RELOAD RECORDS

[Kittitas George]

I recently bought a new S&W 686 357 Mag. I haven't shot my S&W 27-2 for a long time. I have about 6 or 8 boxes of 38 Special and 10 boxes of 357. I had each box labeled with powder type, charge, primer, case and date. How ever some were reloaded as far back as 1989. I was able to confirm most of the loads as "safe". But a few boxes I could not check in my manuals. I had failed to write down the source of the load. I have never loaded the 'max' for a hand gun. I was sure the load was safe, but wanted verification. So get on the computer and waste a few hours, instead of shooting the new gun. Many more powders are available today than back when. I did find information repeated on different sites that was usable. BUT, from here forward I will list the source of the load recipe. Maybe Handloader Magazine was a source. One load was listed as a "Ken Waters favorite", My load was lighter. I'm glad I still have reloading manuals that go back to the mid 1960s. I always note on the powder container purchase date, price and source. Most of the powders today are different from back when. Much more information, powders, bullets and primers are available today. Even the reloading manuals are MAGNUMS. Reload responsibly, good records lead to enjoyable fun and tite groups.

 

[ssv1761982]

At least you know you are safe because you weren't ever pushing the limits.
I have some loads that I marked 'generically' in the past. I may not know exactly what the load is but they are safe for plinking.

 

[K22]

I have always labeled my reloads so I do know I have much to offer you regarding advice. Also, my reloads do not sit around for more than a couple of years, if that, before being consumed.

If you used "published data" from a recognized source meaning lab tested data, e.g., Speer, Sierra, Lyman, Hornady, etc. then I would not be concerned IF you properly produced the reloads.

However, I would very caution using so and so's "favorite loads". Even though Ken Waters was a recognize authority. But that just me, I very risk adverse when it comes to reloading. I never used someone else's reloads and always used published reloading data.