuals for better than a year before
I began buying my equipment. Still, as long as I am paying 100% attention to what I am doing while I am in the
process of handloading, I never looked at it as inherently dangerous.

It's funny ... back in the middle 80s, I became seriously addicted to scuba diving. As an old surfer, since 1967, I
realized very quickly what a natural fit diving was with surfing. In other words, when the surf was up, then we'd go
surfing. And when it was truly flat, well, those were our optimum diving conditions. Being a Floridian, this was such
a natural fit that it baffled me how few of my fellow surfers I could convince to 'take the plunge' with me, and give
scuba diving a chance. Those few who answered my questions honestly ("why won't you give diving a chance?")
would invariably tell me "I'm scared of being bitten by a shark. That's why I don't want to do that." Now, given that
surfers are pretty much the #1 victims of bites by sharks along the coasts, this answer has puzzled me since I first
started asking the question. But the fact remains that precious few surfers have thought through these things, and
realized the silliness of denying themselves the pleasure of the underwater world. I look at it pretty much the same
way when we talk about how few "shooters" handload their own ammo. There's a satisfaction in putting together
truly accurate and consistent ammunition that handloaders enjoy. And I still find it puzzling when someone would
cite "danger" as a reason not to enjoy it. Oh well, to each their own. - DixieBoy

I'm curious here as to what you used to make this post? I see a lot of posts with added hard line breaks with many lines with just one word in them. Are you actually adding those line breaks on the device you are using?

 

[blackhawknj]

I started reloading for reasons of economy and being able to find and tailor "my" loads. I was such a dedicated reloader that it was TEN years before I fired a factory load out of my S&W M-57 41 Magnum. Learn the correct procedures in the correct sequence, follow them rigidly, avoid maximum loads like the plague. I would think the same would apply to being an electrician.

 

[caryc]

I think Pat's nailed it here.

When I first was mulling over whether to reload or not, back around 20 years ago, a big consideration to me was
the fact that I really liked shooting firearms whose names began in "forty." Like .45acp, and .45 Colt, and .45 - 70
rifles. These calibers were significantly more expensive to shoot, if I were only to shoot factory ammunition, than if
I were to load my own. So, initially, it was a financial consideration to me. It was only once I'd started that I realized
just how much fun handloading would be!

I definitely approached handloading as a serious undertaking. I must have read manuals for better than a year before
I began buying my equipment. Still, as long as I am paying 100% attention to what I am doing while I am in the
process of handloading, I never looked at it as inherently dangerous.

It's funny ... back in the middle 80s, I became seriously addicted to scuba diving. As an old surfer, since 1967, I
realized very quickly what a natural fit diving was with surfing. In other words, when the surf was up, then we'd go
surfing. And when it was truly flat, well, those were our optimum diving conditions. Being a Floridian, this was such
a natural fit that it baffled me how few of my fellow surfers I could convince to 'take the plunge' with me, and give
scuba diving a chance. Those few who answered my questions honestly ("why won't you give diving a chance?")
would invariably tell me "I'm scared of being bitten by a shark. That's why I don't want to do that." Now, given that
surfers are pretty much the #1 victims of bites by sharks along the coasts, this answer has puzzled me since I first
started asking the question. But the fact remains that precious few surfers have thought through these things, and
realized the silliness of denying themselves the pleasure of the underwater world. I look at it pretty much the same
way when we talk about how few "shooters" handload their own ammo. There's a satisfaction in putting together
truly accurate and consistent ammunition that handloaders enjoy. And I still find it puzzling when someone would
cite "danger" as a reason not to enjoy it. Oh well, to each their own. - DixieBoy

I'm curious here as to what you used to make this post? I see a lot of posts with added hard line breaks with many lines with just one word in them. Are you actually adding those line breaks on the device you are using?

Cary - I just type until I get to the right hand side of the box the forum allows me. Or, I might go one or two
words more, but then I hit my Enter key, to keep my posts from running the whole length of the page. I find they
read easier for me that way.

The one thing I have the most difficulty reading is when people just post a huge block, without paragraph breaks
or anything else to break up the text. Must have been the English teachers in my past; they wouldn't have let me
ever get away with that kind of thing. - DixieBoy

DixieBoy,

You should not add those manual breaks like you are doing. The forum will start new lines for you. If you want to start a new paragraph, just hit the enter key twice. That's what computers do best. They format the page for you. You don't have to put in any line breaks. Do you not see how every other line in your post contains only one or two or three words?

