10 Most Common Mistakes When Reloading

There is an old saying that goes like this, “Do not ever shoot ammo reloaded by anybody but yourself.” This saying has saved many lives because it tells us not to fire those firearms reloaded by someone else. People with poor reloading habits have no safety guarantees. Many newer firearms nowadays are very strong, allowing small reloading mistakes to go undetected. 

Here are some of the most common issues that make reloading hazardous. If you avoid these, you and your appendages will survive many years by shooting your favorite reloads. You can also check out how to reload ammo.

Cracked Cases

Very small or micro-sized cracks around the shoulder, neck, or base of a cartridge case can easily go unnoticed. It lets the gasses escape when fired and can cause rupture completely. This will leave brass in the chamber and can blow superheated gasses rearward. Also, propel case fragments can come through the action. 

So before reloading, examine every case with your fingers carefully and look for cracks. If bright rings in the base of the case have 0.4 to 0.6 inches up from the rim can indicate potential case separation. 

Case Dented by Sizing Lube

Using too much sizing lube can cause divots in cases, especially in bottlenecked rifle cases. Many reloading dies are made with a tiny vent hole to help the excessive lube escape, but those holes have limitations. When excessive lube is applied, sizing becomes very easy, but the excess lube can build up in the case shoulder area. Lube has hydraulic properties, and they can not be compressed. So the buildups will make dents in the malleable brass cases. 

Firing those overfilled dented cases can swage the divots out, and also, the divots can decrease case capacity. Also, divots can cause fatigue by overworking the brass, leading to splitting or cracking.

Excessive Powder Charge

This mistake is one of the scary ones that everyone tries to avoid. Although the magnum rifle cases have the least risk since they utilize slow-burning propellants, handgun cartridges are often double charged. Before seating bullets in cases, use a flashlight to scan for any excessive powder levels. 

If you load with the progressive press, consider buying a powder level check system and installing it. Incorrect powder types, such as a pistol or shotgun powder being used to charge rifle cases, are terrible circumstances. This will result in a forensically disassembled rifle and can cause serious injury. Just differentiate the powder types and have only one canister on the loading bench when you are doing a loading project; this will stop you from putting in excessive gunpowder in the case.

Inadequate Primer Seating

It is a mistake if primers are not fully seated, which can lock up actions. The protruding portion of the primer can be very sensitive to impact, more often in semi-automatic firearms that can ram fresh cartridges toward the chamber. Keep the primer pockets clean of fouling buildup, and make sure to seat primers fully into their pockets.

All primers should be seated just a few thousandths deeper than the case head. Hand tools can be a good and easy way to get this done. Close attention to the priming systems is a must-do as it will keep them functioning properly. To be more specific, ensure that there are no unsecured powder particles or other debris that find their way to the primer ram, denting primers and disturbing with clean seating.

Reckless Primer Seating

Do not be aggressive when you are seating primers. As said earlier, it is very important to have the primers seated fully below the surface of the case head. Ramming the primers firmly into the pocket can cause problems. Anvil can start to crush the priming compound prematurely. So have your concerns turned on when seating primers and to try not to crush them. 

Untrimmed Cases

Trimming cartridge cases is a lazy job, but it is necessary to avoid badly trimmed cases. Using untrimmed cases is one of the most unavoidable mistakes. Semi-auto rifles have more case stretch than any other type of firearm, and they need a good trimmed case for their bullet. Or else it will malfunction. So trim the cases to save yourself from any pain in the future.

Bullets Seated Too Far Out

Accuracy shooters often intentionally engrave the bullet seating ahead of the chamber. We know that many rifles shoot best when they have their matching weapon. Beware of loading in hunting projectiles to engrave on the rifling. When shooting a long rifle, there is a risk that the loaded cartridge might get stuck, and the case will come out pulled off, removing all of the gunpowder. So, do not let the bullets be seated too far out.

Bullets Shaved by Case Mouths

The 90-degree inner edge of the cartridge mouth shaves small curls of copper from the bullet’s jacket as it enters the case when rifle rounds are placed into unfired casings. This will potentially mess up the accuracy of that bullet! So, create a point of chamfering the inside of new rifle cartridge case mouths using a low-drag case chamfer tool.

Excessive Crimping

A better crimp doesn’t let the bullet move. However, in handguns, reloaders often put excessive crimping. This is no good; just crimp right enough. There is no need for you to alter the case neck and make the bullet out of its shape.

Inadequate Crimping

Doing not enough crimping is also a mistake in reloading. Some cartridges can give you the real pain, especially the magnum revolver cartridges and straight-walled cartridges of lever-action rifles. Just make sure to crimp the bullets with the perfect amount, not high or less.

The Last Words

Reloading is very important for a firearm to work properly. With reloading mistakes, the gunner will face the consequences; sometimes, they can even face serious injuries! So, avoid the mentioned reloading mistakes to have a good firing experience overall!