Would you accept the liability?

I agree with some of the others. When you do the work and learn the ins&outs reloading can be really satisfying. Much of that is lost when someone does it for you.

Last new reloader I mentored was my youngest son's friend. (32 yo) I gave him a Rockchucker and a few other extras I had, helped him fill in the rest and set it up. He caught on quickly and after a year he told me he had no idea how great it could feel to shoot very small groups with ammo he made! His biggest thrill was the first White Tail he put down in 1 well placed shot from his 30-30.

I knew he was serious when the first thing he bought was a load manual and read the front before we even started setting anything up.

Uh, just say nope not happening

I wouldn't let a reloading novice (or even a semi-experienced person) reload on my gear without direct supervision. Not because I'm worried about "liability,"* but because I don't want anyone screwing with my stuff. I don't re-measure and re-calibrate everything when I go into the basement and start reloading... I can safely assume it is all just as I left it, since nobody but me messes with it.

I'd use that as the basis for a firm "sorry, but I can't let you do that."

* NOT LEGAL ADVICE: A lot of people express a lot of views on "liability" without a clear articulation of what the basis of liability would be, nor without any understanding of what any particular state's law is regarding important concepts like "assumption of the risk." In many states, when a person knowingly engages in an activity that has obvious, known, and inherent risks, they have very little ability to sue others if those risks manifest themselves. For instance, in many states, I wouldn't give very good odds to someone who makes a mistake in reloading and tries to sue anyone else.

Eddy19 said:

What do you think? I'm I being unreasonable?

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Not in the slightest.

He is taking advantage of your good will. It's one thing to introduce a guy to shooting/reloading, and another thing entirely to move in to your house. He's the one that's out of line here, not you.

It's too bad he has put you into such an awkward situation, but it was him that did so, not you.

Even if it results in hard feelings, you gotta establish boundaries you expect him to follow when it comes to your house and everything inside of it.

"No."

After 56 posts, it looks unanimous. The answer is a resounding "No" and tell him whatever you wish. If I had any doubts (which I didn't) it was the comment the OP made about getting a reverse mortgage.

Eddy19 said:

About three months ago, a acquaintance called and has taken a interest in shooting so, wants me to go with him, which I do. Recently, he wants to learn reloading after seeing my bench. What's it's going to lead to is him wanting to reload all his brass here and clean his gun after every shoot, he's made hints that's what he wants to do. Told me he'd like to "bring all his stuff" here. He's bought some things like a hand priming tool, brass preparation set etc.

I thought about this good and hard. I have problems with anyone else using my equipment, first is liability, I own this house free and clear. What if, somehow even in a freak incident, he gets injured, primer tube blows up, powder catches fire, anything. I know in these times, they'll run to a lawyer and I'll be in big trouble.

Secondly, I'm in the process of getting the house ready to remodel, so if I'm not shooting, I'm working on the house, and cannot possibly sit by and hand hold him while he reloads and no way would I leave him alone to reload. He's not experienced at all in reloading, he's just a rank beginner that has to be shown every single thing, has no particular skill in dexterity and lacking analytical thinking.

I told him, I'm very busy now and that he should work on getting his own press and all that's necessary. Says he has no room living in a apartment. He does have more than enough money.

I'd like to nip this in the bud so to speak.

What do you think? I'm I being unreasonable?
Thanks!

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I think its fine to take the time to help him learn the process, but he's really just looking for a friend and someone to hang out with. It sounds excessive to me, and I don't think you are being unreasonable at all to want your house to be filled with your things, and not be obliged to have someone there needing babysitting after every shoot. First thing he needs to do is read some manuals on reloading. So you could recommend that.

I also would be uncomfortable with someone using my equipment and space, because as noted it's YOURS, and if something goes wrong, yeah I think you'd be out of luck.

You don't need THAT much room for a basic setup. And if he has more than enough money, maybe he needs to spend some on an apartment or house that actually supports his needs, instead of expecting other people to supply him with room to work and equipment to use.

I say it's totally reasonable to put your foot down. But I'm not real social, so...…………

Eddy19 said:

One problem I have with letting someone using the reloading stuff is, it's like a personal space where I know exactly whats where, how the dies are set, everything. Once someone messes with it, I couldn't be sure anymore what he did, put the powder back in the wrong can etc.

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This kind of hits the nail on the head too. A home is a personal space and while there are places in your home that you will invite people into, there are parts of your home you won't. For me, a reloading space is not somewhere I won't invite someone into, but it is personal, and I wouldn't want anyone messing around in there. It's no different if someone gets in your car and starts screwing with all the controls or radio. NOPE! you are a gest here. adjust your seat and your side of the climate control, and that's it.

I also don't give a rip who is visiting, my bed is my bed. It's a personal space, and no one sleeps there but me and my significant other, if I have one at the moment.

I did not read every post here but I do not let anyone use my table saw or my tig welder either.

Skgreen said:

I'd tell him 'If you're truly serious, you gotta start gathering your own equipment to do this at your place, starting with a small bench".

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That's a really good idea right there. About the most tactful, yet to-the-point way of telling him how it is with a very low possibility of hard feelings.

When I lived in a single bedroom apartment, I used a Black&Decker Work Mate fold-able bench. I'd swap out my Pacific progressive shotshell reloading press or my Rock Chucker, as needed.

If he doesn't have enough room to setup a B&W Work Mate, then he has a lot of other issues to work through before he starts to learn to reload.

bihj said:

If he really wants to reload he will find room in an apartment. I've done it in the past.

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He doesn't even need a portable bench. I've been loading on my dining room table for years. My has q problem with it, but the small bedroom I made by destroying two walk in closets for our youngest son keeps getting filled with people. Had her oldest son and 3 grandchildren with unfortunately several months. So I lost my reloadeding room before I even got to set it up.

House was pretty hectic for a while.

If by chance you do mentor h on his equipment you could always have him sign a release of liability. Like some of the disclaimers you see posted here for going past saami book loads.

Just say NO. Like many others have already mentioned. I don't want someone else using my stuff without me or storing their stuff in my house. Period. Maybe if it were my brother, daughter, son, or wife..... Maybe depending on the person and not the relative position.

Free loading in any form gets a firm he'll no from me.
I will help and teach you in your space with your equipment.
Give him the book ABC's of reloading and call it good.