First, I want to thank Daemon Assassin for his various informational posts on reloading., 2nd, thanks to trickg, 4g64loser and others who have taken time to pow wow with me about reloading.
I began my venture in reloading maybe 10+ years ago before a friend of mine passed away. He was showing me the ropes on setting up and running a few batches of .270 in my new Hornady Lock N Load single stage press. Once we got some good rounds loaded, we test fired them in my 1950's Model 70 .270. Using his Chrony, we could verify the data in the reloading manual for the powder we used.
Over the years since I got my reloader, I have only loaded that one time. BUT, I began to acquire components and now have joined the general population who has SOME inventory, but not enough or all that is needed to make a go of it. Without acquiring some missing items such as primers in the right spec and quantity, it is hard to make headway on stocking up on fully loaded rounds.
SO, this brings me to why I am writing this thread.
1. How long is the shelf life on Powder?
2. How should powder and primers be stored
3. How to verify if powder is still good
4. What to do with powder that has gone bad or is suspect/ of unknown make/model etc.
5. Legal amount of Powder
6. Get as many and the best manuals
7. Keep detailed ledger records of loads
8. Concentrate, no distraction, remember the dangers.
9. Chronograph loads to confirm data to ensure safe pressures.
10. When in doubt, stop and check specs, measurements, visual and mechanical function of the equipment, components and finished rounds.
11. Learn and practice the ins and outs of case prep, trimming, crimping, head space checks etc.
Here is one link and videos I thought was pretty good.
I began my venture in reloading maybe 10+ years ago before a friend of mine passed away. He was showing me the ropes on setting up and running a few batches of .270 in my new Hornady Lock N Load single stage press. Once we got some good rounds loaded, we test fired them in my 1950's Model 70 .270. Using his Chrony, we could verify the data in the reloading manual for the powder we used.
Over the years since I got my reloader, I have only loaded that one time. BUT, I began to acquire components and now have joined the general population who has SOME inventory, but not enough or all that is needed to make a go of it. Without acquiring some missing items such as primers in the right spec and quantity, it is hard to make headway on stocking up on fully loaded rounds.
SO, this brings me to why I am writing this thread.
1. How long is the shelf life on Powder?
2. How should powder and primers be stored
3. How to verify if powder is still good
4. What to do with powder that has gone bad or is suspect/ of unknown make/model etc.
5. Legal amount of Powder
6. Get as many and the best manuals
7. Keep detailed ledger records of loads
8. Concentrate, no distraction, remember the dangers.
9. Chronograph loads to confirm data to ensure safe pressures.
10. When in doubt, stop and check specs, measurements, visual and mechanical function of the equipment, components and finished rounds.
11. Learn and practice the ins and outs of case prep, trimming, crimping, head space checks etc.
Here is one link and videos I thought was pretty good.
How to Determine Gunpowder Shelf Life - RifleShooter
You can check powders by giving them the sniff test, and in some cases a visual inspection of the
www.rifleshootermag.com
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