Reloading Safety Reminder

[badmoon692008]

This isn't Grendel specific, but figured it was worth a reminder... Had a buddy blow up a gun (handgun) last Thursday, still not sure of the cause, but most likely some issue with reloaded ammo... ended up having a chunk of metal from the gun embed into his eye and he needed surgery to remove it... His outlook looks good, and shouldn't lose any vision, but if he'd been wearing safety glasses he would have walked away with nothing but a broken gun...

I know I've been guilty of not always wearing glasses, but it's a small thing that can save you a world of problems... I know I'll be more mindful about it in the future... stay safe out there!

[montana]

It only takes one time to experience or witness a close call to make a believer out of safety glasses. I almost lost an eye dissembling my STI when the recoil spring and guide rod hit my eye brow sending me to the ER for stitches. A half inch lower and I would have lost my right eye. I have witnessed many handgun kabooms from bad reloads and old brass in Practical shooting and lead splatter when shooting steel. A bad day could have turned into a tragedy if the competitors had not been wearing safety glasses. Good reminder to everyone to use safety glasses.

[wraith1516]

Eye patches look cool though

[LR1955]

This isn't Grendel specific, but figured it was worth a reminder... Had a buddy blow up a gun (handgun) last Thursday, still not sure of the cause, but most likely some issue with reloaded ammo... ended up having a chunk of metal from the gun embed into his eye and he needed surgery to remove it... His outlook looks good, and shouldn't lose any vision, but if he'd been wearing safety glasses he would have walked away with nothing but a broken gun...

I know I've been guilty of not always wearing glasses, but it's a small thing that can save you a world of problems... I know I'll be more mindful about it in the future... stay safe out there!

Tough accident and I hope the fellow recovers well.

One thing about pistol that I follow religiously is to use a charge that fills more than half the case. Double charges then become very evident.

Can't remember exactly the load of Bullseye in the .38 Spl wadcutter loads that used to blow up revolvers. A light charge -- 3.5 grains of Bullseye? Excellent target load that some swore by and others swore was super dangerous.

Loading pistol is one arena where I will sacrifice potential accuracy for safety. All my pistol loads will fill more than half the case.

Also knew of a fellow who was tired and forgot that his measure was filled with 4198 instead of 4895 when loading some .308. Blew up a rifle and injured himself in the process.

Got to really be wary when handloading. Totally focused, double check everything -- including the label on the powder container.

LR1955

[Wonk]

I have a picture of John Wayne sitting in front of my press with a quote from him that reminds me to stay vigilant.

LIFE IS TOUGH. IT'S TOUGHER IF YOU'RE STUPID.

[rabiddawg]

Here is another thing to be careful of.

My gunsmith recently inherited the contents of his father-in-law's storage shed. There were some containers of old powder that had no labels. He chose to pour it out on the ground but something set it off giving him severe burns on his hands. He suspects static.

I haven't seen him but i know he hasn't worked in a couple months and is wearing compression gloves on his hands.

[LRRPF52]

One of the BSA safety procedures for cleaning firearms includes wearing eye pro since spray lubricants and particles back-splashed from your toothbrush can fly in your eye.

Several years ago, I sectioned a Grendel case to see what the web area looked like after several reloads, which I took photos of. I thought it was a spent case, but after taking a Dremel tool to it in my vice, I soon learned that it was a primed case. Good thing I was wearing safety glasses.