Stuck bullet in barrel

[mrerick]

I regularly teach the NRA reloading class (in fact, have one coming up in a week).

Everyone can have a spat of inattention or something interfere with the process and sequence of reloading. That's when it's important to be hyper-aware of the possibility of mistakes.

When I have one of those situations, I get out the bullet puller and back things up, unloading rounds, until I'm back where I'm sure things were right. Sometimes an entire session of necessary.

I also reload when wearing eye protection and something to protect my face. Primer accidents do happen.

While you can save a little money reloading rounds (for example a 115gn 9mm FMJ projectile is about 8 cents now; primer and powder 3 cents. So it costs about 11 cents a round to reload cases you already own. Best prices I've seen recently for brass ball ammo is about 20 to 21 cents a round. Casting recycled lead alloy can drop prices even more, but this is becoming more difficult as garages turn to zinc and iron tire weights. I have a few hundred pounds of lead alloy saved up from years ago when it was more plentiful.

You don't save that much money, especially when you consider the cost of the reloading equipment, and your time. If this is the only reason you want to reload, I would not consider it.

But - you do get control and with control the ability to do precision reloading. You can adjust the power level and OAL for precise performance. If this is your goal (and particularly when it comes to high power rifle reloading) it's something to consider.

There is a satisfaction to shooting what you make. There is also the consideration of a catastrophe (either social or physical) that would leave us only the choice of making our own ammunition.

So... best sit up straight, pay attention and enjoy!