KABOOM!!!

[blujax01]

Let's start at the beginning:
Powder: Hodgdon data indicates an extremely small window for this powder in this caliber. Minimum 23 grains, maximum 24 grains. (With an 11,000 CUPS pressure difference between the two). The OP states a charge of 22 grains which is below the minimum. Depending on the scales used, this charge number could be plus/minus who knows how much. Also as we all know, below minimum can be as devastating as above maximum.

Bullet: Berry's specifically prohibits using their plated bullets for magnum loads. Users are warned to keep the velocity below 1250 fps. These bullets do not have channelures, a must for making magnum rounds, IMO.

Primer: Unknown. If a magnum primer was used, the pressure could rise dramatically.

I am glad no one was hurt. Hopefully this expensive lesson will serve as a reminder that we are participating in an activity calling for strict adherence to rules and freelancing is done at the users risk.

I thank the OP for posting this. It will remind me to pay close attention to my own work.

 

[scooter123]

P.O. Ackley was adament that a reduced charge of a magnum powder would occasionally cause a much higher pressuer situation than too large a charge of the same powder. I'm not sure whether he was ever able to replicate the situation in a lab, but he shows several photos of blown up guns in his book, and he claims this to be the cause.

As I understand it this is possible in a Magnum Rifle cartridge, I'm not at all convinced the same is possible in a Magnum Handgun. In addition a charge of 22 grains of W-296 is probably a very suitable choice for a starting or low mid range charge for a plated bullet in 44 Magnum.

As I understand the theory, which is admittedly hard to prove, it's sort of like this with a Magnum or High Power Rifle caliber with a severe undercharge. What happens is that the intitial pressure buildup is so slow that it cannot get the bullet moving down the barrel. Then as the pressure starts to build the ignition process speeds up a lot and a very rapid rise in pressure is seen, a rise that is too rapid for the now moving bullet that is moving too slow for the rate of rise in pressure behind it. At some point the temperature and pressure rise to the point when the remaining powder Detonates with obviously catastrophic results.

So, why Rifle and not Handgun. Personal theory here. One, high power rifle bullets are universally jacketed and copper jacketing has a Static Friction Coefficient that is significantly higher than the Dynamic Friction Coefficient. As a result, it's "harder" to get a jacketed bullet moving. Two, Spitzer type bullets typically have a rather long bearing surface, which means more drag and a higher disparity between the pressure needed to get the bullet moving. Three, modern rifles typically feature a rather small bore in comparison to handguns. IIRC you have to get up to the 50 caliber 500 Magnum to produce the same energy level as the 30.06. Since the Force exerted on a bullet is a function of Bore Diameter and Pressure, smaller bores means a much higher operating pressure. Finally, rifles do have longer barrels, so it's possible that with a handgun the bullet has left the barrel before a runaway pressure rise can cause detonation so the only result of this process in a handgun is a lot of muzzle flash. With a long barreled rifle, plenty of time for things to get "out of hand".

 

[slfree]

Live and learn. Glad he lived. I learned a bunch reading this thread.

 

[Rule3]

Of course all we can do is speculate. I would "guess" wrong powder also OR I never understood how folks load plated bullets for almost full house magnum loads??

How do you properly crimp them? The revolver dies roll crimp so to put a heavy crimp (which it should be) you are gonna crack through the plating, I do not think that would be good?

When I load a LSWC there is a lot of the case mouth crimped into the groove. Would this distorted a platted bullet so much that it jams in the forcing cone?? I do not know, as I do not use plated bullets??

Just a WAG.

 

[JohnnyMac007]

Should have gotten a model with the endurance package.

Just kidding, in all seriousness, glad no one was hurt.

Thanks for posting this, its another reminder that we must be constantly vigilant when reloading. Often times the routine can become mundane and we can lose focus. Thank God all that was destroyed was a replaceable piece of forged steel. Although that was a mighty fine looking piece of forged steel before the kaboom.

 

[SMSgt]

I've always read that light loads of W296 can be hazardous. Could this be proof?

 

[Rule3]

I've always read that light loads of W296 can be hazardous. Could this be proof?

