Reloading mistakes and lessons learned

[MislMan]

Once went to the gun room to handload. Started drinking beer. I forgot to Size, Clean, Prime, Charge and Seat the bullets. Forgot why I even went out there.

Probably went out there just to smell the “Roses”. Hoppes, etc.

 

[Tangent]

Don't check your primers are seated correctly with cold hands. I wondered why a round would chamber but I couldn't fully close the bolt. Took it home and tried it in my case gauge and it was within SAAMI spec. Wondered if I had short stroked the sizing then noticed the primer was slightly proud, so obvious but so easily missed!

 

[47WillysGuy]

Don't check your primers are seated correctly with cold hands. I wondered why a round would chamber but I couldn't fully close the bolt. Took it home and tried it in my case gauge and it was within SAAMI spec. Wondered if I had short stroked the sizing then noticed the primer was slightly proud, so obvious but so easily missed!

I use a dial indicator and check 10 of 60 score loads. I want a consistent squeeze on the primers. Primers are seated by feel and generally all have 0.003 to 0.004 inches of crush.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Unless loose in the pocket what I FEEL is the cup to pocket interference fit.
I clean and uniform pocket bottom as I get some head crush with the 22 Nosler and stiff loads.

I seat until I FEEL the cup bottom out using my press. The mushy feel of the cup sliding into the pocket sort of hides the bottom feel, so I lift, rotate a little and hit it again with better FEEL for the cup hard against the bottom.