 

[GP100]

When I got my first gun, I was hooked.. I then decided that if I was going to shoot, I was going to learn to reload. To me, the two go hand in hand..

Nobody at the time that I knew reloaded.. I learned everything by books. And came up with some loads all my own that work great..

If you're gonna own a gun, you should reload.. You can tailor the bullet to fit your needs. Rather than buy a one-size-fits-all approach..

I find reloading fun and relaxing for me..

 

[Taterman]

I'm curious here as to what you used to make this post? I see a lot of posts with added hard line breaks with many lines with just one word in them. Are you actually adding those line breaks on the device you are using?

His post came out perfectly formatted here (unless he edited it). Maybe it's an issue with the way you are viewing it?
I have received emails like that though with all the line breaks.

 

[Mobuck]

Tom basically refuses to reload ammo. He shoots what I load but says he's too easily distracted to do it himself. Guess you need to realize your limitations.

 

[smoke-eater]

After over a half century of shooting (was given my first .22 rifle when I was five), I'm seriously considering reloading.
I recently bought a used Marlin 1895GS (JM) and the seller threw in 45-70 dies and 200 pcs. of primed brass. That should be incentive enough!

 

[#1rugerman]

I started reloading shotshells with a old lee loader, mallet, bathroom scale, and DuPont bulk powder in the old cube shaped can at 8 years old, I’m 67 now and I still have all my parts. Now i’m Not saying that when I was using the old Lee loaders that I haven’t popped a few primers, made my ears ring a bit but no major mishaps. Started out loading paper shells, you were lucky if you got more than 3 or 4 loadings before the crimp would no longer hold.
Now I am set up to load 18 centerfire calibers plus 12 and 20 gauge shotshells, no telling how much money I have saved over the years, plus I have worked up,custom loads for most of my guns.

 

[Ka6otm]

I've been reloading metallic for 63 years and shotgun for 50 years. It's not at all dangerous as long as you pay attention to what you're doing.

I've run across a lot of people who think it's too dangerous, though. At the range one day the wife asked a guy there if he reloaded and he said no. She asked if she could have his brass and he said no, it's too dangerous to reload and he didn't want to be responsible for any accidents we had reloading.

Go figure.

 

[caryc]

I'm curious here as to what you used to make this post? I see a lot of posts with added hard line breaks with many lines with just one word in them. Are you actually adding those line breaks on the device you are using?

His post came out perfectly formatted here (unless he edited it). Maybe it's an issue with the way you are viewing it?
I have received emails like that though with all the line breaks.

I figured out what was wrong. I was viewing the forum with Firefox. When I open the same post with Explorer the line breaks with a few words were gone.

I took some screen shots to show you how each looked. You can view them here. So there must be other Firefox users that see the same things that I do. The two browsers just don't display things the same way.

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=269620

 

[mistermills357]

I don't reload myself, because it never interested me enough, but it ain't dangerous. And I think that anyone who says that it is, has a foolish propensity to exaggerate things. I am being kind, and I am doing it on purpose, in order to spare the electrician; because that was a dumb thing to utter.

 

[Selena]

accidental discharge.

 

[Selena]

When I bought a Dillon reloading press I enjoyed reloading... At least until my husband took it over. I'd try to get it back but it would be too dangerous. You know how men are when they find a toy they like.

 

[Tom W]

I've met a few people here in Phenix City that handload, but none that cast their own bullets. Most people think cast bullets will ruin a firearm. With proper bullet fit and a good lube I have to say that they are very wrong. I have yet to get leading in any of my handguns or rifles. But then, I only started casting and handloading in the early 1970's.... Except for one time.....
There was one time when a friend discovered "moly" and coated some cast bullets for my .45 GM. I looked a bit sideways and asked if there was any other lube to be put on the bullets and he said no. I loaded up a box and off to the range I went.
After about four shots I had to bump the slide a bit to close it, after seven I couldn't hit anything and knew something was wrong. I dropped the magazine, locked the slide back and looked at the muzzle. It looked like silver spaghetti coming out of the bore.
I went home and disassembled the loads, tumble lubed them and then they did just fine. And I never payed attention to his ideas again.
Later on I discovered White Label Lubes and bought some carnauba red. That's all I use now....

