reloading for friends

[badshooter]

I know this has been covered before, but I couldn't find anything.

I have a couple friends that want me to load them some accurate ammo for various rifles. I know I probably shouldn't for liability reasons, but was wondering what you guys do? I currently load for my family, which is less than 100rds a year, but I always test the gun myself over a chrony and look for the pressure signs, I also never exceed the max listed pressure even if things look okay.

The loads they want me to copy are the very expensive premium hunting ammo costing upwards of $40 a box.

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: reloading for friends

Don't. If you have the time invite them over to use your set up. Their powder, dies,
primers etc.. Something happens and a father of three looses his eyes you'll be sued, I don't care how good a friend he is, his family will come first in all but the
rarest of cases.

 

[Short Round]

Re: reloading for friends

Yup, I have to agree. If they haven't laid a hand in the process then you own the liability.

I had a mechanic at work wanting me to load up some weatherby loads for him because he didn't want to pay $80 a box. I offered to help him load them up if he bought the bullets and dies. He said he didn't have the time or interest to do so.

He did badger me for a month or so before I told him that the weatherby loads were way beyond what I could do for him in used brass. I told him about the liability I would incur and how I'd never approach the velocities he was getting with factory fresh ammo for liability reasons. That was finally enough....I'm sure it was downloading his precious weatherby speeds that shut him down and not so much the understanding of my liability concerns.

Maybe I exagerrated the Weatherby load issue and maybe I didn't, I don't have any Weatherby caliber experience and really didn't want to venture out on my own without the benefitter even caring to lift a finger.

 

[badshooter]

Re: reloading for friends

If they bought their own powder and bullets and used their own brass, would that be enough to keep me out of the liability problems? What if I get them to sign a liability waiver?

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: reloading for friends

a) I would encourage them to get their own reloading equiptment.
b) I would help them learn the process or reloading and record keeping
c) I would make myself available for conversations about reloading issues.
d) I might let them borrow some equiptment early in the game.

Otherwise, its not a liability I can afford to take on.

 

[Kyshooter]

Re: reloading for friends

As long as there is no money exchanged, does that get around the SOT/manufacturing legal concerns?

 

[willsnipe]

Re: reloading for friends

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: badshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If they bought their own powder and bullets and used their own brass, would that be enough to keep me out of the liability problems? What if I get them to sign a liability waiver? </div></div>

Many courts won't recognize a liability waiver. That's particularly true if you were to profit from said reloading. That turns it into a commercial enterprise for which you need a federal license. From the court's perspective, you would be commiting a felony resulting in harm to another. Very bad juju!

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: reloading for friends

If you get any consideration for it batf considers it being paid, as does the irs.
It's just not a place you need to go.

 

[Graham]

Re: reloading for friends

Guys,

Not legal advice, but seriously, folks, think for a minute:

1. Someone else helping you does not absolve you from the exercise of due care.

2. You probably can't waive your own negligence.

3. What would change if someone else bought the components?

4. Just because you didn't sell the reloads doesn't mean you didn't manufacture them.

5. Under what set of rules is a formal written waiver valid if you benefit, but not valid if you don't?

6. I've heard of Felony Murder, but there is no felony harm rule.

The post asked what we do, not what we think he should do.

I don't reload for other people. Other people occasionally shoot my reloads, in my rifle, with me there.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Re: reloading for friends

DON'T DO IT !!
Make'em learn for them themownselves. That MIGHT just CYA, and will show them just how much work good ammo really is.
Respectfully,
LG

 

[Shady_Jay]

Re: reloading for friends

I have a 5 page long waiver when guys take my reloading class. Initials and witnesses all the way through it. But I don't make their rounds either. They do. I would just offer to teach them if I were you. Rent out your reloading room for beer too. I do that on occasion. But not the Prometheus. The Prometheus is MINE!

 

[Brain]

Re: reloading for friends

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But not the Prometheus. The Prometheus is MINE! </div></div>

Selfish bastard.

I've been asked to load by a number of people. I refuse to do it more out of legal liability with regulatory agencies than with safety issues. Were I licensed to do so, I would be more than happy to do it.

 

[FootSoldier]

Re: reloading for friends

Damn Prometheus hoarder!

 

[chris112]

Re: reloading for friends

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body">a) I would encourage them to get their own reloading equiptment.
b) I would help them learn the process or reloading and record keeping
c) I would make myself available for conversations about reloading issues.
d) I might let them borrow some equiptment early in the game.

Otherwise, its not a liability I can afford to take on. </div></div>

Bingo. Probably the best reply to this entire thread. I keep meaning to go down to Jack First and take a few pictures of some rifles that were damaged because of reloading mistakes. Scare the h*** out of you.

 

[mgd45]

Re: reloading for friends

I've been doing it for years.....never been a problem. They asked me first, I never offered or asked them. I've only done this for maybe 3 of my best shooting buddies.....then they got into reloading, so it didn't matter anymore.