Blew up my 629 today..embarrassed

[dutch686]

I must have had a double or triple charge in my case of Titegroup. I used 4.8 grs under a 240 gr lswc and standard winchester LPP. This is just a little above the minimum load from Hodgdon. I've used the load before with no problems.

Blew out the top strap, 4 cylinder holes and there are cracks in the frame. I will not be using Titegroup in this caliber again. If I have a double charge I want it to overflow the case.

Smith builds a fine weapon.

 

[RussellD]

Guns can be replaced-eyes and fingers are much more valuable. The most important thing is you and those near you were not harmed. Sorry to hear of your loss. I would display the revolver in your reloading area as a reminder.

 

[Murphy's Law]

I use TG for my two 45's with 230gr bullet and 4.5 gr of TG. However, and as you note, 4.5gr of TG can hardly be seen inside the brass before going to the seating station on my Dillon. Glad you're OK.

 

[dutch686]

The gun is already hanging on the wall. Thank God I only suffered a small cut on my hand.

 

[MichiganScott]

I must have had a double or triple charge in my case of Titegroup. I used 4.8 grs under a 240 gr lswc and standard winchester LPP. This is just a little above the minimum load from Hodgdon. I've used the load before with no problems.

Blew out the top strap, 4 cylinder holes and there are cracks in the frame. I will not be using Titegroup in this caliber again. If I have a double charge I want it to overflow the case.

Smith builds a fine weapon.

I'm bettin' a triple since Hodgdon lists 10.0gr as max.

There's a reason I try to use slow powders as much as possible.

Glad you're not hurt.

 

[TACC1]

dutch,
Glad you skated; and thanks for the safety reminder.
TACC1

 

[Moonman]

Now that's a

KABOOM!!!!!

Glad you're OK.

 

[montegomx]

glad you are alright,it happened to me with my model 19 snubbie,
a double load of powder took out the top strap and three of the top
chambers of the cylinder,shrapnel hit a plastic ammo box on my
table one of the shells inside had a gouge in it right next to the
primer,i guess god looks after fools huh.my brother was using the
same ammo in his t/c contender,if he fired the round nothing would
nave happened.

 

[geddylee10002000]

Glad you are OK! I avoid fast powders in my 629-1 4". I load only 2400, 296, and the likes. I have a lighter load that I use with Herco. The gun is brutal with magnum loads and I can only take so much. I have other guns that I use target loads in. I just bought a Dillon 550. I am trying to set it up to load and am concerned about double charges and squibs. I will be vigilant and look for mistakes. I guess when I am loading, if it doesn't feel right I will stop.

 

[Poodle Soup]

No one else is going to ask? Have a picture of the damage?

Glad your ok also : )

 

[venomballistics]

Ive campaigned against that powder for quite a while, especially in magnums.
truth be told, Ive run a lot of different powders through the 44 magnum.
Bullseye, 231, red dot, 700X 800X, 4227, even 3031 as well as many others.
Unique, 2400, 296 ... one of these three will address any need in praiseworthy fashion. There are others such as lilgun, MP300, and trailboss that have good reports I have not yet tried. MP300 might get a chance to dethrone 296/ H110 but I see no other reason to trade horses on Unique or 2400.

 

[Rule3]

Glad you are OK

Don't let Skip see this, He will told ya so! He hates that powder!

 

[Rule3]

No one else is going to ask? Have a picture of the damage?

Glad your ok also : )

It would be too painful to see. It's OK if it's a Glock or something.

 

[Chaosrob]

Wow. Sorry about your gun, happy about your health. It may have been costly but it could have been more so.

 

[Az Rick]

I'm glad you weren't seriously injured.

This is a good time to remind everyone who reloads or is contemplating taking it up...to be careful.

If you reload using a powder measure that charges a single case with the throw of a handle,...check each case. It takes about two seconds. I charge 50 cases at a time in a block or case holder. When you're done set them down and either take a flashlight or even hold the block under a light and see that all cases are close to the same volume. (Powder is measured by weight not volume but it's a quick check.) This will catch doubles or non charged cases. Any that aren't close should be weighed. It's good practice to randomly take 3 or 4 of your charged cases and weigh them. That way you know your getting the charge you want.

After doing several batches you get quick at it. It should be part of every routine. If I ever go to a progressive machine, I will do the flashlight mount on the press.

I don't mean to preach. This was avoidable. A nice Smith was retired early, with no serious injury.

Take your time and be careful all!!

Best, Rick

 

[Black_Sheep]

Sorry to hear about the 629 but at least you survived to tell us about it.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Titegroup=lawn fertilizer! It is the ONLY use that I have found for it where it didn't pose a threat of doing just this.

I am glad you are okay, man, it could have been really bad. What if one of your kids or your dad or WIFE or.......someone that really meant something to you had been shooting it or hurt by it?

Listen, I am as adventurous as the next guy. I have done some CRAZY dangerous things. Jumped a ditch once with a Chevy Vega and landed ontop of some cutoff pulpwood saplings, but one thing this old boy will never do and that is load one single stinking case with this powder, um, N E V E R !!

And a new handloader using it is like giving moonshine to a 13 year old. N E V E R !!

As I said earlier, I am super thankful that you are okay......but.......if you had read a warning by me or another experienced loader about Titegroup and you went ahead and loaded it, anyway, you deserve to blow up a gun. Actions have consequences. Thankfully, no personal injury occurred this time.

 

[dutch686]

Skip, I'm not new to reloading. Several years under my belt. But this was the first time I have used titegroup for the 44, hence the light loading. There was no dangerous experimentation taking place.

i'm sure you are passing along your convictions, but please don't tell me that I deserved to blow up my gun. If I am personalizing your statements incorrectly I apologize.

I'll get pics posted once I find the battery charger for my camera.

 

[venomballistics]

Titegroup=lawn fertilizer! It is the ONLY use that I have found for it where it didn't pose a threat of doing just this.

I am glad you are okay, man, it could have been really bad. What if one of your kids or your dad or WIFE or.......someone that really meant something to you had been shooting it or hurt by it?

Listen, I am as adventurous as the next guy. I have done some CRAZY dangerous things. Jumped a ditch once with a Chevy Vega and landed ontop of some cutoff pulpwood saplings, but one thing this old boy will never do and that is load one single stinking case with this powder, um, N E V E R !!

And a new handloader using it is like giving moonshine to a 13 year old. N E V E R !!

As I said earlier, I am super thankful that you are okay......but.......if you had read a warning by me or another experienced loader about Titegroup and you went ahead and loaded it, anyway, you deserve to blow up a gun. Actions have consequences. Thankfully, no personal injury occurred this time.

I harbor much the same hatred for the stuff. But you seem to express it far more eloquently than I

 

[badguybuster]

It can happen to anyone. Glad yer ok