Pay attention when reloading: Lessons Learned

[64Rambler]

So I'm usually pretty attentive while reloading, making sure I've got everything sorted, measured, in the right place, etc. But last week I loaded up 50 or so rounds to do some load development with new bullets and powder. While shooting, I had a couple rounds that placed low and the velocity was a little lower as well, but not significantly - only a 1/4" low at 100 and 15-ish fps low and I didn't think tooooo much about it, but it bother me nonetheless.
Then while priming the next set of cases to continue load development I noticed a case that primed very different from what I was expecting. I mostly run Alpha brass, but also have 100 Lapua to play with, as there's a fairly strong camp that prefers one over the other. Franlky, I have yet to get groups as tight with my Lapua brass, as I get with Alpha -YMMV.
Anyway, for those not famliar, Alpha primer pockets have a pressure ring about half way into the hole and priming is usually something like Contact, Bump, Stop. Lapua primer pockets are smooth all the way in and priming is more like Contact, Sliiide, Stop.
While priming this next set of cases, I noticed a Lapua feel in the middle of all the Alpha feels. Hmmm... So I stopped priming took a closer look at the case and sure enough, Lapua. Then I looked much closer at the cases that I had just fired and found 2 Lapua cases - There's the low placement and velocity!
Glad I caught it, but it means that I missed these cases MANY times during the reloading process; sorting, depriming, tumbling, annealing, and priming.
Alpha cases usually have less volume than Lapua cases, and If I run a hot load for Lapua in an Alpha case, it could push things into a high pressure situation.
The spent primers pictured are Alpha on the left, Lapua on the right - you can see the indent from the pressure ring.
The cases are also Alpha left, Lapua on the right, and it is from one of my hotter loads, enough to make a swipe, but the primer was not flat or cratered. This load in an Alpha case would have resulted in a flat primer and a swipe.
Stay safe out there!

 

[K22]

Staying focused and instituting a verification process are two of the keys to safe reloading.

I verify components before reloading them. I only keep the components I need on the bench when I am reloading. I empty powder measure every time I reload.

Still, I have made my share of mistakes. These almost always have been due to being distracted and more so, reloading while being a time constraint. I try to select a time to reload where there is no time schedule to meet. I take my watch off.

Thanks for your post, it's always good to remind ourselves that even experienced reloaders can make mistakes if attention to detail is overlooked or rushed.

 

[jelenko]

Yeah. I have collet bullet puller that I bought have breaking several of the impact ones.
I've replaced the collet because it got worn.

 

[kenhwind]

This morning, I had to disassemble a .44 Special case that had an inverted primer in it. I also had a primer feed issue yesterday on my Dillon 550, and upside-down primer.

At first, I blamed the primer system but two upsides down primers, hmm.

I just finished cleaning lubing the press and adjusting the primer punch.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

If I am tired it is not a good idea to take on any important tasks or jobs. stopping for 30 minutes or hour for a nap can help.

 

[HighlandLofts]

Interesting thread. I have a friend who is top of the list for squids.
He actually should give up reloading.
I call him MR, SQUIB.
I've never seen anyone with multiple squibs until him.
About eight years ago he did some work for one of his friends.and didn't charge him for his time.
His friend bought him a Hornady single-stage Lock n Load kit so he got into reloading.
He bought a wood bench on wheels from Harbor Freight and got everything mounted on the bench.
He stores it in an extra bedroom.
When he wants to reload he pulls it out into the living room and does his reloading and watches television.
One bad combination.
I have sen him shoot and he would pull out a dowel and would deal with a squid, plus he tells me of squids when he is out shooting by himself.
I an surprised he hasn't shot a hot load after a squib and damaged a gun yet.
I guess he is attentive to the reduced sound and recoil of squid loads.
Well a little over a month ago he was shooting his 9mm Ruger LCP and finally shot a double charged piece of ammo and destroyed that revolver.
He mailed it back to Ruger and it is total trash.
I have been telling him for years to permanently mount his bench either in that bedroom or out in his garage and just focus on reloading with no distractions.
That will never happen.
We we go shooting together we go up in the Cascade Mountains on DNR land open to shooting. I set my shooting table atleast thirty feet away from his table.
Some day something really bad will be taking place for him or for someone next to him.
He bought everything to load up 300 Win mag for one of his friends, actually the friend who bought him the reloading kit.
If he ever does and they go shooting, I will stay home that day.

Bad thing can and will happen when not paying attention while reloading.

 

[Mike Casselton]

So I'm usually pretty attentive while reloading, making sure I've got everything sorted, measured, in the right place, etc. But last week I loaded up 50 or so rounds to do some load development with new bullets and powder. While shooting, I had a couple rounds that placed low and the velocity was a little lower as well, but not significantly - only a 1/4" low at 100 and 15-ish fps low and I didn't think tooooo much about it, but it bother me nonetheless.
Then while priming the next set of cases to continue load development I noticed a case that primed very different from what I was expecting. I mostly run Alpha brass, but also have 100 Lapua to play with, as there's a fairly strong camp that prefers one over the other. Franlky, I have yet to get groups as tight with my Lapua brass, as I get with Alpha -YMMV.
Anyway, for those not famliar, Alpha primer pockets have a pressure ring about half way into the hole and priming is usually something like Contact, Bump, Stop. Lapua primer pockets are smooth all the way in and priming is more like Contact, Sliiide, Stop.
While priming this next set of cases, I noticed a Lapua feel in the middle of all the Alpha feels. Hmmm... So I stopped priming took a closer look at the case and sure enough, Lapua. Then I looked much closer at the cases that I had just fired and found 2 Lapua cases - There's the low placement and velocity!
Glad I caught it, but it means that I missed these cases MANY times during the reloading process; sorting, depriming, tumbling, annealing, and priming.
Alpha cases usually have less volume than Lapua cases, and If I run a hot load for Lapua in an Alpha case, it could push things into a high pressure situation.
The spent primers pictured are Alpha on the left, Lapua on the right - you can see the indent from the pressure ring.
The cases are also Alpha left, Lapua on the right, and it is from one of my hotter loads, enough to make a swipe, but the primer was not flat or cratered. This load in an Alpha case would have resulted in a flat primer and a swipe.
Stay safe out there!

