Best Ideas to Make Reloading Safer and Simpler?

[ClayM]

Might have been posted already...if so, needs to be said again...



...THINK!!!...

 

[SG4247]

I use the backs of the thousands of old business cards I have, to record all my load info. A new card for every loading. I can stack the cards up as the brass is fired, and then I will have a complete history of the life of the brass. I keep a stack of cards in each box.

Just by looking at the card in this photo, I know everything about this brass that has been fired 12 times.

 

[ebb]

I have a rule that when put powder in a case, it never leaves my hand till a bullet is seated in the case and it is a completed cartridge. No forgetting to charge one, or double charging one in a loading block of 50 or 100.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I have an excel sheet that prints me these cards. I do have to feed the paper back in to print the backside and cut them into individual cards but they fit in the lid of most MTM cases.

I made mine in word, but excel would probably be easier.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I use a bound composition book.
Record things like sorted weights, measurements, before charging.
Record load data, Position and color code (if used on case groove or primer) of any planned differences like seating depth, charge, primer. etc. Any comments about changes from last time.
Fit check in chamber for match rounds. Each and every one.
No labels with ammo this time for a blind test.


Photo targets (or screen shots) and reference in the book at the range.
Like second row from box, 1st row, right dot on target.
Record group size, scope adjustments, range conditions, etc.
Comment on changes for next time.

Chronological record of reloading. Goes from the reloading bench, to the range and back.

 

[Lee Whitsel]

I was out shooting a new Remington 223 ADL and it started a light sprinkle rain not much just time to head home. I put the rifle into the new hard plastic water tight sealed case and being in a hurry to get home put all away when I got home forgot to take that new rifle out and wipe it down A couple of months later I opened the case with that light mist of water all over the gun sealed into a water tight case the gun was rust from a to z... Had to refinish the whole gun. Word of wisdom. Now i try to remember to wipe all guns down with a oily rag before i store them and a new thing i do now i spray a oily coating on the foam padded area inside the gun cases and then close the cases no more problems of water in the gun cases sealed in... Hope this saves you some grief from a gun that got rusty the way mine did.....

 

[TaperPin]

I heard a few stories of loading .264” bullets in a .257” case and not knowing it, and at least one chambered and bad things happened. Same for 7mm bullets in a 270 case.

My entire adult life I figured it wouldn’t be possible to mess up that bad and if I did it wouldn’t chamber. Looking at 140gr 270 and 7mm bullets it’s hard to tell which is which unless they are side by side.

I measured the chamber neck in my 270 with gauge pins and it’s true - a 7mm bullet can be loaded in a 270 case and chambered. I’m a double and triple checker, but not everyone is - I’m letting everyone I know that loads for a 270 or 25 cal about this.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I'm loading rounds for a Saturday 600yd match right now.
My sizing ends with pocket up, I measure length and flip the ones that need trim ( I get growth with my 22 Nosler AR) , chamfer/deburr leaving neck up (can see shiney neck).
Prime, leaving primer up.
NO powder can spill into cases.
Then one at a time charge/adjust up/down slightly/seat.
I can stop at any time and tell where I left off.

I did a ladder last practice session with a new barrel and don't have time to do another before the match.
3 charges seem to hold promise, so I'll combine load testing with the match.
32.1 gave an average of 2996fps. (Magnetospeed) loading 32.0 for couple foulers then 32.1 for 24 rounds,
31.7 gave a 5 shot average of 2944, loading 31.6.
31.1gr of SB 6.5 gave an average (5 shots) of 2890fps
Starting with the higher load, and maybe clicking up 0.1 mil for each relay with the smaller charges.

Loaded some more, nap time

 

[p5200]

Simple thing I do is put all empty cases in one block upside down then, put in another block right-side up after being charged. May have been mentioned already it gives me piece of mind about a possible double charge when possible.

 

[47WillysGuy]

I powder charge prepared cases in groups of 20, I then weigh those charges in those cases again, then seat the bullets long of those 20 loads. Then go to the next 20 after a nap or if the better half needs something. For me, this prevents major accidents. See the pic below.

I keep notes; in a note binder, in excel, and on printed 2x3 inch paper of the step by step loading process which is kept in the ammo box. I take a lot of measurements on 10 random brass cases. Excel does the averaging. I track the number of times those cases have been fired. I can come back a week later and know exactly where I’m at in the reloading process of those 70/80 rounds.

 

[p5200]

I powder charge prepared cases in groups of 20, I then weigh those charges in those cases again, then seat the bullets long of those 20 loads. Then go to the next 20 after a nap or if the better half needs something. For me, this prevents major accidents. See the pic below.

I keep notes; in a note binder, in excel, and on printed 2x3 inch paper of the step by step loading process which is kept in the ammo box. I take a lot of measurements on 10 random brass cases. Excel does the averaging. I track the number of times those cases have been fired. I can come back a week later and know exactly where I’m at in the reloading process of those 70/80 rounds.

View attachment 1485334

WOW! did that happen while loading or, firing a round?

 

[47WillysGuy]

WOW! did that happen while loading or, firing a round?

It happened to someone else. We are dealing with 50-60 plus thousands of pounds of pressure per square inch or more when we accidently overcharge or cause some kind of restriction of the bullet. I keep the picture as a reminder to obey reloading rules. Not saying that I will totally prevent problems/accidents. My biggest rule is that if I'm tired from the day's events, I don't touch the reloading bench.