Safety

Reloading can be a safe, effective and enjoyable hobby. You should always reload for the safest and most accurate loads on the shooting line. Always remember that to become or to continue to be a safe reloader, you must be careful at all times. Here you'll find helpful start-up information and guidelines for safe reloading practices.

Remember that you are dealing with explosive materials, powder and primers, that can explode or burn if misused; causing property damage, serious injury, even death. All information provided on this site should be confirmed with current, published, and tested data from the manufacturers of your reloading equipment and supplies. The following guidelines are offered as minimum guidelines to follow when reloading ammunition. These are not to be relied upon as providing an exhaustive list of all safety information. Always read and follow all manufacturer warnings and instructions.

YOU MUST OBSERVE THESE PRECAUTIONS AT ALL TIMES:

1. Observe all warnings about the use of maximum listed loads.
2. Do not substitute smokeless powder for black powder or for black powder substitutes.
3. Do not mix together any two powders, regardless of type, brand, style or source.
4. Never salvage powder from old cartridges and do not attempt to blend salvaged powder with new powder. Do not accumulate old powder stocks.
5. Smokeless powder is a highly flammable explosive material. Powder should always be stored and handled in such a way as to avoid impact, friction, heat, sparks, or flame.
6. Do not leave powder where children can get it.
7. Clean up any spilled powders using a brush and dustpan; never a vacuum cleaner.
8. Always wear safety glasses when reloading.
9. Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead, a substance known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling and before coming in contact with food, chewing materials, and smoking material.

WHEN STORING POWDERS:

1. Always store powder in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
2. Store in a cool, dry place.
3. Be sure the storage area selected is free from any possible sources of excess heat, including exposure to the sun's rays, and is isolated from open flame, furnaces, hot water heaters, etc.
4. Avoid storage in areas where mechanical or electrical equipment is in operation.
5. Restrict heat or sparks from the storage areas, which may result from improper, defective or overloaded electrical circuits.
6. Do not store smokeless powder in the same area with solvents, flammable gases or highly combustible materials.
7. Do not carry powder in clothing.
8. Do not transfer the powder from an approved container.
9. Do not smoke or use open flames in areas where powder is store or used. Place appropriate "No Smoking" signs in these areas.
10. Storage cabinets should be constructed of insulating materials and with weak wall seams or joints to provide an easy means of self-venting. Do not subject the storage cabinet to close confinement.
11. Do not keep old or salvaged powders. Check old powders for deterioration regularly.
12. Destroy deteriorated powders immediately.
13. Be sure a powder container is completely empty before discarding. Do not use the container to store other powders or materials, or for any other purpose.
14. Obey all laws and regulations regarding quantity and methods of storing. Do not store all your powders in one place. If you can, maintain separate storage locations. Many small containers are safer than one or more large containers.
15. Keep your storage and use area clean. Clean up spilled powder promptly. Make sure the surrounding area is free of trash or other readily combustible materials.
16. Store powder only in its original container. DO NOT REPACKAGE.
17. Read all data provided by SAAMI in the pamphlet entitled "Properties and Storage of Smokeless Powders," available at http://www.saami.org.

WHEN HANDLOADING AMMUNITION:

1. Understand what you are doing and why. Read handbooks and manuals on reloading. Talk to experienced reloaders. Write or call suppliers of components if you have questions or are in doubt.
2. Stay alert when reloading. Do not reload when distracted, fatigued, ill, or under the influence of medications or alcohol.
3. Establish a loading procedure and follow it. Do not vary your sequence of operations or take shortcuts.
4. Guard against multiple charges when reloading.
5. Pour out only the amount of powder needed for immediate work.
6. Check the powder measure each time it is used. Make sure the settings have not been accidentally changed. Check-weigh "thrown charges" frequently.
7. Keep complete records of reloads. Apply a descriptive label to each box showing the date produced, and the primer, powder and bullet used.
8. Examine empty cases (shotshell or metallic) to be sure they are in good condition before reloading. Never force live cartridges into or out of the chamber of a gun.
9. Do not use cases that are designed for primer-propelled practice cartridges; such cases may not be designed for full power loads.
10. Do not ream out or enlarge flash holes of metallic cartridge cases. This may change the ignition rate and result in dangerous pressures.
11. Do not punch out live primers. Fire the empty primed shells in a gun.
12. Do not mix primers. Primers differ in brisance of ignition, which affects pressure and velocity. Use only the primer listed.
13. Never seat bullets shorter than manufacturer's recommended overall length.
14. One-piece plastic wads for shotshells vary compressibility and gas-sealing effectiveness. Use only the wad listed.
15. If you "throw," or measure powder charges by volume, check-weigh the charge frequently. Do not mix powders.
16. Do not use powders near a flame, spark-producing machinery, or heating device. Do not expose powders to temperatures above 100°F.
17. Keep all reloading equipment and supplies out of the reach of children.
18. Do not smoke while reloading.
19. Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead, a substance known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling and before coming in contact with food, chewing materials, and smoking material.
20. Use extra care with primer tubes. Handle loaded tubes with care; a dropped tube can explode. Do not store primers in primer tubes between sessions. Check monthly for build-up of residue inside the tubes and, if detected, clean the tube under water with a narrow bottle brush if needed. Dry washed tubes thoroughly before returning them to service. Never apply oil to any primer tube; this will accelerate build-up of residue. Never apply force to remove primers from tubes.
21. Never attempt to use a damaged primer tube, or one that is not intended for your make and model of reloading press/priming apparatus. Tube fit in the tool is important to safe loading; make certain you have the right tube matched with the right tool. When filling tubes, never use excessive pressure. If unusual force is detected, cease loading immediately and correct the problem before proceeding.

FIREARM SAFETY

The following 10 rules for firearm safety are passed along from shooter to shooter and keep us all safe in the field. Please join us in passing this tradition along.

1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
2. Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.
3. Don't rely on your gun's "Safety."
4. Be sure of your target and what's beyond it.
5. Use correct ammunition.
6. If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care!
7. Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
8. Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.
9. Don't alter or modify your gun, and have guns serviced regularly.
10. Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.