Golden Rules of Reloading

[M1Garand]

Couldn't find this posted. Never mix powders, even the same kind cause every batch is different.

[Mortis03]

When you feel a primer give resistance, either with a hand primer or a 550 upstroke, do NOT just keep pushing. Stop and see if there is a crimp or a bad pocket or something. Primers are loud....

[noylj]

1) Always start with the lowest starting load your various manuals show

2) Never load to pressures above SAAMI limits

3) Always inspect the charged case prior to bullet seating

4) Always VERIFY the powder you are actually using before loading

5) Do not smoke around black powder

6) Never assume your buddy's load will be safe in your gun

7) Learn how to determine the COL that is best for each bullet and your gun

8) Never forget that manuals only tell you what they got with their specific gun and components and your mileage will vary. See rule 1) above.

9) Never assume. Never be afraid to stop and pull rounds if there is any question that something may have happened.

10) Keep your gun's barrel or cylinder at the loading bench

11) Always create one or two inert "dummy" rounds for setting up the dies and verify the COL that will function in your gun

12) Always do a bullet set-back test. Many cases have excessively thin walls and these cases will not hold the bullet tight enough for safety.

13) A desire for consistency in everything may easily lead to a whole lot of consistently inaccurate rounds. Know what variables are important and concentrate on those.

14) If a given powder has less than 0.5gn range from starting to max load, select a different powder.

15) Powder is the least costly component per round. Use the powder that performs best for you in your gun and don't try to save money on an inexpensive but "touchy" powder. See 14) above.