Author Topic: Maybe a "bad" habit? (Read 754 times)

bigjeepman · « **on:** July 12, 2004, 03:43:52 AM »

When I reload, I usually reload in lots of 20, 50, or 100 depending upon the caliber and my needs for ammo. In the past month, I have found myself doing different stages of my lots over longer periods of time ... for a week as an example. I tumble the brass, deprime and resize, trim if necessary, deburr/chamfer if necessary, and then prime the cases. It is after the "priming the cases" step is where I might choose to stop. Is it a problem to let primed cases sit in a reloading tray for an extended period of time? I didn't know for sure if this is unsafe or if primers can draw moisture from the air making them ineffective or less effective.

I try to always complete the reloading process when I start but I am finding it harder to do with all I have going on right now with work, etc. I have made a conscious effort to not stop at this point in the process but it seems unavoidable at times.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2004, 03:49:45 AM »

That should be just fine. Just a little tip, try leaving a note to yourself on a little slip of paper with the components indicating just what you did with that batch. Something like sized, needs priming, or something like that to keep from repeating things you have already done or proceeding and finding out you missed a step like sizing or trimming.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2004, 05:00:01 AM »

I left a batch of primed charged .250-3000 cases in a loading tray for 8-10 years and they worked fine when I got around to finishing them.

Gun Runner · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2004, 06:05:42 AM »

Like Thomas K, said, leave a note with your cases. I keep a small note pad on my loading bench just for this purpose, saves redoing cases that are already done.

Gun Runner

skb2706 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2004, 09:10:59 AM »

8 years ?..........mine maybe 1 year. I use a method in reloading so that I can virtually walk away from it and even several months later walk back into it and start right where I left off. I also keep good notes...........

New Hampshire · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2004, 12:10:25 PM »

I load .223 in large batches on a Lee progressive. In my "magic" set-up I size off this press and prime hundreds of cases in preperation. I put them in the little Ziploc/Tupperware style buckets all primed. I clip the Lot # off the back of the primer sleeve and tuck it on top so I know just in case. Works fine, no problems, Im very happy with it.
Brian M.

GrampaMike · « **Reply #6 on:** July 14, 2004, 03:57:05 AM »

I am new to reloading. I too never get to finish all steps in one sitting. I wrote up a "Check List" for each different cartridge that I load. When I start I print off the "Check List" and check off each step as I do it. When I come back a day, week later I know exactly where I was. I also write any notes unique to that cartridge as I learn them, and add to my updated "Check List" for the next time. I do this because I am new at this. Works for me. Mike.

Questor · « **Reply #7 on:** July 14, 2004, 04:07:00 AM »

GrampaMike: That's basically what I do. Typically, I size one day, prime the next, and then do bullets and powder in one sitting because it goes quickly.

Kragman71 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 15, 2004, 03:32:49 PM »

Granpa,
I'm not new at this,but I do the same as you do.
I prep my brass in stages,and tag them with little notes as to to stage that they are in. The last note on a batch of brass names the primer that is in the case.
Frank

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #9 on:** July 15, 2004, 06:38:28 PM »

Jeepman,
Good to hear from you again. I ,also, reload in batches and steps. I've never had any problems. I use the zip-lock bag method with notes. Seems like the older I get the better the notes need to be. :lol:
Later,
TnNuc

bigjeepman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2004, 03:59:18 AM »

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Lots of good stuff here and I will use some of these ideas to improve my loading methods. Up to this point, I have only used ziploc bags for just fired cases until I tumbled.

I keep a notepad at my bench that I have only used to identify loads in my ammo boxes. I will start keeping notes with cases identifying the last step completed in the process. I guess maybe I didn't think I needed to because I was under the false impression that my memory is what it always was.

TennesseeNuc ... good to hear from you too again. My son, oldest brother, his wife, and I were in Nashville on Saturday at Opry Mills. We have to do the Bass Pro Shops trip once or twice a year. Real nice people in Tennessee .... all are so friendly.