 

[Kevin]

I reload, and I’ve tried cast bullets, I seemed to get a lot of lead build-up. I then switched to the polymer coated (or moly-coated) bullets. My accuracy improved and I didn’t have the lead build up. Now this is just me. If someone says the complete opposite like above, I believe them 100%.

I also never liked the cast bullets because I would get my fingers covered in lead. Thus, from a health standpoint, I like poly-coated bullets better as well.

But, as people have alluded too, you need to be focused when reloading. I’ve never had a problem with my reloads, but I have friends who have had issues. They swear it’s the gun which malfunctioned, not their reloads, but I don’t believe them. One guy has had at least two guns explode on him. And no, I will NOT even go shooting with him, much less fire one of his reloads. The last time I went shooting with him, he brought 30-30 rounds to shoot in his 7.62x54 Mosin Nagant. I’m thankful I saw this before something bad happened.

So yes, this sport takes focus. It is a sport and this is the biggest reason I love shooting is the focus it takes, you do not have time to think about daily problems or other concerns.

My favorite caliber to reload? 45 Colt. There could not be a better match than this caliber and reloaded ammunition.

 

[ilikerams]

I don't reload myself, because it never interested me enough, but it ain't dangerous. And I think that anyone who says that it is, has a foolish propensity to exaggerate things. I am being kind, and I am doing it on purpose, in order to spare the electrician; because that was a dumb thing to utter.

I've been reloading since the late 60's and was an electrician for 46 years. I don't consider either one of those things dangerous if you practice "situational awareness".

accidental discharge.

One of the causes of unwanted pregnancies. :lol:

 

[Fox Mike]

The only reloading I have done was for my .222. Bought a Lee loader back in '64. Still have it. Only had one 'oops'. I was reloading in my barracks room ( really a BIG NO NO) while at Ft Bliss and had a primer go off. It was a Saturday afternoon and the area was mostly vacated. My roommate about had a kaniption. I moved into an rental house not too long after that and now had a 'legal' place to do my reloading. I have never had a repeat of that 'event'.

 

[toysoldier]

As I acquired centerfire firearms, I invested in reloading supplies for each caliber. I'm cheap, I like mechanical things, and I enjoy the satisfaction of crafting my own loads.

 

[Gaffer]

I got started Reloading to afford my Remington Mod. 722 in .222 Rem for woodchuck hunting. That was about 65 years ago when Ball C-2 was less that $2.00/lb. That gun was very accurate and with a 6X scope the woodchucks on our farm were big trouble. That was a a Lyman Tru-Line Jr. press and only neck resized. The balance beam scale would take forever to stop moving and I made my own scoops for just the right weight of powder.
Its no different than baking a cake with a recipe but I know that some people can't even boil water!

 

[Ka6otm]

Its no different than baking a cake with a recipe but I know that some people can't even boil water!

Most of the reloaders I know would agree with that. They're experienced but not knowledgeable. When the powder shortages began after Obozo got elected, they came to me asking for recommendations for other powders they could use until they could buy some more of their usual. And, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

A few, very few, are experienced and knowledgeable. Those are the ones who could buy a wildcat caliber that has absolutely no load data and come up with safe, accurate loads.

 

[rugerguy211]

I've often thought of reloading, but I shoot mostly .22LR, 9mm, and .223/5.56.
The biggest issue for me is this. What EXACTLY do I need to get for reloading components?
Everyone says, "all you need is a, b, and c". Then, as soon as they start talking about it, they add x, y, and z to the list.
At some point I'll visit someone who reloads and see what they have and how it's done, and maybe bring some of my saved brass to work on.

 

[Kevin]

Rugerguy211. I’m not sure where you are, but I wouldn’t mind showing you my reloading bench and the basics needed to get started. I’m sure many people here would do the same.

 

[Gaffer]

To get started you can be very simple, but as time goes by you will yearn for more equipment to speed up the process etc. Reloading is similar to most other processes where you start simple and then expand as you learn. You don't have to start gold plated,in fact it better to start simple and grow additional equipment as you learn and expand your knowledge. It is no different than any other hobby or trade.
I did it the hard way without any fellow help. Just used a book on reloading and moved slowly. Worked out fine!