Handloaders who have been doing this for many years tend to get a tad complacent in their loading process. While I have not experienced any issues yet, today was a solid reminder that the hand loading process needs to be followed to the letter.
While loading 38-55 cases held in a RCBS loading tray, with 24 grains Buffalo Rifle powder, one of the cases tipped and the powder spilled out of the case a little bit. I set the tray down, got the tipped case and dumped the powder back into the RCBS Uniflow powder dispenser. I recharged the case while holding it in the mouth of the drop tube and set it back into the loading tray. Something caught my eye about the previous 20 cases I had charged.
The powder content of the charged cases was visually different. Some had about 12gr of powder while others had about 36gr of powder. My drop tube was causing powder bridging and had I not inspected the cases before seating a bullet, the range report may contain interesting commentary about a hospital visit.
ALWAYS inspect your cases after charging them. Follow the loading process no matter how many years experience you have or how many cartridges you have loaded.
Tragedy averted.
With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.