I don't really need them right now but it rained all day so I decided to load some 17Rem stuff this afternoon.

Well....I ran my thumb into a table saw a couple months ago and while it's heeled up pretty much I seem to have cut some nerves because the palm (for the lack of a better word) of my thumb is now numb which makes fingering those little 25gr pills extremely difficult.

I swear....it's always something.

Maybe it's a good time to load some .458's?

Probably but the problem with that is 223 is the biggest cartridge that I reload for.

It's not impossible and I'm sure I'll adapt but having to fumble around with almost every bullet is down right frustrating.

Oh well...at least I still have a thumb.

i've seen several table saw accidents, and have drawn blood on mine. not seriously, though.

that sucks

Use your other hand.

Use some small, long nose pliers.

Bruce

Use the other hand?

^^^ Damn,

He beat me too it.

Easier said than done when you've been doing the same motions for over 40yrs.

Like I said "I'll adapt but it sure slows things down"

Note to self, sell the table saw before I have an accident too.

It's funny how we all do things differently. Bullets are on left side of press, cases on the right. Cases are picked up with right hand, bullets with left. By the moment the bullet is placed in the case mouth I'm already working the handle with my right.

Though it would be the other way around if I was left handed.

I had surgery on my thumb several years ago, and was trying to reload some while I was off from work. I could do okay at it, the exception being placing the primers in the case. Got one of the granddaughters to come and do that for me, and was good to go then.

Go see an orthopedic or plastic surgeon and get the nerve spliced back together. I cut a nerve in my left index finger and it slowly grew back together by itself. When the feeling came back but it was painful for a long time. If I picked up something it felt like someone was squeezing by finger with a pair of pliers, it's slowly gotten less painful.

https://www.pjtool.com/5-hemostat-c...F2cix1gIVHbbACh2BagX3EAQYASABEgKNx_D_BwE

I need to sell mine too. SOB's are dangerous.

A dab of case lube on the dead part of your thumb will help grasping the little bastards.

I cut my right thumb down to the bone on a piece of sheet metal 30 years and the side of the pad on mine has been numb ever since. It also produces some wicked pain if pressure is applied in the right spot, I guess over the severed nerve.

Yea......the problem with all the "use the other hand" advice is that on every press I've owned the lever is on the right so holding the bullet with the right hand while reaching across to operate the lever is no only not practical, I'm not even sure it can be done.
But then....I can't be sure those offering that wisdom have ever reloaded either.....

My thumbs are fine and I still cuss the little 17 bullets while loading.

You could always go 20 or 19.....

I've had a couple "wow, that was CLOSE" events with table saws and Skilsaws. Two were TOO close, as in "ping" and a little spritz of mist, I was already reacting to "wrong" -- I have a couple of numb spots that are smooth white scars exactly one blade-width apart.
Gulp.
It takes SO little. Really.

And the most dangerous time is when you've been away from the toys for a while and your "feel" isn't quite there. That's when I really have to concentrate on the danger zone, until the little defensive moves one makes become true second nature again.

Get JamesJr's granddaughter to help you. Next problem, please.

Yeah, they cause work, time better spent in reloading, hunting and other such activities.

Most of the feeling is back in my finger tips from frost-biting them several years ago, but still very sensitive to cold- they go numb more easily than from ever before.

Have you guys seen these? Pretty neat technology, I know at least one guy that still has all his digits because of this saw.

http://www.sawstop.com/

I was loading 17 Fireball for an elderly friend...

Those little bullets were a pain to pick up...

however, being in the medical corps in the Army...

a pair of forecepts worked just fine...

for the Jeff O's etc al on the campfire, that would be roach clips to you guys...