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The Reloaders Ten Commandments

Ccrider

Ccrider

Gold $$ Contributor
Reading another thread, @Forum Boss made reference to if he had ten forum boss commandments, “don't waste time and money on an erratic factory barrel” would be one of them, so I figured why not? What jewell do you guys feel merits making the top ten do’s or don’ts for reloaders, regardless of skill level, starting with, of course,
I. DON’T waste time and money on an erratic factory barrel.
 
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2. Don’t listen to the Forum Boss! Or any “expert”! Take ALL the knowledge you can find, get a general line of logic on the issue and test it yourself! Best way I know to gain experience!

Case in point: A cousin dropped of a .222 for load development. Factory Remington 700 with rusty barrel.I loaded a bunch of test rounds. Everything shot all over 2 inches except one load. That one shot into a 1/2”. I tested the load 5 times and it was consistent. Test, test, test!!!

Forum Boss: I'm not saying never trust any factory barrel. But the erratic ones can be a huge waste of time. With one factory barrel I spent over a year trying to develop a load -- tried many powders, many bullet types, multiple brass types, neck tensions etc. Recorded everything.

The I screwed on a new barrel, and the first measured group, 4 shots, was about 0.170" witnessed. I instantly realized I had wasted 10+ days at the range and $100s in components trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

I also believe that a really good barrel usually (but not always) shows its accuracy pretty early, so you don't have to spend 200 rds on load development. My last Brux 6BRA was shooting little ragged holes after 50 rounds.
 
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Another example:
I bought a Remington 223 5r. I worked on load development for five range trips. 50 test rounds per trip. Different bullets, different powders. On the fifth trip, the groups started from the usual 1” to 3/4” to 1/2”. “Something” had happened! A few more trips retesting bullets and they all shot better. A friend said the barrel was “broken in”. Hmmm. I have a load for that gun now. Consistent 1/2”. Some I get smaller!
If I hadn’t kept testing that gun, I never would have seen what a good shooter I have!
 
1. Never keep any powder on the reloading table that you are not using during the current reloading session and return unused powder to the original container when finished with that session.

2. Check each case that has been charged with powder to verify that it has been charged or in the case of pistol reloads using fast burning powders where a double charge can easily fit in the case - check each case to verify that there is no double charge.

3. Don't rush the reloading process or attempt it when you are tired or distracted.

4. Regularly inspect cases that have been repeatedly reloaded to verify that they are free of defects.

5. Check primer seating to verify that the primer is seated slightly below the top of the primer pocket - especially important for semi- autos.

6. Watch for pressure signs and at the first sign STOP and determine the cause.

7. Follow published data starting low and working up.

8. Keep precise records (data) on the reloaded cartridges, i.e. powder type / amount / lot number, primer used, bullet used, COL, number of times reloaded, number of times trimmed, etc.

9. Learn how to size cases properly and avoid over sizing that might create excessive case stretch and lead to head separation.

10. Periodically check the accuracy of the powder scale with check weights sold for this purpose.
 
I'm pretty young, only been loading 3 years, but being on a budget means you cut where you can.

But here is mine:

Everything we do is based on the precision and accuracy of our instruments... calipers, micrometers, chronographs, powder scales, etc.

Buy quality measuring equipment. Buy quality gage standards to verify or calibrate them.

Nothing worse than not having confidence in your calipers when setting up a seating die.
 
I'd encourage: don't throw the kitchen sink at it. Start with the bare minimum process and only add additional steps in once you've verified they have improved your results through testing, one thing at a time. Why bother weighing primers when your ES is 100fps?
 
1) Safety-Safety-Safety

2) Always all the time, never assume nothing.

3) Measure it three times, if they don’t agree, find out why.

4) New doesn’t mean good

5) I haven’t been to a contest yet that gives awards for velocity, extreme spread, or standard deviation-Why chase it?

6) Believe the target!

7) The best made scopes can go bad, when in question check them.

8) A good mentor is priceless.

9) Test-Test-Test

10) Liquid courage is best reserved for when the loading is done.

CW
 
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