That "swipe" on the Lapua brass looks like your every day Origin action mark.

 

[Leo_B]

One of the benefits of being poor and a plinker. If I were a shooter I'd want to focus only on the right half of the load charts. As a plinker I focus on the left, the 20%-50% range of the charge data. So since I'm not trying to extract everything from loads I can't have a 98%-99% load turn into a 107% load from whatever. And I can only afford 1 gun per caliber so I eliminate the sort by gun variable too. Not that that allows being less than 100% focused and following data, procedures and protocol, but makes parts a bit easier.

 

[64Rambler]

That "swipe" on the Lapua brass looks like your every day Origin action mark.

I see it more with Lapua brass, and also leaning toward hotter loads, but wasn't aware that it was an Origin "thing" - Good to know.

 

[topclass2017]

I have calibers that I use Lapua brass, some with Peterson, some with Alpha...you get the idea. I've been asked at the range I use the brass that I do load (I generally only take 1 caliber rifle or pistol to the range at a time to prevent brain fahrt mistakes...). My reason is fairly simple: it is either the brass that was specified in the load data for a used/new-to-me rifle, or what was available when I began working up loads for a new rifle. Saves time and resources, and eliminates re-inventing the wheel. I segregate brass by headstamp and caliber in 1-gallon zip lock bags with a tag inside providing information on what has or needs to be done on the brass, keeping bags by caliber in separate clear storage containers, labeled by caliber. My wife thinks I'm compulsive (probably. likely.) but I prefer to not trust my memory.

 

[hoz53]

Yeah. I have collet bullet puller that I bought have breaking several of the impact ones.
I've replaced the collet because it got worn.

those shell holders are junk in those impact type arent they. i often times use a regular shellholder turned upside down. i always use the rcbs collet type puller if i can but sometimes gotta use the impact.

 

[M-61]

those shell holders are junk in those impact type arent they. i often times use a regular shellholder turned upside down. i always use the rcbs collet type puller if i can but sometimes gotta use the impact.

The following is hearsay or 3rd party stories:
The use of a shell holder has led to some firing of the cartridge.
Now I guess that turning the shell holder upside down ‘could’ cause contact between the primer and the inverted shell holder. Especially if the collar is not fully tightened and the cartridge not centered.I guess it would allow the cartridge to come back and strike the primer and I guess could cause it to fire.
I have no clue how or if any of this happened since I have never used a shell holder.
I gave up on the inertia pullers a long time ago. Not out of any concern but the collet puller is easier.
I just never as I said witnessed any of these firing problems, but I have no idea exactly what these individuals are doing. In fact there is a post today about someone who watches TV as he reloads and has problems. No wonder.
Strange world.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I should write a book on all the dumb stuff I have ever dun.

 

[std7mag]

Could have been much worse.

Some years ago, I heard of someone accidentally used Titegroup instead of Varget in his 308.

Needless to say it became an external combustion rifle.
Multiple surgeries to his left hand and arm.

Labels on the bottles were fairly similar, and he had both bottles on the bench.

Lesson I took from it was to make sure of the powder and only one powder on the bench at a time.

 

[hoz53]

I should write a book on all the dumb stuff I have ever dun.

me Also— could prob write 2 at least.

 

[hoz53]

The following is hearsay or 3rd party stories:
The use of a shell holder has led to some firing of the cartridge.
Now I guess that turning the shell holder upside down ‘could’ cause contact between the primer and the inverted shell holder. Especially if the collar is not fully tightened and the cartridge not centered.I guess it would allow the cartridge to come back and strike the primer and I guess could cause it to fire.
I have no clue how or if any of this happened since I have never used a shell holder.
I gave up on the inertia pullers a long time ago. Not out of any concern but the collet puller is easier.
I just never as I said witnessed any of these firing problems, but I have no idea exactly what these individuals are doing. In fact there is a post today about someone who watches TV as he reloads and has problems. No wonder.
Strange world.

it has probably happened. its probably happened with the factory shell holder to. i try to be as careful as i can and havent had any ignitions on my loading bench in 50 years but its always possible and has happened. if i want to take zero risk i know this isnt the hobby2 be In

 

[True Grit]

Reloading is a art and I'm not a very good painter. I seat all my primers by hand and cull to the side those that have weaker primer pockets and use as sighters or oilers. I also visually check and run my finger across the primer to check for excess protrusion. Even with doing all that I had a FTF at a match last month. Somehow I put a primer in upside down and never noticed. Told my wife I must hear better than I see and I'm pretty much deaf.

 

[Syncrowave]

After spending an unsuccessful hour or two looking for it when I dropped it, I'm still on the lookout for the live primer I dropped in my reloading room. Maybe someday it'll give SyncroWife a thrill when she vacuums!

 

[TheOtherZilla]

After spending an unsuccessful hour or two looking for it when I dropped it, I'm still on the lookout for the live primer I dropped in my reloading room. Maybe someday it'll give SyncroWife a thrill when she vacuums!

Just one? I found one in my garage.