Manual
54
5th COMMANDMENT
Use Proper Ammunition.
Every firearm is designed to use a certain caliber or gauge of ammunition. Using the wrong ammunition,
mixing ammunition or using improperly reloaded ammunition can cause serious personal injury or death. And
it only takes one cartridge or shotshell of the incorrect caliber or gauge, or which has been improperly reloaded,
to destroy your firearm. It’s your responsibility to make sure the ammunition you use exactly matches the
caliber or gauge of your gun. Refer to this instruction book to find out the specific requirements of your firearm.
Always read and heed the instructions on ammunition boxes.
Confusing shells or cartridges can cause serious personal injury or death and destroy your firearm. Examine
your shells or cartridges closely and use only the precise caliber or gauge for your specific firearm.
For example, suppose you accidentally loaded a 20 ga. shell into a 12 ga. shotgun. Because the 20 ga. shell is
too small for the chamber, the 20 ga. shell could travel down the barrel and get lodged in the bore. If you then
loaded a standard 12 ga. shell behind it and fired, the 12 ga. shot will slam into the lodged 20 ga. shell and may
cause the barrel to explode right in your hand. This is commonly called a 12/20 burst, and it can kill you.
Check all ammunition before you load it to make sure it matches your gun’s requirements. Every Remington
®
cartridge and shell is head-stamped with its caliber or gauge for easy identification. Likewise, you’ll find the
caliber or gauge of your new Remington firearm imprinted on the barrel.
Reloading Requires Extra Diligence.
If you’re an ammunition reloader you are responsible for personally assuring that the loads and components of
your reloaded ammunition meet your gun’s factory-tested standards. Never use ammunition which has been
reloaded by someone else!
Many shooters handload as a hobby or to save money on commercial, factory-made ammunition. However,
it requires a thorough knowledge of reloading procedures and a deep respect for the explosive potential of
gunpowder.
Firearms are designed, manufactured and proof-tested to standards based on factory-loaded ammunition.
Handloaded or reloaded ammunition that deviates, either intentionally or accidentally, from load or component
recommendations can be very dangerous.
Reloaders must observe all possible safety precautions and practices related to the proper handling of
explosives. Whether you’re a seasoned reloader or just starting out, you should study the subject, watch
reloading demonstrations and talk to experienced reloaders.
The first rule of reloading is to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the components you’re using.
They’ll tell you to follow certain guidelines. Namely:
1. Don’t mix or substitute powders or primers.
2. Don’t use unknown or substandard components.
3. Use only suitable components that have been factory-tested by reputable ammunition, powder and
bullet manufacturers.
4. Always be sure to use the manufacturer’s recommended recipe when reloading.
Not following these guidelines could result in severe injury to yourself or severe damage to your firearm.
Dangerously high pressure and explosions can result from an overcharge of powder or other deviations from
established reloading guidelines. Be very careful. The process of reloading exposes you to environmentally
hazar
dous material. Lead, which is known to cause cancer and bir
th defects, is the most common substance
in bullets and shot. It is impor
tant to handle lead bullets and shot with extr
eme car
e. Work only in a well
ventilated area and always wash your hands after exposure and before eating. Never smoke while reloading.
Primers and powders ar
e also highly toxic and flammable. So after r
eloading be sure to clean up all materials
from your work area. Don’t leave primer or powder spills anywhere on the floor or bench top. Dispose of all
waste material in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.