Are we whimps?

[lilquiz]

Just got into reloading ,me and two others went in on a press. We loaded our first batch and went to the range. Upon walking up to the firing line, my buddie says" I ain't shooting first, you sure these are safe?". I replied " no, I am not sure.... but I followed the book to a tee". Now he had me questioning our work. After a few minutes I said a famous red-neck quote... you know <removed by moderator> and fired the first shot. All 100 rounds fired flawlessly, no squibs. A couple of failer to feeds in the newest 45 at the lowest powder load we did, but they all shot .My question is, how many others have had this pause before the "shot heard around the world" goes off.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

You're never a wimp if you're doing what you should be doing. Such as being safe with new rounds. You are a wimp if you know what you should be doing, and you don't out of fear.

 

[CCWB]

I did on my first few rounds and I still shoot my reloads to this day. I normally reload 9mm and haven't set my dies up for 38spe yet. I'm waiting on my brass to pile up for efficiency purposes.

 

[bannockburn]

If you did everything by the book, then no, you shouldn't have any trepidation about your reloaded ammuntion. I think I was more mildly amazed that they worked perfectly the first time I tried my shooting my own reloaded ammo.

 

[danprkr]

I'm always a little hesitant when shooting a new load or a new gun. An old timer once told me how to work into it under these conditions. These steps are actually more or less designed for semi auto pistols and rifles. But it's a nice way to mitigate mistakes until you're sure of your equipment etc.

- Shoot first shot one round loaded only - if it's a new to you pistol and it's broke you won't have an accidental full auto experience
- If possible remove mag for first shot - in the event of a kaboom this allows the gasses to escaped down the mag well, and not throw the slide into your face.
- Now load 2 in the mag, and shoot those.

If those things go ok you should be good to go.

As to new loads. I don't personally follow this one, but I've read where you should start at the bottom of the load chart for your bullet, powder, etc, and work you're way 0.1 gr at a time until you have the load you want. Having said that I don't actually follow this one I will say that I never start more than halfway up the scale.

 

[LiveLife]

Nothing wrong with putting safety first.

Fortunately, I had a reloading mentor when I started so my first firing of my reloads were "uneventful".

However, when I switched powders and loaded a new load on my own, I did have a "Now, did I get the right charge?" moment before I pulled the trigger.

Like "Measure twice and cut once", for reloading it's like "Recheck load data as many times as you feel comfortable, triple check powder charge weights and more if you want to be sure so it all goes BANG safely to your satisfaction."

 

[Lee Roder]

It's "wimp" and yes, I always hold my breath on first shot of a new untried load. Do I feel lucky or don't I? Even though made "by the book" that book wasn't based on my gun, etc. The Book is only a guide.

 

[Walkalong]

I think we all did a little of that with our first reloads. Then when they shoot great, we get all proud of ourselves and gain much confidence.

 

[TWAJeff]

I remember being scared as hell to pull the trigger on my first hand load. Heh heh.

 

[mm1ut1]

Especially with a new old rifle !

 

[fourdollarbill]

NOT a wimp, just smart.
I loaded 50 rounds and found the redding3 powder dispenser micrometer not locked very well and it backed out a couple of marks while using it. I started to calculate and weigh were the new setting was to see if I could shoot em. After a few minutes and coming to my senses I said no way in hell I would shoot them loads. That's not wimpy either.

 

[Hondo 60]

Although I didn't actually pause before my first shots, I most certainly did say a prayer that I did it correctly.

I would think any intelligent first time reloader has given that first shot some serious thought.

 

[sonier]

Im very very hestitant with new loads, i load ammo for few friends and will not give it to them till ive tested the rounds myself. but ive thought about using a vice and long piece of string many many times lol

 

[Iloadntie]

I did a lot of reading and research right here and TRUSTED that all of you. When I knew I had done my part right..Loaded the first one cartridge at a time...Got out to shoot no second thoughts...

 

[crazydaysorg]

I did as much reading as I could before starting reloading. I followed the steps describe, measuring, remeasuring, and checking, double checking every step. I was pretty confident I did everything right, but I still put on my wood shop goggles instead of regular shooting glasses and a thick leather jacket. I would have considered welding gloves too, if I could have gotten my fingers into the trigger guard. Finally, my wife was watching from a hundred feet away with a phone pre-dialed to 911 ready to push the button if things went wrong. I then only put one in the magazine and shot it off. Spent 2 minutes examining the case before I loaded the next one up. That was done for the first 10.

 

[HOWARD J]

I was using foreign military ammo in a Iver Johnson M1 carbine--the slide blew out of the gun to about 30 feet behind me--no damage to gun or slide.
Now I shoot reloads in the carbine--never more than 12.8 gr. of H110--the first time I pull the trigger I hold the gun as far away from me as possible--chicken--YOU BET !!!!!!!!

 

[azar]

No offense intended crazydays but I got a real chuckle out of your experience. The mental image it instills just cracks me up.

I had a decent amount of trepidation the very first time, but not to the great extent that some here have had. I had read at least two different manuals quite thoroughly, had followed published load data, started at the starting load and had quite carefully measured each and every charge. I was fairly confident everything would be fine but there was that moment of reflection wondering if I had done everything right...

I just started reloading for pistol about 5 months ago and there was a tiny bit of the trepidation again, but not quite to the same degree as the first time.