Only if it sticks the bullet in the barrel which does not seem to be the situation as they say it was the 1st shot

Reduce H110 and Winchester 296 loads 3% and work up from there. H110 and Winchester 296 if reduced too much will cause inconsistent ignition. In some cases it will lodge a bullet in the barrel, causing a hazardous situation (Barrel Obstruction). This may cause severe personal injury or death to users or bystanders. DO NOT REDUCE H110 LOADS BY MORE THAN 3%.

 

[Rule3]

I just filled a 44 mag case to the top with H110 it is over 30 grains. No way to seat a bullet.
Leaving an estimated amount of room for a bullet it holds around 29 grains so there is no way to double charge. I am guessing again, wrong powder or the bullet wedged in the forcing cone .

 

[shawn mccarver]

Wow. I just do not believe that was not the result of a mistake in powder or something. I do not see a stuck bullet causing that damage, especially without evidence of the obstruction still being in the bore.

 

[kwselke]

Somewhere around here I have a box of 50 plated bullets with a similar load of 296. After seeing this, I think I'll pull the bullets, use the powder for fertilizer and salvage the other components.

 

[Cdog]

A double charge of a fast burning powder can cause catastrophic results.

 

[SWBigBang]

Glad no one was hurt.
These types of post help to keep it real and a reminder the importance of safety and paying close attention to all aspects of reloading.

 

[YARDDOG]

And Just think,, There is alot of New Reloaders out there,, Be careful & READ a manual or three ; ) PS Glad everyone is OK
Y/D

 

[fredj338]

Sorry, but that did NOT happen form a 22gr charge of W296. I will speculate it was the wrong powder he THOUGHT was W296. I have put some crazy loads of W296 thru various 44mags, enough to stick a case into the cyl, the guns never came apart. That is a double or triple charge of fast burning powder IMO.
An aquaitance of mine did that to a RBH. He told me he loaded BlueDot, swore it was BD. When I went to his house, he had BD & RedDot on the bench together. Yeah, I was betting it was RD. When it comes to powder charging triple checking everything prior to charging is not paranoid.

 

[Rule3]

Somewhere around here I have a box of 50 plated bullets with a similar load of 296. After seeing this, I think I'll pull the bullets, use the powder for fertilizer and salvage the other components.

You can save the powder also. I just do not think plated bullets are the right choice for Magnum loads. Mainly for the crimping issue more so than exceeding 1200 fps. But if the recommendations are followed, they should not be loaded more than midway of the FMJ load data and H110/W296 should not be downloaded more than 3%

 

[Troystat]

One more thought, maybe an obstruction in the powder measure cause a onetime "short" charge of powder. Does seem like a case of wrong powder. Let us know if your friend figures it out.

take care

 

[LittleCooner]

I also vote for the incorrect powder as the cause of this "blow up".

 

[andyo5]

Years ago, Jeff Cooper wrote an article called "The 2.7 Bullseye surprise" to describe some kabooms that occurred amongst target shooters who were loading 38 specials with the lightest load that was published for their bullets (158g, I think) by Hercules. It was speculated that the load was so low that the primer was able to ignite the entire load at once, causing an explosion. But no one was ever able to duplicate this in an experiment. He later concluded that a double charge was the more likely culprit, since it would be hard to notice in a charge this low.
But double charge is not the case here. I subscribe to the 'wrong powder' theory. I recently did this myself, when I accidentally loaded 158g lead bullets in .38 cases with 4.5g of Bullseye instead of 4.5g of Unique. Not having loaded this load since last fall, I mistakenly remembered to use Bullseye instead of Unique and loaded 160 rounds that way, for an uncoming match. No kaboom, luckily for me. But I performed poorly during the match and could not figure out what I was doing wrong. I later disassembled a round and discovered my mistake. Turns out that 4.5g or Bullseye is a +P load with that bullet, and I was shooting them from a .357 magnum N frame. So no problem aside from an embarrassing performance at the match.

 

[GP100man]

Go to your friend & tell em I`m glad he`s OK !!

Then go to his reloading area & see if he leaves powder in the hoppers of measures .

Bet he does !

Then poured 296 on top of another ,faster powder.

 

[HCH]

Could bullet setback affect pressure, like when loading a 180gr .40?