[Chris17404]

Hi all,

I am considering starting to reload shotgun shells. I have done a little bit of research on it, and plan to take a class in the future. But first of all, I have some safety questions:

1. When powder spills, either in small or large quantities, how do you safely clean it up and dispose of it?

2. My workbench is down in my basement, about 15 feet away from my gas furnace (read open flame). How far away do I need to be from my gas furnace to safely reload?

3. Do you wear gloves and/or breathing apparatus to avoid exposure to lead and powder inhalation?

4. What's the best way to store the reloading components safely?

5. What other aspects/tips of safety do you use/suggest regularly?

Thanks for your time.

Chris

[Chris17404]

Another question...

How do you properly dispose of a reloaded shell that's "ready to go" that didn't come out right?

Chris

[RNB65]

>1. When powder spills, either in small or large quantities, how do you safely
>clean it up and dispose of it?

Use big automotive funnels to pour powder and shot so you don't spill any. I've never spilt more than a single charge of powder when I accidently pushed the charge bar and didn't have the shell seated properly. I just vacuumed it up with the vacuum cleaner.

>2. My workbench is down in my basement, about 15 feet away from my gas
>furnace (read open flame). How far away do I need to be from my gas furnace to
>safely reload?

15 feet should be good. Just be sure to keep the powder containers tightly closed and stored as far away from flame as possible. Maybe put a barrier of some sort between the furnace and reloading bench if you can.

>3. Do you wear gloves and/or breathing apparatus to avoid exposure to lead
>and powder inhalation?

I never have. Lead shot is coated with graphite which helps protect against lead exposure. Just wash your hands throughly after touching the shot.

>4. What's the best way to store the reloading components safely?

Just keep the container lids tight and in a safe place where kids can't get to them.

>5. What other aspects/tips of safety do you use/suggest regularly?

Connect a ground wire to your reloading press to avoid static electricity. Also, take half a Cling-Free static sheet and dangle it inside the powder bottles from mouth to bottom. They'll absorb static electricity from the power and keep it from sticking to the sides of the bottle.

>6. How do you properly dispose of a reloaded shell that's "ready to go" that didn't come out right?

The nearest trashcan.

[scrat]

you need to go to the reloading section and read the top few post. you will gain a lot of knowledge and good advice. when you go looking for a press id look at www.midwayusa.com then check out lee precision load all press.

[GlowinPontiac]

I'ts not a good idea to vacuum up flammable substances.
a stray spark from the motor could lead to a BIG problem.

every wet/dry vac i have ever seen has had a warning label on it stating never suck up anything flammable be it a solid or liquid.

i clean up powder spills by wiping them up with a damp paper towel which is then flushed.

as for disposal of a badly made shell if it is a plastic shotgun round you could simply cut it open with a knife and remove the components for reuse if you wished. save the hull with the live primer and fire it off next time your out shooting. rifle/pistol rounds simply pull the bullet and remove the powder and start over.