Well it finally happened......I destroyed a gun.
- Thread starter Colorado Cowboy
- Start date
The brass I use for hunting loads is all once fired.
After mentally going thru the steps I took loading and pulling a couple of bullets and looking and weighing the powder, I am pretty sure I know what happened.
I was out to the range working on new loads 2 weeks ago and had narrowed it down to 2 powders and a couple of loads in each one. I loaded 3 rounds each for groups of 4 different loads in both powders. The loads were increased by 1/2 grain for each different load/powder. 150 grain bullet and RL22 & IMR 4350 powders. RL22 is slower burning than 4350 and takes more powder. I violated one of my rules .....not having more than 1 powder out at a time for loading. I had both powders out and open! The 2 powders are a little different in size and consistancy. When I pulled a couple of the bullets, I saw that I had switched them. As a result the IMR 4350 was overloaded by about 10 grains over max recommended load. It was the first one I shot. Stupid is as stupid does!
After mentally going thru the steps I took loading and pulling a couple of bullets and looking and weighing the powder, I am pretty sure I know what happened.
I was out to the range working on new loads 2 weeks ago and had narrowed it down to 2 powders and a couple of loads in each one. I loaded 3 rounds each for groups of 4 different loads in both powders. The loads were increased by 1/2 grain for each different load/powder. 150 grain bullet and RL22 & IMR 4350 powders. RL22 is slower burning than 4350 and takes more powder. I violated one of my rules .....not having more than 1 powder out at a time for loading. I had both powders out and open! The 2 powders are a little different in size and consistancy. When I pulled a couple of the bullets, I saw that I had switched them. As a result the IMR 4350 was overloaded by about 10 grains over max recommended load. It was the first one I shot. Stupid is as stupid does!
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
Accidents happen in reloading. I always adhere to the one powder on the bench at a time rule. And I always double check each charge with a digital scale & my RCBS beam scale. And I visually inspect each loaded case before seating a bullet. So far, so good...knock on wood.
D_Dubya
Active Member
Good reason to wear safety glasses (which I seldom do). A few years ago my dad blew up a M700 .223, blew hot gasses and debris into his face, but he wears glasses so he didn’t have any eye issues. Same situation, he likely mixed up powders. Appreciate you sharing and good reminder for us reloaders to be disciplined about 1 powder on the bench at a time.
Slugz
Veteran member
Lots of great info/reminders/lesson learned here that we all know but get complacent at times with as we get older. ( me included as I need to wear glasses) Makes me think I need to do a back to basics reloading discussion with my son for my peace of mind.
Thanks CC for posting. I greatly appreciate it.
Thanks CC for posting. I greatly appreciate it.
mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
- 3,820
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I am sure glad you figured out what the problem was. I was pretty curious to find out what had happened.
Not knowing what the problem in fact was would be hard for me to cope with if that had been me.
Thanks for sharing this.
At least you have some closure and you are ok!
Not knowing what the problem in fact was would be hard for me to cope with if that had been me.
Thanks for sharing this.
At least you have some closure and you are ok!
dan maule
Very Active Member
Thanks for all the information CC! it’s really good of you to be so transparent, it will hopefully keep someone else (like me) from making similar mistakes. I think the only reason I haven’t done something like this yet is I only use RL22 for all my WBY loads. I could definitely see myself making the same mistake.
RICMIC
Veteran member
Nooooooooooo!!! If CC can make this mistake, then what risk are us other mortal souls at? Good to hear you're OK and figured out what happened. I don't reload much, but I learned something important from you sharing a mistake.
Bonecollector
Veteran member
I do the same thing. I'm almost paranoid when reloading. lol
I'm no expert, but do live everyday with OCD....
memtb
Active Member
You are fortunate......glad you weren’t seriously hurt. Shooting glasses/eye protection......priceless!
Many years ago I had a somewhat similar situation with the first round out of 20 freshly hand loaded .223 rounds......a load proven for several years. The rifle was not severely damaged, only the extractor to be released. The bolt had to be hammered open....the .223 Rem case had been transformed into a “belted” case!
. I went home, pulled the remaining 19 bullets, weighed each charge ( a double charge impossible, plus I do a visual prior to seating a bullet)....all well. The only thing that I can come up with is that I had a barrel obstruction ( had not cleaned since last outing) ....possibly an insect, such as a “dirt dauber”, had plugged my barrel! memtb
Many years ago I had a somewhat similar situation with the first round out of 20 freshly hand loaded .223 rounds......a load proven for several years. The rifle was not severely damaged, only the extractor to be released. The bolt had to be hammered open....the .223 Rem case had been transformed into a “belted” case!
. I went home, pulled the remaining 19 bullets, weighed each charge ( a double charge impossible, plus I do a visual prior to seating a bullet)....all well. The only thing that I can come up with is that I had a barrel obstruction ( had not cleaned since last outing) ....possibly an insect, such as a “dirt dauber”, had plugged my barrel! memtb
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CrimsonArrow
Very Active Member
badgerbob
Active Member
I'm just glad you are ok. I have a .41 Rem. Mag. and was shooting some reloads at the range. One gave me a heck of a bounce so I stopped. Before I figured out what was going on I ran across a flyer saying not to shoot Green Dot in the .41 mag because of possible pressure spikes. That is what I was shooting so I dumped it all and switched powder.. no problems since.. that would have been about 15 years ago... I was thinking you might have had a similar problem but it sounds like you have figured it out...
Late seeing this, but glad you are ok! Had a pump shotgun blow up on me once, its not a fun experience!