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Safety Guidelines for Reloading

Once you become proficient at reloading, you can crank out a flat of 250 shells (10 boxes of 25) or more in an hour -- depending on your machine.

Please adhere to these safety guidelines when reloading:

1. Stick to existing shotshell formulas as provided by manufacturers. Don’t change the formulas. If you find a specific formula is not working for you, move on to a different one.
2. Never try to experiment with a larger quantity of gunpowder than called for by the formula. Stick to the recommended bushing size for dispensing powder into the hull.
3. Please don’t smoke while reloading.
4. Don’t try to salvage a scrap shell for its components. You can either cut yourself with a sharp tool or accidentally ignite the primer. It’s just not worth the risk.
5. Carefully inspect hulls before reloading for tears, splits and singeing.
6. Avoid mixing hulls from different manufacturers. The volumes of the hulls could vary from brand to brand across the same gauge. Several directories are available for determining the right formula for each brand of hull.
7. Always keep your work area clean. This is important to both maintain quality shells and for keeping your reloading supplies clearly marked and organized to prevent dangerous mistakes.
8. Store your gunpowder in a cool, dry place.
9. Never mix different kinds of gunpowders. Each gunpowder has its own properties, which can be altered when diluted with a different type.
10. Always clean up spilled gunpowder with a brush. Vacuum cleaners are to be avoided, since the switch or cord can spark and ignite the powder.
11. Keep your primers in the original package. Dumping primers into a bigger container risks detonation.
12. Don’t argue with your reloading machine. If it won’t accept a primer, hull or other component, don’t force the press. Carefully investigate the source of the problem before continuing.
13. Don’t over-lubricate your reloading machine. Too much lubricant accumulates residues that make the machine difficult and hazardous to operate.
14. Pay attention! Your reloading machine can accidentally discharge too much powder or shot, putting the shooter at risk.
15. Don’t substitute lead shot materials. For example, if a formula calls for lead shot don’t substitute it with steel. Different types of shot exert different pressures in the hull -- posing potentially hazardous conditions.
16. Safety glasses are advised.
17. Don’t eat while reloading. Your hands and your workspace have accumulated lead and gunpowder residue that easily could find its way into your food.
18. Make sure the completed shell is properly sized.
19. Keep children away from your reloading area.
20. Always wash your hands after reloading.

When all is said and done about finding the right shotshell, perhaps the most important thing is this: be honest with yourself. If you continue to miss shots, switching around between different shells probably won’t make that much of a difference. Using the right shotshell will make you a more effective shooter, not necessarily a better one.

For safety’s sake, please don’t carry different gauge shells in the same pouch. In the heat of the moment, it could be easy to accidentally grab the wrong shell and drop into the breach. Also, be very careful about shooting reloads made by another person. Their quality could be dubious and you end up the one suffering.

Safety issues aside, perhaps the most important concern when it comes to shotshells is having a comfortable shooting experience. Heavy loads will kick and could cause bruising. You don’t need a macho load to break a target. You simply need the right shotshell.