Common Mistakes When Reloading Firearms-Part Three

In our previous article, we have talked about some common mistakes in reloading your firearms. This article will introduce you to the last few mistakes.

1. Bullets Seated Too Far Out

Precision rifle shooters tend to like seating uber-accurate match projectiles too long, intentionally causing them to engrave into the rifling ahead of the chamber. Undoubtedly, many rifles shoot their best with match bullets seated thus, and the practice is arguably fine for use in precise shooting and competitive work. But beware of loading hunting projectiles to engrave on the rifling. Many long-range hunter types shoot soft, match-type bullets on big game, and they seat their hand-loaded bullets to engrave. When the hunter goes to remove a loaded cartridge from the chamber, there's a significant risk that the bullet will stick in the rifling and the case will pull off of it, spilling powder in the chamber and all through the action.

2. Bullets Shaved by Case Mouths

More often than not, when you seat rifle bullets into new, unfired cases and often when seating in once-fired factory cases, the crisp 90-degree inner edge of the cartridge mouth will shave fine curls of copper from the bullet's jacket as it enters, potentially interfering with the accuracy. You can make a point of chamfering the inside of new rifle cartridge case mouths with a low-drag case chamfer tool chamfer reamer.

3. Excessive Crimping

Where necessary, a good crimp secures the bullet against movement. However, especially in handgun cases, reloaders sometimes apply too much of a good thing, which may lead to bulges in the case mouth just below the crimp area, creating a cartridge that will most likely fail to chamber. This is particularly likely to happen when reloaders attempt to seat and crimp the bullet in one operation. So it's far better to seat all the bullets first and then crimp as a final, separate action, and crimp just enough. There's no need to distort the case neck and squeeze the bullet out of shape.

It may be easier for some people who are skilled in the operation of firearms, but for many people, the operation of firearms is a very dangerous thing. Therefore, it is also very important to understand some knowledge about reloading and to be able to operate firearms more safely.