Your own reloading safety practices?

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I've been reading thru the thread about the SBH kaboom and all the possibilities of what could have happened. Several thoughts came to mind, things I've been told over the years, things I've picked up on my own, that kind of thing...

So here are some of my own "safety practices." They're just a start:

1. Clean the bench completely BEFORE starting a session. My bench "collects" all kinds of stuff when not in use for its intended purpose. But when it's time to load, there's one scale, one press (single stage), one set of dies, one can of powder, one box of bullets, one box of primers, one notebook. There are a few other things, but the point is I try to keep it impossible to grab "Item B" when I meant to pick up "Item A."

2. Load only known powders. I've been given "leftover" stuff over the years. I'm sure most of us who've done this for a while have. I say "Thank you" and the lawn tells me the same. It makes good fertilizer! I'm frugal, but still try not to be stupid more than a couple of times a day...

3. Check, check, and double check. Check the scales w/ check weights. Check the powder charges visually (in a block), check 'em periodically w/ the scale, check what you see against the loading book (I often use a ruler under the appropriate load in the book so my eyes don't "wander.")

4. Stay away from max loads. When I got started, an old timer told me to stick w/ lighter loads, and leave the "big" stuff to the factory. Truth be told, I seldom NEED "max" loads, have generally found slightly lesser loads are more consistent and/or accurate, and figure both my hand/shoulder and the gun will last longer w/ lighter loads.

5. Develop a "feel" and an "ear" for what feels and sounds right in a particular gun. Anything "out of line" should be investigated. IMMEDIATELY. I have some damaged metal of my own that helps remind me it doesn't take long for something to turn bad.

Those are just a few. Please add your own to the list!

Rick C

 

[pps]

NO DISTRACTIONS. I made my wife pull 100 bullets when she distracted me and there was one load in that hundred that I suspected of being a double load of bullseye.

She now KNOWS that when I am handloading, whatever she has on her mind can wait. Same with the kids...unless their hair is on fire or something.

 

[don44]

Concentration and never get in a hurry!

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I am very careful to prime shells away from other combustibles on the chance that one might ignite. I also check and double check scale settings and powder types and weight. I keep the load data on the table in front of me and refer to it at each step. Don't mix and match bullet weights or powder types, do one batch at a time. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[David LaPell]

Since I have a single stage press and only load maybe 50 rounds at a time, I weigh all the components beforehand except the powder. I weigh the bullets, and the brass with the primer. Then after I load the round with whatever powder and then after it is assembled I weigh it again. This way I know 100% that the round is not over or under charged.

 

[powder smoke]

I also have a single stage press but do mine in larger lots than 50, usually 200 just save a little time swapping dies out and adjusting. I'm anal tho about checking and double checking powder charges. I charge 50 in a reloading block then scan them with a lite making sure NO double charges and all cases filled to the same level. ps

 

[WESHOOT2]

My shop looks like a tornado hit. My benches are strewn with clutter.
But I still practice certain safety 'absolutes' (as in "no exceptions"):

1) Safety glasses; if touching ANYTHING other than paper documents I wear OSHA safety glasses (I actually wear them anyways, as my prescription glasses are all safety glasses),

2) Scale weight check set; used EVERY time I set up my scale. I find the weight closest to the charge weight I'm loading and check my scale at that weight,

3) No distractions; if any distraction demands my attention I STOP loading and give it my attention. I don't watch TV/ listen to music/ talk to folks/ swat flies/ do anything distracting when loading; I'm loading ammunition.
I do that.

4) I confirm; I weigh my bullets, I check my scale, I maintain my powders, I pay due caution with primers, I check performance before 'making many', I don't guess.
I assess, plan, do, and verify.
I'm not in a hurry.

 

[Cholo]

"Safety glasses; if touching ANYTHING other than paper documents I wear OSHA safety glasses (I actually wear them anyways, as my prescription glasses are all safety glasses)" WESHOOT2

Back in the 70's I had over 25 primers explode in my face while I was pinching them into the tube as directed. It did a number on my face and safety glasses, not to mention the primer tray and tube. I had to pull the primer tube out of my ceiling. I can't stress enough wearing safety glasses while re-loading!

 

[powder smoke]

"Safety glasses; if touching ANYTHING other than paper documents I wear OSHA safety glasses (I actually wear them anyways, as my prescription glasses are all safety glasses)" WESHOOT2

Back in the 70's I had over 25 primers explode in my face while I was pinching them into the tube as directed. It did a number on my face and safety glasses, not to mention the primer tray and tube. I had to pull the primer tube out of my ceiling. I can't stress enough wearing safety glasses while re-loading!

Wow that's a wake up call. Safety glasses it it. ps

 

[WESHOOT2]

Without admitting to anything :roll: , I list "Safety glasses" as my #1 safety tip; I even keep safety glasses and goggles handy for folks visiting my shop.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Don't deprime an unfired primer without making it inert first. A primer detonating in your size die is a thrill you can do without... :shock:

 

[edfardos]

I use a progressive loader and spotcheck powder weight in every 20th case. It's easy to forget to put the powder back in the brass after weighing it (it's easy to dump it back in the hopper, since that's what you do when you calibrate the powder drop). So once I start loading cartridges, the powder drop is sealed with a cap, and a golfball goes on top of that, just so I'm not tempted to dump powder back in the hopper (and not in the brass, resulting in a squib).

--edfardos

 

[gunslinger]

I agree stay away from max loads, it gives you a little room,
(never take things for granted ) it only take one mistake :idea:

gunslinger

 

[mikld]

A Mini-Maglight lives on my bench. I look in every case I reload to make sure there are no doubles or zips. I don't rely on "bulky" powder to insure safe powder levels...

 

[mikld]

A Mini-Maglight lives on my bench. I look in every case I reload to make sure there are no doubles or zips. I don't rely on "bulky" powder to insure safe powder levels...

 

[sp]

All of the above -- real good advice.

I load many rounds each year and after 40 years of loading ammo I have had 2 pierced primers and that occured when I used some gun writers pet load.

Read your manuals, check your scales, use the right bullet, right powder, right primer -- get a feel for what is realistic - make things as simple as possible -- no clutter. Right is what the manual says only subsitute for different bullet and primer types after verifying safety.

Buy a micrometer and calipers and learn how to use both. Know how to recognize excessive pressure

Don't use reduced charges of slow burning powder in large cases.

The folks at Sierra bullets are real friendly and knowledgible -- a dumb question is one that is not asked.

Lately I have begun to wear plastic med exam gloves when reloading ammo. I did this when I heard the ammo techs at the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) did this -- lead. I buy 100 gloves (extra large) at my local med supply store.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I try to keep the cigarette in my off hand or in my mouth when I'm throwing a charge. Aside from that, I habitually turn every case upside down before charging as to avoid a double. I also use a flashlight to visually inspect the powder levels before putting the bullets in the cases. I also don't generally go over max loads. I usually stay a bit below max. The exception is that I do load the Skeeter 7.5 gr of Unique load for the 44 spl which I've never seen in a manual. On that one, I had to rely on my Rugerforum friends telling me that it was safe.

And yes, I was joking about the cigarette. 8)

 

[sp]

On page 52 of the 2011 Hodgdon manual there is a photo of Charles E. Petty's bench (mini ammo factory) note that there is a fire extingusher and a whisk broom & pan hung onto his bench.

Fires can start be prepared.

Never vacuum up gun powder (static electricity).

 

[Mike Mulligan]

Follow all the safety suggestions here (beer and cigarettes after ) and read discussions like this one!

 

[protoolman]

+1 on the Mikld's suggestion for the Maglite. Its really easy to see a double charge or even an overcharge with a bright flashlight held at an angle.