The 500 dollar paperweight model 60

[1sgpierce]

I posted the pictures and the associated discussion in the general area so more people could see what happens when you change a single reloading component. Check out what a 500 dollar paperweight looks like. Purely due to my not following proper reloading practices.

The 500 dollar paperweight Model 60

[Skip Sackett]

Originally Posted by 1sgpierce

I posted the pictures and the associated discussion in the general area so more people could see what happens when you change a single reloading component. Check out what a 500 dollar paperweight looks like. Purely due to my not following proper reloading practices.

The 500 dollar paperweight Model 60

Your honesty is refreshing. I would like to know exactly what happened. Either a leading issue arose and was missed or stuck jacket or something went completely awry.

[1sgpierce]

I wish I knew what happened also. In this particular case, I was somewhat concerned about shooting the loads in the model 60, but I took my Ruger 77/357 and shot a couple of rounds through it before I tried them in the smith. I figured if there was problem then the rifle would handle it better. The only other possible issue is that of the gun. I had purchased it used and had noticed I had difficulty chambering rounds in one of the charge holes on the cylinder, and that the barrel appeared slightly ringed just forward of the frame. Whether that was a factor or not I don't know, I have been reloading and casting bullets since the mid 70's and I have had cracked cases and head separations before, but never anything like this. I was surprised that the cylinder basically split in two. I would had thought that the chamber that blew would simply split not the entire cylinder. But by no means do I believe its a problem with the gun. I was using my reloads and accept the responsibility of what happened.

[2hawk]

Wow, that makes for an exciting day at the range!

I read your linked thread, and all I can say is I'm glad you're alright, and kudos for sharing the experience. I suspect the gun had an issue, it just doesn't seem like that load should've done that, but I admire your candor and level-headed accounting of the episode.

[Rule3]

Sorry to see something like that happen. The main thing is you are OK and that you are able to share the experience.

After reading your other post the red flags to me are the barrel bulge and the difficulty clambering the round. Of course we will never know for sure, but it seems more likely those things rather than something in your hand loads.

[fredj338]

It's not that you changed a component but really, you were loading a 110grJHP, probably hot, then just dropped in a heavier lead bullet w/o reducing your load & working it back up????? I can only imagine the load for the 110gr bullet had to be well into +P territory, but even then, I am suspecting something else to take the cyl apart like that. Were the cyl thrats tight, was the bullet quite a bit over sized? Fortunately, it only cost you a gun.

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree something seems wrong with this situation. Unless it was a double charge or more i find it hard to accept a slightly high charge did that. I have a feeling that tight charge hole was a symptom of something being wrong with the cylinder itself. If the cylinder was defective the slightly high pressures could have made it come apart.

[Smithhound]

After looking at the pictures I suspect it was a combination of things that all fell into place at that time. The burst case I'm assuming was the one that fired, you stated that you had trouble with chambering in one hole, that could have been a tight chamber or a lead build up, combine that with a slightly excessive charge due to the change in bullet weight and, boom, there you go.
All that pressure has to go somewhere and when the bullet didn't budge quick enough, something had to give.
In one of the old books on reloading i've got is a good quote:

"Pressure is and excellent servant, but a poor master".

RD

[jt1]

Thanks for your honesty, and reminding us that handloading is a serious business.

Glad you're OK, that could have been a lot worse.

John