Reloading mishaps on the way?

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Coffeeguy

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Of course, components are somewhat hard to come by now, especially in popular calibers. It's good to see so many people jumping on the reloading bandwagon, albeit out of necessity, but I had a thought which conerns me...I've been reloading for 20-plus years, and in all that time I've stuck with just a few bullet weights and styles because of what works well, and the limitations of my weapons.

For example, magazine-fed rifles depend on a certain max cartridge length to function properly (or feed at all). Those who are blindly buying anything available, such as for .223 AR's, are buying things such as an 80- or 90-grain bullets which are meant to be loaded at a longer OAL than a 55- or 62-grain bullet because of pressure issues, and as such, some won't fit into a standard magazine when loaded to the recommended OAL.

I know there's a certain 'fudge factor' in published reloading data for safety and liability reasons, but I'm not at all encouraging that anyone deviate from SAAMI specs or safe reloading practices. I think, though, that many people are just diving into reloading with a dangerous level of ignorance, and wonder if anyone's either heard of an increased amount of mishaps relating to improperly-loaded ammunition or anticipates it.
 
I read a post on another forum in which a guy was asking for load info on 45 ACP and IMR-8208 because that is all he had available! Come on, read up and use some common sense! I know where you are coming from...
 
I agree. It's bound to happen.

Hope I'm far enough away to avoid injury and close enough to provide first aid.
 
Some of these folks are from the "Instant Gratification" generation. As soon as they realize they're going to have to put some work into it and actually have to study to keep from blowing themselves (and possibly others) up, you'll see their equipment for sale on eBay.
 
Some of the questions popping up are pretty scary, but I'm just as concerned with a certain amount of semi flaming experienced reloaders sometimes respond with. If the n00bs are afraid to ask questions.... well...:what:

Probably the best I've seen was actually pre panic.

"How much powder do I put in a .45ACP?":uhoh:
 
I ALWAYS recommend that beginning handloaders aquire and read at least two reloading manuals. Cobbling together loads using whatever is available is a genuine recipe for disaster. I consider myself an experienced loader and am even more cautious now than I was in the beginning since I now realize the results of questionable practices.
 
I think we had one here recently when a new to shooting guy apparently used Clays in a load using Universal Clays data. (kaboom)

There also seems to be a trend where the new guys don't think they need to read a reloading manual.

More to come I'm sure.
 
PO2Hammer said:
There also seems to be a trend where the new guys don't think they need to read a reloading manual.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of guys born after the mid-80's who have a very hard time getting their heads around the idea of paying for content/information.
 
I was born before the 80's & I believe in free education. Isn't that why we're here? I've got one book that I bought 20 years ago still like new. I normally use my PC.
 
Oh to the OP things seen pretty normal around here at The High Road. There isn't a spike in new reloaders it is just the peak of the cycle.
 
Many new reloaders are posting here and in other forums asking good questions. That part is good. It's their timing that's troubling; many seem to be doing something dumb then asking if they should have done it.

Makes me wonder how many of them will fix the problem before they shoot the rounds, and how many are bothering to neither study nor ask.
 
I believe we all collectively want to get all new reloaders up to speed safely but they do have to put forth a LITTLE bit of effort in the beginning and learn about it for themselves.:cool: I will always try to help when I can but sometimes they will ask the same questions over again and again. Might it be that they are expecting a different answer than the correct one?:banghead: They all have to learn sometime as we all did once upon a time. I also applaud those that are truly trying to learn the craft we hold so dear. I feel that if a new reloader wants instant gratification they should spend their free time in line waiting for factory ammo to be shipped to their favorite store.:scrutiny:
 
I'm a new loader. And I too am scared. I didn't get in bc of necessity. I wanted to for years. For my birthday in early December I was gifted a lee kit. Then all the crap hit. I read the lee manual. Read tons of stuff online. Talked to my dad who loads. Talked to others who load. Then started. Have I done dumb stuff. Yes. I've stuck a few casings I forgot to lube or didnt lube well. I decided to shoot a dummy round only to learn that a live primer has enough force to lodge a 9mm bullet in a barrel. That's a story in it self there. I knew what I was doing but in hind site it was my most brilliant idea.

What I haven't done is load ammo that wasn't weighed out or was metering inconsistently. I haven't deviated from standard practices or lengths etc. There's a lot of common sense that needs to be used in loading. I dont think a lot of people either have it or use it.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I'm better than any of those guys. I am new and realize that. Im still learning and enjoying the heck out of it. I have an addiction. I also have 3000+ loads under my belt now too and have loaded for 4 or 5 calibers and have more dies and brass to play with yet.
 
I'm one of those noobs you are referring to. I have the advantage of being an old fart, a bit of common sense, and a bit of background in physics and machines. I studied reloading for a long time before buying anything, and then before loading one round made sure I understood the concept and consequences. Then I proceeded with caution and now I'm obsessed with another hobby
 
You're both smart and will load for a long time. Congratulations but there are a lot of new reloaders who are not willing to study and go slow at first. These are the guys who buy a Dillon 650 and then ask what to do with it.
 
PO2Hammer said:
I think we had one here recently when a new to shooting guy apparently used Clays in a load using Universal Clays data. (kaboom)

There also seems to be a trend where the new guys don't think they need to read a reloading manual.

More to come I'm sure.
Click to expand...
I was going to mention that thread. I sent a PM, too, but have not heard back from him. We are ALL the lesser for his departure. It is only a matter of time before the anti-gun crowd set their sights on reloaders.

Lost Sheep
 
You can find all the information online so having a manual isn't as big a deal as it was a few years ago. Just watch the how to videos on Youtube and get the data from a reputable source and you're ok.
 
PO2Hammer said:
I think we had one here recently when a new to shooting guy apparently used Clays in a load using Universal Clays data. (kaboom)

There also seems to be a trend where the new guys don't think they need to read a reloading manual.

More to come I'm sure.
Click to expand...
That is scary. I have been doing this for some time now and know plenty of loads by heart but every time I pull out the dies I have my three manuals and my personal load log with me. Loading without a manual is like driving blindfolded.
 
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