629 explodes

[MakeMyNight]

Hodgdon manual #26 shows 13.5 gr HS-6 with a 240 gr jacketed bullet as giving 26,600 CUP, which is well below the 43,500 CUP the 44 mag was spec'd at by SAAMI when the manual was printed. That is their max load BTW with that powder.

Even the Speer #8 which is everyone's go to manual when they want to find hot loads that are supposedly safe because they are in a manual by a major manu, shows only 13.5 grains as max with HS-6 under a 240 jacketed bullet.

Looking thru some older reloading data and comparing with the poster's Speer Manual #8 above:

Speer Reloading manual #9 shows 12.5 grs HS6, magnum primer, with 240 grain bullet. HS6 not used for loads in 44 rifle cartridges in this manual.

Speer Reloading manual #11 shows a max of 16 grs HS6 with 240 gr projectile with a magnum primer, in 44 mag handgun cartridges.
Same HS6 charges are used in 240 gr 44 mag rifle cartridges in this manual.

Browsing through My 1971 Sierra Reloading manual, HS6 powder is not used in the loading data for for large magnum handgun cartridges.

Reading some of Ken Waters' late 1960's thru early 1970's reloading data, HS6 is not used for reloading large magnum cartridges.

What I'd like to know: Were the cartridges which damaged the firearm loaded on an auto type (Progressive) press, or were they assembled using a turret or other single stage press?
Practically every critically damaged handgun that I've been aware of, was damaged by loads assembled on an auto press.
IMO, auto-presses themselves are NOT the problem, rather lack of press and powder train maintenance seems to render the overcharge of the faulty ammo.

As other members have stated, I feel the reloader owes the forum member a sincere apology, plus a new handgun.

 

[gizamo]

Leah,

If you get a chance...could you post a pic showing the crimp on one of those reloads?

Giz

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Good idea on disassembling the remaining rounds. But what if it was just one round, (the round that did the damage) that was over/double charged? I still think it is worth pulling those rounds apart though....Explore every option.

Just my hunch, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Leah found the remaining charge weights to be on the money....

I feel that S&W's diagnosis will be more influential on why it happened and who's responsibility it is...

 

[Hillbilly77]

Good idea on disassembling the remaining rounds. But what if it was just one round, (the round that did the damage) that was over/double charged? I still think it is worth pulling those rounds apart though....Explore every option.

Just my hunch, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Leah found the remaining charge weights to be on the money....

I feel that S&W's diagnosis will be more influential on why it happened and who's responsibility it is...

Dooman, you guys being noob reloaders....
Keep this thread in mind.


I wouldn't want you to grenade your M19 before I can trade you my Ruger for it.

 

[Jaymo]

I thought black powder Colts were the last open top revolvers.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.
Sorry about your 29.
Glad you're ok.
I'm going to play Taps, on my harmonica (don't have a bugle), for your late Smith.
It's a sad end to a fine gun. One that could have been much worse than it was.

 

[autocar56]

Looking at his last pic, would a timing problem cause that, just curious.

 

[Neal39]

Glad no one was injured, but -- I think a .44 mag. Smith and Wesson shipped in an egg carton would be questionable in the first place. NEAL39

 

[jaymoore]

The O.P.'s 629 was an obvious double charge or super over pressure load, IMO.

Now with the O.P.'s 629 out of the way, I'm curious about Jaymore's picture of a bulged & split U.S. 1917 barrel.

In my show & tell box I have a U.S. 1917 barrel that bulged and split through the top and both sides when one bullseye target lead SWC hit one other bullet out of the same box. The bulge is above the forward locking lug. The reloads were from a Dillion 450. I'm confident the lodged bullet was from no powder charge and the following shot was a normal reload. I forget the powder charge.

Consequently I'm surprised to see a 1917 barrel that accumulated 7 to 8 bullets. Jaymore, do you know how that happened?

Also I noticed one minor error in you post. 1917 cylinders certainly can't contain as much pressure as .44 mag cylinders, but they were heat treated because Uncle Sam demanded it. The earlier .455 cylinders were not heat treated which is the seldom mentioned reason why converting them to .45 ACP is questionable. SAAMI m.a.c. pressure for the wiser .45 colt conversions is 15,000 psi vs. 21,000 for the .45 ACP.

