gamestalker
member
I've read posts now and then about some that simply don't trust a reload to be reliable enough for self defense carry. These particular posts commonly express a strong impression that reloads just aren't reliable, and shouldn't be considered for a self defense application. When I read these posts, they are nearly always projected in a very " as a matter of fact " manner, as if it's a well accepted and know fact.
When I decided to start reloading over 30 years ago, my primary inspiration was to effectively reduce, or eliminate the quality control issues I had long encountered with factory ammunition, mostly handgun cartridges. Of those QC issues, misfires were the most often encountered failures, with accuracy, inconsistent velocities, obvious pressure variations, cycling problems, and sometimes an occasional deformity with the case or projectile that originated at the factory manufacturing level.
So when I began reloading, I had expected to virtually eliminate all of the major problems, and simply because I now had the ability to personally inspect and approve the rounds. At this point in time, and all these years later, I can say with total honestly, that I have yet to experience one single failure with my own reloads. I'm no expert, I'm just a very detail orientated individual. It's reloading, not knitting or pottery, so I approach it with an elevated respect, in that, my life may depend on any one cartridge I build.
So I guess what bothers me the most, is it seems many reloaders are not performing the process as it is intended and clearly explained in the instructional material.
And number two being, reloading is being given a false reputation in this respect, as if they are substandard, just because they are reloads.
The fact is, most who reloaders seem to accept that they will inevitably experience failures of some type, misfires and cycling are most commonly experienced. But also, a not so rare an experience is a KB.
My point regarding this post, is to impress upon those who share in this wonderful hobby, to take the time and interest to follow the guidelines of the experts who have invested the time and effort to teach us how to do it right.
Example: the books I learned from back in the day, never stated that keeping brass trimmed to spec. was an option, but rather the proper method. Seat primers to at least .004" below flush. Inspect every case after charging to make sure it has been charged, and appears to be consistent with the other cases. Which type cartridges require a roll crimp or taper crimp, or no crimp at all. Minimum of Double verification of data. Only keep the powder or components being used at the time on the bench. Never assume anything, use the published data and procedures at all times. Perform appropriate work ups any time a primary component has changed. Use clean non contaminated primers, powders, and brass. This is one particular I always go the extra mile on. Brass I use always gets an acetone moistened Q-tip wipe down internally prior to using it. And for brass that has been lubed, I actually dip the cases in acetone, or another residue free solution to remove any remaining film, and then I tumbled to make sure it is completely free of something that could inadvertently foul the primer or powder charge. These elements of reloading, and others I've not mentioned, are easily found in the pages of every good instructional book. And if followed to the "T" will produce ammunition that is significantly higher quality that most any ammunition available off the shelf. Factory manufacturers are constantly posting recalls, the only recall I've ever had to address with my loads, is one's I pulled because I desired to change a characteristic based on an application need not related to a performance failure.
So please, if you feel the need to post your insecurity regarding reloads for any purpose, try to remember that 99.9% of the time a problem is encountered, it was the result of not performing the process as intended and instructed by the experts, who taught me, and others with a perfect track record.
As for me, I will not trust my life to factory ammunition, over those loads I personally build. And another aspect that I think contributes to trust worthy reloads in my opinion, is using jacketed projectiles. Not because lead is unreliable, or sub standard. But because lead commonly requires lube to be on the projectile, which in my opinion increases a fouling risk. And even though there are a number of lead projectiles that will significantly out perform a jacketed bullet, jacketed is probably a better option for self defense, but because it doesn't introduce the risk of contamination.
So if you want to improve your confidence in your reloads, take the time to read your books, and then apply every procedure as presented by the experts. Don't take short cuts that can lead to a failure of any type. And approach reloading as if your life depends on it, cause it most certainly does, and at every level of the shooting sports.
GS
When I decided to start reloading over 30 years ago, my primary inspiration was to effectively reduce, or eliminate the quality control issues I had long encountered with factory ammunition, mostly handgun cartridges. Of those QC issues, misfires were the most often encountered failures, with accuracy, inconsistent velocities, obvious pressure variations, cycling problems, and sometimes an occasional deformity with the case or projectile that originated at the factory manufacturing level.
So when I began reloading, I had expected to virtually eliminate all of the major problems, and simply because I now had the ability to personally inspect and approve the rounds. At this point in time, and all these years later, I can say with total honestly, that I have yet to experience one single failure with my own reloads. I'm no expert, I'm just a very detail orientated individual. It's reloading, not knitting or pottery, so I approach it with an elevated respect, in that, my life may depend on any one cartridge I build.
So I guess what bothers me the most, is it seems many reloaders are not performing the process as it is intended and clearly explained in the instructional material.
And number two being, reloading is being given a false reputation in this respect, as if they are substandard, just because they are reloads.
The fact is, most who reloaders seem to accept that they will inevitably experience failures of some type, misfires and cycling are most commonly experienced. But also, a not so rare an experience is a KB.
My point regarding this post, is to impress upon those who share in this wonderful hobby, to take the time and interest to follow the guidelines of the experts who have invested the time and effort to teach us how to do it right.
Example: the books I learned from back in the day, never stated that keeping brass trimmed to spec. was an option, but rather the proper method. Seat primers to at least .004" below flush. Inspect every case after charging to make sure it has been charged, and appears to be consistent with the other cases. Which type cartridges require a roll crimp or taper crimp, or no crimp at all. Minimum of Double verification of data. Only keep the powder or components being used at the time on the bench. Never assume anything, use the published data and procedures at all times. Perform appropriate work ups any time a primary component has changed. Use clean non contaminated primers, powders, and brass. This is one particular I always go the extra mile on. Brass I use always gets an acetone moistened Q-tip wipe down internally prior to using it. And for brass that has been lubed, I actually dip the cases in acetone, or another residue free solution to remove any remaining film, and then I tumbled to make sure it is completely free of something that could inadvertently foul the primer or powder charge. These elements of reloading, and others I've not mentioned, are easily found in the pages of every good instructional book. And if followed to the "T" will produce ammunition that is significantly higher quality that most any ammunition available off the shelf. Factory manufacturers are constantly posting recalls, the only recall I've ever had to address with my loads, is one's I pulled because I desired to change a characteristic based on an application need not related to a performance failure.
So please, if you feel the need to post your insecurity regarding reloads for any purpose, try to remember that 99.9% of the time a problem is encountered, it was the result of not performing the process as intended and instructed by the experts, who taught me, and others with a perfect track record.
As for me, I will not trust my life to factory ammunition, over those loads I personally build. And another aspect that I think contributes to trust worthy reloads in my opinion, is using jacketed projectiles. Not because lead is unreliable, or sub standard. But because lead commonly requires lube to be on the projectile, which in my opinion increases a fouling risk. And even though there are a number of lead projectiles that will significantly out perform a jacketed bullet, jacketed is probably a better option for self defense, but because it doesn't introduce the risk of contamination.
So if you want to improve your confidence in your reloads, take the time to read your books, and then apply every procedure as presented by the experts. Don't take short cuts that can lead to a failure of any type. And approach reloading as if your life depends on it, cause it most certainly does, and at every level of the shooting sports.
GS
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). What it boils down to for me is training, being physically and mentally ready for when a stoppage happens it is cleared rapidly from muscle memory because of the number of hours you have put in training.
