Reloading -- is it safe?

[FieldsofFire]

I just started handloading and I cannot emphasize this enough - it is plenty safe as long as you follow ALL directions/precautions and use good load data. If something is advised against, there is probably good reason for it; listen to the warning.

And when he first starts, make sure he TAKES HIS TIME. Rushing is the worst thing a beginner can do, IMO.

[Harley Quinn]

Safe is, as safe does.

Regards

[CSACANNONEER]

I don't think I can add anything about how safe reloading is if done properly. Your husband is obviously lucky to have you. At least you are willing to research your concerns instead of just acting on your emotions and or feeling that it can't be safe. In my limited experience, I've had two different rounds of ammo fail to the point where I could have suffered permanent phyisical damage. Both were FACTORY rounds. One was Elley left over from our '84 USA Olympic Team. So, even the best ammo can fail. I've never had a major problem with my home rolled rounds though.

[bohoki]

reloading is really safe

now firing the reloads that is another story

[tamalpias]

reloading is really safe

now firing the reloads that is another story

[Ghillie-man]

dont smoke or have an open flame near the powder or primers
dont drink when reloading
dont be tired when reloading


if you messed up when reloading and didnt catch it when doing it, you will find out at the range.



READ THE RELOADING MANUAL, ALL OF THE INTRODUCTION AND EACH CALIBER YOUR GOING TO RELOAD FOR.

[natasha69]

Finally, get him to sign up for Calguns! There is a lot of good info here and plenty of subject matter experts. Tell him to ask all the questions he may wish while he is getting started.
-Jason

As the husband mentioned here, I just wanted to thank everyone who replied to my wife's post. Birthday is coming. Crossing fingers for some Dillon wrapping paper.

[Seesm]

I am new to reloading and I have done over 1000 rds now and no problems... Everyone I know is still alive and I am too!!

[chiengoraspinner]

Hi,
My husband sent me the link to your question and suggested I reply. We have been reloading for a number of years and have never had a mishap that caused an injury.
I have done some reloading but since my husband seems to enjoy it so much, he does most of it. I like to decap and load primer tubes.
I joke that he fills the cartridges and I empty them. I find that our hand loaded ammunition is much more consistent than most commercial ammunition and therefore, more accurate. If you shoot, you will quickly learn to appreciate well worked up loads for accuracy - it is an art.
(Our situation may differ in that I have been shooting for 50 years and I taught my husband to shoot.)
The short answer is: with care and proper attention to what one is doing, reloading is a lot safer than a lot of other activities he could be doing.
The suggestion not to disturb the reloader at critical times is a good one; it might be best that you at least learn the process so that you know what is going on.
All the best,
cs

[chiengoraspinner]

I see by his post that your husband is hoping for a package from Dillon for his birthday. I think that is a good idea.
We have Dillon equipment and are very pleased with it and the company; we have had excellent customer service from them. (Nobody paid me to say any of this.)
Cheers,
cs

[J-cat]

My husband is thinking of making reloading his new hobby. I am concerned that having combustible white gun powder at home will be dangerous. I am also concerned about him reloading and then having those reloaded bullets go off when he doesn't expect it, or for a casing to crack and get stuck.

Mostly, I would like for his hands to not be blown off and I would like him to be intact after he has gotten tired of this hobby....are my fears rational? Can someone explain the risks to me, so that I don't sound like an emotional freak when discussing this with him?

(As background, my husband grew up with guns in his family, is well-versed on gun safety and has actually built his own rifles. He is very responsible when it comes to safety and is very attentive of the materials he handles. I am mostly concerned about the "unknown" or "uncontrollable" factors of gun powder, primers, and re-using materials when reloading. He also has a degree in chemical engineering, so he knows what can go boom.)

Thanks in advance for helping me to understand the real risks here

None of the concerns you cite are founded.

Smokeless powder is not an explosive. It burns, just like gasoline.

Reloaded ammo does not spontaneously blow up. Neither does factory ammo. Reloaded ammo, if done right, is far better than factory ammo because you know what you put in it.

I suggest you research the rate of fatal injuries of other sports. You'll be surprised how safe shooting and reloading is.

[M47_Dragon]

Everyone has given great advice here. I would like to just reiterate a couple of things:

NO DISTRACTIONS! No watching TV while reloading. No kids running into the room every few minutes asking daddy what he is doing, etc.

NO DRINKING! Not while reloading. Just common sense. If he is a beer drinker and really wants to toss a couple back while reloading, try O'Doul's. It really isn't half-bad.

READ READ READ! Chemical engineer, eh? He is used to reading books. He needs to read books. More on that in a second.

Exceptions: If reloading in separate stages, certain things are okay. For instance, if one is just going to decap and resize (no gunpowder or primers involved) it is okay to do so with certain distractions. I will often plant myself in front of the tube and watch a football game while de-capping brass and resizing.

Once comfortable with the reloading process, I don't think having a radio on in the background is a bad thing. Quiet makes me crazy, so personally, I need it.

His birthday is coming up. A Dillon would be a great gift, but also get him The ABC's of Reloading. He should read that before he starts opens the box on the press. The load data manuals are necessary as well, but the book linked above is sort of the bible of reloading.

[5hundo]

Everyone has given great advice here. I would like to just reiterate a couple of things:

NO DISTRACTIONS! No watching TV while reloading. No kids running into the room every few minutes asking daddy what he is doing, etc.

I usually can Decap/size while watching TV with no issues. However, I tried to prime brass the other night while watching TV and messed it all up.

This is sound advice...

[bohoki]

[mif_slim]

NOT SAFE!

(that way its one person less to wait for reloading components which = Im one person less in line to get my share of components!)

jk.


Its safe and fun actually. I had my little nephew help me reload once. It was educational for him, but of course I didnt let him touch the lead, just sorting the brass. And even after that washed his hands for 1 min!