Thanks for the correction, somehow I missed reading that, or just plain forgot!

As for the barrel, It's been in my junk box for probably 30 years, maybe a few less, so details are not definitive! I seem to remember it was all FMJ ammo, whether reloaded or not I couldn't tell you anymore. Also seem to remember that there was nothing much else wrong with the revolver and that spare barrels weren't hard to come by which why it ended up at the shop. A quick swap out. So it's probably still out there in someone's collection.

 

[k22fan]

Looking at his last pic, would a timing problem cause that, just curious.

No. Not just "no", but no way in hell. That's also my answer to the previously raised question could a barrel obstruction alone have ripped off the top strap. I've been a S&W revolver guy for 40 years and think I've learned a little about them.

____________________________________________

[...] spare {1917} barrels weren't hard to come by [...]

That must have been a few years before I needed one or gunsmiths in the area around you still had them. After searching for a couple years I settled for a used 1937 Brazilian barrel. It didn't matter that much because my 1917 was already sporterized when I bought it in 1975 and I had the replacement barrel cut to 4".

A few members might be entertained for a few minutes hearing how my 1917 barrel got bulged. A friend wanted me to try his Dillion 450 reloads for group while he watched. The last one that I fired had no powder. The cease fire siren blew immediately after the pop so I set my 1917 on the bench and we headed out to collect rifle targets. We carried those targets into the lodge to admire the groups with our feet up in front of the fire. Another friend wandered by my unattended 1917 and started to help himself to a little target shooting. Ordinarily that would have been welcome. He stopped after one shot.

All three of us knew better so the rear of a subcompact Honda my neighbor used to drive sums it up pretty well. He had inlet a chromed toilet paper holder with a fake plastic roll of T.P. over a bumper sticker that read "**** happens".

 

[RichCapeCod]

Wow, this is a tough group!

I vote major overcharge with a fast powder from the trusted reloader...

Rich

 

[BigBill]

I have very strict rules when I'm reloading.

No interruptions, no talking to me, do not bother me.

No interruptions, no talking to me, do not bother me.

No interruptions, no talking to me, do not bother me.

I do not talk to anyone when I'm charging the brass. I use the trays that hold the brass. Once there charged I do a visual inspection into each case to make sure each powder charge is equal. Just one mistake could be your last. I check, double check each round to make sure it's right.

Being a ex-logger the national timber fallers association says to ask your self is what I'm about to do, is it safe?

I NEVER shoot anyone's reloads, I trust no one.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Dooman, you guys being noob reloaders....
Keep this thread in mind.


I wouldn't want you to grenade your M19 before I can trade you my Ruger for it.

Taking it slow, methodical, and cautious on a single stage press. It is quite enough to begin to learn all that must be learned using a single stage press setup. I have no interest in taking on the added complication of progressive presses. Just not ready for more than one function to occur with each pull of the lever yet....We are in it for the fun and to save some money to make shooting more affordable/more often.


BigBill's method is very similar to ours.

 

[jimmyrabbit]

Is it possible that the bullet from the first round did not exit the barrel…maybe not even get beyond the forcing cone? Such a scary picture, man! Maybe Smith could pay you for some R&R somewhere so you could regroup. What's the cause of the blowup––do you know yet???

 

[BigBill]

If you don't see a hole in the target just keep pulling the trigger.

Is this a ruger? From the looks of the thickness of the barrel and the strength it has to be of ruger quality.

 

[elnonio]

GRJ/Yoda
Am I thinking along the correct legal lines, allowing them to load on my machine, when it comes to avoiding liabilities ?

RoGrrr/Ree

Even then they could argue your equipment was at fault and the cause of improperly loaded ammo.

I would stick to not having anything to do with anyone I would suspect of suing me...


Sent from my HTC One X+ using Tapatalk

 

[williamlayton]

From just the pictures of the metal, I would judge a metal problem.
Blessings