Some people shouldn't reload

[jelenko]

I use a progressive for my 200/300 rounds and a caliber specific loading block for prone slow fire.

With the progressive, any time loading is interrupted, I ALWAYS check any cases in the press that don't have bullets. Even with that, I've had an occasional round with no powder. => For matches, I weight each round that will be used in rapid fire to confirm there's powder and for the slow fire stages, I take a few extras just in case.

FWIW, of the 10-20 rounds that had a primer but no powder, the bullet has never left the case. I run 3 thousand neck tension.

 

[Steel Mover]

When you run into a person that never makes a mistake, expect everything to be at fault except themselves. I have 45 years as a match director, there is no limit to the excuses, VS, boy did I screw that up. Not surprised at all.

Ever see what a 353 FA gun will do to over loaded 357 mag brass? It eats it, vaporizes it, literally, comes out about 9mm brass length. What is wrong with my brass.....Your 353 just ate it. That is exactly what I told a Full Bird Colonel one day. Ah, Colonel, you better stop shooting that load before you blow yourself up. Holy Sheep Dip!

 

[jimmymac]

During match conditions, where reloading on the spot is the preferred method, I’ve gone to the line with no primers in the case. I’ve also gone to the line with no powder in the case. Stuff happens.

 

[Big_Daddy]

Definitely, why they keep showing loading blocks and charging all cases at once in those manuals defies safety. IMO.

I guess a person needs to know their limitations...LOL

 

[Dgd6mm]

I choose to do things differently at different times.....and do not believe I'm wrong for doing it the way I choose. Not looking for an approval from anyone.
One thing I know about this game is, you live and learn. I've always tried my best to do this simultaneously.

 

[DShortt]

There's a huge difference between trying something and learning from it if it turns out to be a mistake and making an obvious mistake, supported by visual evidence and refusing to admit a mistake.

One involves a learning curve. The other is an exercise in stupidity that will end in a catastrophe, injury or both.

 

[gdbleb]

I guess a person needs to know their limitations...LOL

On bad days my limitations are limitless.

 

[K22]

Long time ago I instituted a simple failsafe system for charging cases to avoid a double charge (pistols) and making sure each case has powder.

Step 1: After priming, all cases turned upside down in loading block. Also serves to visually check for proper primer seating.

Step 2: Charge one case at a time turning it over when charged.

Step 3: Check each case for powder before seating a bullet.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I also do that.
Allows me to cull out cases with upside down primers before charging

 

[46and2]

Well, this was done by me when I first started loading.


From then on I double checked every primer.
Then two years later I had my crosshairs on a doe....click, no recoil. You guessed it, another backwards primer. I guess they go in easier backwards, lol.

 

[BowWow]

I've done that with on a progressive press several years back.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Everyone has to find their own way to do things that fit them for sure. I remember back in High School Algebra I didn’t do so well( cough, cough).Next time around with a different teacher that knew how to teach, he got me and we made it through I &II with flying colors.

 

[Old Navy]

I'm surprised at the burning and neck damage done by the primer alone.

I have missed a few over 50+ years of reloading. Only one bullet left the case and it didn't look like that. Maybe wet powder on that one?

 

[dgeesaman]

Visually check EVERY case!
I learned that long ago.
I even have a dedicated flashlight to get a really good look before seating Bullets.

A direct overhead light for me.

 

[K22]

Most of us have made mistakes reloading if you have done long enough but I agree with the OP's premise - some individuals should not reload.

It's not that the ones in this category that I have encountered over many years in the shooting sports lack the intelligence. It's that they do not have the demeanor for attention to detail or the mechanical attitude for such endeavors. They have other skills but not the ones that lend themselves to this kind of process. Typically, these personalities don't do well working with their hands either, such as home improvement projects etc.

Accordingly, they would be better served with factory ammo especially the "blasters" that just like to shoot rapid fire at 10" steel plates at 100 yards. Nothing wrong with that if that's your game, but you really don't need precision reloads for blasting. You can get bulk "blasting" ammo cheaper than reloading it. Also, trying to mass produce "blasting" ammo can increase the risk of a serious mistake.

 

[markm87]

That's a lot of brass damage from a primer.
Looks more like a fizzle from contamination.

Agreed. I had a missed charge on .223 a few weeks ago. Didn't even budge the bullet. I thought the primer was bad, until I pulled the bullet to find no charge and the primer did ignite. NO WAY that much blackening is from primer only.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I'm heading to my reloading building shortly to resize about 2000 .223 pieces of L.C......pdog brass. Nothing dangerous today. FL die is set up with 0.0015 shoulder bump. Feeds like a slick willy.

 

[DShortt]

Agreed. I had a missed charge on .223 a few weeks ago. Didn't even budge the bullet. I thought the primer was bad, until I pulled the bullet to find no charge and the primer did ignite. NO WAY that much blackening is from primer only.

Maybe, but that likely means the case was contaminated with something at least. So a mistake was still made and refusing to accept that is going to cause more problems in the future.

 

[Rocketvapor]

A CCI Fizzle?
Seem to have a few of them reported lately.

 

[DShortt]

The only problems I have experienced with CCI or any other primers turned out to be a firing pin spring.

Obviously strange things happen but I don't think a weak primer would cause something like seen in the OPs post. I'd say either a severe undercharge/no charge or contaminated powder/case.