How NOT to reload...Kaboom!

[DR505]

A friend passed this one along...his acquaintance was working up a .460 Rowland load using Unique. He did not have a single published load with this powder, so went on his own. The frame and slide are from a Glock 21 with a .460 Rowland conversion. Here is what 13 grains of Unique can do:

I ran the load through my Quickload software, but used .45 ACP as there is no Rowland data in this program. In a .45 ACP case with a 230 grain FMJ, 13 grains of Unique generate over 111,000 PSI! Now the Rowland case is 1/16th inch longer and dimensionally different, but not that different.

Word to the wise...use published loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

So this it actually 3rd hand information? Can it be verified because I'm thinking 111,000 PSI would do a lot more damage to any handgun than we see there.

 

[DR505]

I'll run the numbers again...stand by.

 

[DR505]

Okay, here is the data for 13 grains Unique using a .45 ACP 230 grain FMJ:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING: Table produced by not verified Ballistics Calculations! Check results
always against loading data of current reloading manuals! Input data and results
may be invalid or wrong! The use of this data for loading ammunition can cause,
directly or indirectly, serious injury to personnel and material. No responsibi-
lity is implied and THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE DATA.
QuickLOAD© V.3.4 Interior BallisticsV.3.4 #530606
© Copyright 1987-2008 - H.Broemel, Babenhausen, Germany
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case capacity and propellant properties may vary considerably from lot to lot!

**** Input data: Date: 21-Nov-2013 Time: 22:10:41
Cartridge................. = .45 Auto +P (ACP) (SAAMI)
Projectile type........... = .451, 230, Sierra FPJ RN Match 8815 with flatbase

Max.avg.pressure(Piezo SAA)= 23000 psi Shot start / init pressure = 2176 psi
Projectile weight (gr)= 230 Groove caliber (in)= 0.451
Length of cartridge (in)= 1.275 Length of case (in)= 0.898
Case capacity(Grains Water)= 25.00 Length of projectile (in)= 0.655
Length of barrel (in)= 5.000
**** Values calculated:
Seating depth (in)= 0.278 Volume displaced (gn H2O)= 11.24
Comb.chamber volume(gn H2O)= 13.76 Projectile travel (in)= 4.380
**** Input data:
Propellant type........... = Alliant UNIQUE
Charge weight..........(gr)= 13.0 Load density......(g/cu.cm)= 0.943
Heat of Explosion (cal/lb)= 492949 Ratio of spec. heats cp/cv = 1.222
Solid density (gr/cu.in)= 412.2 Weighting factor...........= 0.8
Burning rate factor Ba(1/s)= 2.35 Pro-/degressivity factor a = 6.000
Burning limit ......... z1 = 0.2 Combust.Chamber Vb(ft³)= 3.154282E-5
Factor.................. b = 1.612 X-S.Area of Bore A(ft²)= 1.090312E-3
Bulk density (gr/cu.in)= 150.0 Projectile mass mp (lb)= 3.285714E-2
Loading ratio (%)= 159.0 Projectile travel x(ft)= 3.649934E-1

**** