Reloading Safety Rules

[Pitmaster]

Since I'm new and there does seem to be a recent increase in people taking up reloading. I was wondering if there are any safety rules related to this hobby. Sort of like the rules of firearm safety. Are there only a few or are there more. A thread generating basic safety rules and tips and then put together as a sticky would be helpful to me as a newcomer to reloading. I'm not suggesting tips to make reloading easier but tips that prevent injury or errors.

The reason I ask is a guy was over helping me with a problem and he made a comment about never having two powders open on the bench. I did. I'm guessing the reason is that you don't want to mix powders or use the wrong one.

Another idea is those little tips that most or many of you have learned from experience that you automatically do to prevent problems, errors, or increase safety. I was just leaving powder in my powder die. I found out its not a good idea for a couple of reasons, forgetting what the powder is and moisture absorption.

[lcarreau]

If this thread takes off, it might be a good sticky.

-Lonnie

[918v]

Safety Rule #1:

Always work-up your loads from minimum to max.

This hobby, essentially, is the manipulation of high pressure. This pressure may harm you or others if unleashed uncontrollably. This pressure is contained inside the barrel, sealed by the projectile on one end and the brass case on the other. Because nothing in this world is perfect, there are weak links in the system. You never know where the weak link may be hiding. It could be a defect in the firearm itself, such as a small hairline crack in the barrel. It could be a defect in the brass case. The recipe may have a typo such as superimposed numbers, etc. Working up your load from min to max not only allows you to find the most accurate combination of components, it will prevent or minimize the harm caused by defects in the firearm or the components.

[4eyes]

No alcohol, no outside interference, learn to count, keep records, keep your area clean and organized, insert primers with a small hammer, learn to adjust dies before you make up 10K rounds, make up dud rounds and run 'em through the mag and gun prior to adding primers and powder, barrels make good cartridge gauges, if you are too cheap to get reliable data--guess on the high side--win the Darwin Award.

Pay attention to the post immediately preceding this one. He knows what he is doing.

[918v]

Safety Rule #2:

Use that combination of components for which published pressure tested data exists.

Basically, if you are going to use a 147gr. Hornady XTP bullet in your 9mm Parabellum, use Hornady's data or a powder manufacturer's data specific to that particular bullet. This is the safest approach for the following reasons:

1. There are a bunch of different 147 grain JHP bullets on the market.
2. They can be loaded to different overall lengths.
3. The resulting combinations will create different pressure levels.
4. Interchanging load data may result in excessive pressures.
5. Interchanging overall length may result in rounds that won't chamber.

[MakeMineaP99]

Pitmaster,

You're in or around South Bend, right? You need any help reloading or otherwise, give me a holler.

[Pitmaster]

Will do. I'm not doing this blindly. I've met a couple of guys at Bend of the River who are tutoring me a little.

I've been having some problems setting up my Lee Classic Turret for 9mm. I've spend several hours trying to get things going but the bullets just go in way to deep. I set up the .45 dies in about 30 minutes with no problems. A buddy came over and we screwed around for a couple of hours with it without success. I'm waiting for Tuesday so I can get some other 9mm bullets and try them. If they load I know I got a bad batch of bullets. If not I'll be calling Lee and hopefully sending the turret head, and some bullets and brass to them and ask them to set it up for me.

Do you load for a Walther P99 in 9mm? If so what's formula. That's my primary shooting gun to load for.

[MakeMineaP99]

Will do. I'm not doing this blindly. I've met a couple of guys at Bend of the River who are tutoring me a little.

I've been having some problems setting up my Lee Classic Turret for 9mm. I've spend several hours trying to get things going but the bullets just go in way to deep. I set up the .45 dies in about 30 minutes with no problems. A buddy came over and we screwed around for a couple of hours with it without success. I'm waiting for Tuesday so I can get some other 9mm bullets and try them. If they load I know I got a bad batch of bullets. If not I'll be calling Lee and hopefully sending the turret head, and some bullets and brass to them and ask them to set it up for me.

Do you load for a Walther P99 in 9mm? If so what's formula. That's my primary shooting gun to load for.

I shoot a bit North of you at the Berrien County club, when I'm home.

I haven't loaded for the P99, it was stolen some years back, I haven't found one with the first gen frame in a private sale yet. I'm still on the look out, great gun.

[Steve Koski]

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee304/SteveKoski/GP%20Pics%20A/SitDownWhenShotsAreFired.jpg

[lcarreau]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98I1i8Toj8E

[Pitmaster]

I haven't found one with the first gen frame in a private sale yet. I'm still on the look out, great gun.

That's what I have. Shoots much better than I do. Now if I can jus tmake my own bullets.

[MakeMineaP99]

That's what I have. Shoots much better than I do. Now if I can jus tmake my own bullets.

The P99 will eat anything a Glock will.

4.5 grs WSF under a 120 gr cast is a good plinking load or 5.0 grs WSF under a 115 gr FMJ.

If you're really brave, I can show you some loads for 9mm Major.

[Pitmaster]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98I1i8Toj8E

Nothing like watching how to do it right so you filter out the printed crap that across your research. :patriot:

[sparky241]

:frown2::nonod::ack2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98I1i8Toj8E

[gokyo]

Some rules at my bench are

Put a powder label on the press. I tape it over the lid so I can not add more or do anything with out taking the tape off.

Keep the bench and area clean and clear

Where goggles or safety glasses when working with powder or primers.

Read the direction even if I do not plan to follow them

Never eat or drink at the bench

Wash hands after a session.

Do not multi task. If I am reloading then that is all I am doing.

No children in the room when I am reloading.

Never try to reseat a high primer after it has the powder and the bullet in place.

I will think some more about it. I think this mostly covers the rules I try to follow.

[SnooseGoose]

- Always visually check for the lack or over abundance of powder in each case before placing bullet.

- Never walk away from my 550 without advancing shell place and preparing for the next pull of the handle. (i.e, verifying powder, placing bullet and inserting brass at station one). That way there is no chance of me coming back and pulling the handle and double charging a round.

SG.

[ept000]

Trying to fix a primer is not worth it. Throw it away.

[gokyo]

-

- Never walk away from my 550 without advancing shell place and preparing for the next pull of the handle. (i.e, verifying powder, placing bullet and inserting brass at station one). That way there is no chance of me coming back and pulling the handle and double charging a round.

SG.

That is a good point. When I reload with my 650 If I have to leave in the middle I leave the Press in the up position. This way their is nothing to think about except pull handle down.

It makes it so you can not screw it up.

[Helms]

I am fairly new to reloading, but I was wondering if anyone takes any special precautions against static electricity when working with/ around gunpowder and primers. I havent had an issue yet, but in the winter I fry myself constantly around the house with static electricity. It would probably be a very bad thing to do around gunpowder.

Also wondering if anyone uses latex/ nitrile gloves when working with lead bullets. I have thought about doing this myself to keep exposure and possible contamination to a minimum.

[sparky241]

i always clear the press of brass if i have to leave it for any reason

[pastprime]

ever throw the empty powder bottle away until the hopper is also empty of that powder....if you throw it away too soon something will happen that causes you to have to empty the hopper and where you going to put the powder so that you know what it is..???

It one of Murphy's unwritten laws...trust me...