Im scared of blowing myself up with reloads

[Choupique]

All,

I've reloaded and shot a pile of .45 colt ammo. Trail boss powder, lead bullets, ruger blackhawk revolver. No REAL danger as long as I can hear the powder shake in the case. I've got my first half dozen rifle reloads on the bench, and I'm scared to shoot them.

I want to make myself some safe accurate-enough rifle ammo. I dont care for maximum speed. I dont care for weaseling out that last 1/8" of group.

I've loaded them with an exact book starting load. 35 whelen, 225gr accubond, W748 powder, meticulously weighed powder charge, federal 210 primer, and nosler brass, OAL measured about 15 times with a starrett caliper. It will go through a CVA scout 2. I have a chronograph.

Yall help convince me to light one of these things off. Did yall have a little paranoia shooting your first home brew rifle round?

 

[kboatman107]

You’ve reloaded pistol and shot em why the hesitation with rifle rounds?

 

[Northpark]

Been hand loading for about 10 years. It’s not rocket science. Sounds like you did it the safe way by simply following published load data. Go shoot them and have fun with a very enjoyable hobby.

 

[Lawnboi]

Keep the pistol powder away from the rifle powder and shoot on

 

[Choupique]

You’ve reloaded pistol and shot em why the hesitation with rifle rounds?

Shit idk. I guess the pressures being so much higher and the rifle maybe not being grossly overbuilt like the blackhawk is? Not being a smartass, that's what bothers me.

I also worry a little about my first ones being out of a single shot and not being able to judge bolt lift as a pressure sign.

What I wonder is how is factory ammo universally safe in every rifle, but I read reloading forums and see reports of people getting high pressures with starting loads. Are factory loads below that? My book (a Lyman copy from a few years ago) says not to go below starting loads due to pressure spikes.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I’ll give it a go.

Typically there is about 8-10 grains difference between min and max book loads for rifles (it does vary a bit).

But at min you are good and have no worry. Most will reload close to max and exceed before they get pressure signs. Even then the guns typically hold together fine with some safety margin built in. They are strong if cared for.

I didn’t run it in quick load but I’m guessing at mil charge your pressure will be WAY less than max. Maybe only 75% or so if even that. Increase in small increments (whatever you are comfy with) until you figure it all out and build your confidence.

Don’t stress it. Many have been in your shoes and most are still alive.

Edit. Make sure your overall length matches the book too and the bolt closes normal or with only a little tension. You do crank up the pressure a bit more if the bullet is jammed into rifling. Even then at min load you’d likely be just fine.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

I got squeamish the first time I shot my CMP Garand. I wanted to rig a way to pull the trigger with a 50-foot long string. Finally sucked it up, shot it, and got used to shooting a rifle twice my age. Had to get past the emotion and depend on the intellect. you too: If you're sure you followed the recipe correctly, then it should be fine in the rifle.

 

[Choupique]

Tahoe1305, thanks bud. That makes me feel better. I'm an engineer by trade and I probably sign off on a dozen things in a day that are many orders of magnitude more dangerous than lighting off one of these reloads.​

I'll pop one off on Saturday morning. If yall don't hear from the new guy coonass on Sunday, I blew myself up.

I do have a 338 win mag that has proven to be a great shooter and likes to be stretched out, and an M1 garand that I would love to shoot more but hate paying to feed it. Haven't worked up the nuts to make a load for either one yet. I've decided to start with the 35 because I only have 5 rounds left.

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm one of those guys that starts at max loads and works down, and I never worry about it. But that's me.

 

[kingfisher]

Check out panhandle precision on YouTube. Not too long, straight to the point.

 

[Choupique]

I'm one of those guys that starts at max loads and works down, and I never worry about it. But that's me.

I might end up there one day. I'd really like to use the method I read about on here of making a book max load, shooting it, reading the brass for pressure signs, and then going hunting. That sounds more my speed but ill do a good bit of "working up" before I ever attempt that.

Another thing I forgot to mention and what gave me some initial pause is that I got Gordon load development software and it lists the starting loads I made as dangerous!

 

[49ereric]

I use a federal 215mag primer they are recommended for 748.
If you get near a max load using 748 careful on hot days.
I load for deer season temps and don’t shoot it in the summer.
old school powder but still good to use today and forever
unless I live to be 140 plenty of it stored.

 

[*zap*]

It has happened...

 

[Harvey_NW]

Cross reference a couple different sets of load data and you'll easily be able to determine a safe load. As long as you're using an appropriate powder, for the most part published load data is stupid safe. My mentor starts at max load and ladder tests sometimes up to 5 grains above. Same dude fills 308 cases and crunches a projectile on top. There's a gas port in almost every action, if you're loading even slightly cautious the primer will spit and be a pressure relief before you actually blow an action up. Just load step by step and pay attention, you'll be fine.

 

[Rob5589]

It was a little intimidating firing my first reloads but you'll get over it after a couple rounds. Meticulous is the way to keep you out of trouble , don't sweat it.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

In my opinion, loading rifles is safer than pistols. You can't double charge that cartridge with that powder. The Nosler manual shows you at 89-96% of case capacity with a single listed powder charge. If you weigh each load, you will be fine. What I do is I either weigh the powder, put it in the case, and immediately seat the bullet, or if I'm doing a big batch, I pour the powder in the case, and set an upside down bullet in that case so I know it has been charged with powder until I am ready to seat the bullet.

I would recommend loading on a single stage press, or using your turret or progressive press as a single stage at first. Check and double check each stage in the process, and enjoy. You'll be fine.

 

[Drenalin]

PM me your address. I'll send you 200 rounds of once-fired .30-06 brass. You load them up (150 grain interlocks would be fine), and send them back to me. You'll have to provide the bullets and powder. If you don't hear back from me, you'll know not to shoot your home brew. But if I don't die, I'll let you know you're good to go!

 

[PRC_GUY]

Don’t smoke and drink a beer while reloading, there is nothing to scare and just enjoy reloading and shooting.

 

[ARK_Ginger]

I'm one of those guys that starts at max loads and works down, and I never worry about it. But that's me.

Same. I figure proof loads that are relatively common are in the range of 125% to 150% of max and reloading manuals keep things conservative as it is.

I will say though if I'm not 100% sure what a powder is (from leaving it in the hopper too long) I throw it out because loading with a pistol powder will ruin your day.

 

[Choupique]

Im going to shoot one tomorrow.

I think to give myself some extra confidence my shooting through the chronograph to verify it roughly matches the predicted velocities. I'm sure I'll find that it's so conservative that the bullet barely makes it out the barrel.

I've also heard that reloading rifle rounds is much safer than pistol rounds, especially stuff like .45 colt where you could basically triple charge a case of really fast powder.