Reloading Safety Advice

Safety Advice for Reloading

Before you embark on this new and exciting hobby, we need to take a moment to talk about some of the safety elements. Being focused on safety should come naturally to the experienced shooter as we are constantly reviewing the four basic rules of firearm safety:

1. Treat every firearm as if it is always loaded. 
2. Do not point the muzzle at anything you do not want to harm/destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. 
4. Be certain of your target and what is beyond. 

The consequences of breaking any one of these rules can result in the loss of life or limb. The same consequences can be had in reloading; an improperly loaded cartridge can destroy a rifle with enough energy to badly maim or kill the shooter and/or innocent bystanders. For this reason, we must observe these safety rules with the same rigorous discipline. The following rules are not published in any order but are all equally important:

1. YOU are responsible for the safety of the loads you produce. DO NOT shoot other people’s handloads, DO NOT handload for other people. 
2. Only use reload data from reputable sources, such as published reloading manuals or data published from bullet and powder manufacturers which are often published online. DO NOT use data published in internet forums, blogs, or rely on information provided by a friend or fellow shooter. 
3. Always start at the minimum (Start) load and work the load up to the desired velocity while staying below the maximum load. DO NOT exceed the maximum load or drop below the starting load. 
4. If you change the components, I.E a new brand or type of primer, YOU MUST rework the load starting at the minimum load and working up to the desired velocity while staying within the maximum load. 
5. Only store powders and primers in their original factory packaging. DO NOT use a powder or primer that is unknown, or if you doubt its origin. 
6. Loading tables will have a recommended Cartridge Overall Length (COAL). DO NOT seat the bullet deeper than the minimum recommended seating depth. Changes in COAL may affect pressure and velocity, significant changes require a new load workup. 
7. DO NOT reload where there are distractions such as a TV, children, pets or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Good handloaders develop routines, and when a routine is interrupted mistakes are made which may lead to an unsafe load. 
8. DO NOT smoke or allow open flame around areas which reloading activities take place or where powders and primers are stored. 
9. BEWARE of loads that may allow you to inadvertently double charge a case. Take special precautions to prevent double or triple charging a case. Reload in a CLEAN AND ORGANIZED manner. Messy or chaotic workbenches increase the opportunity for mistakes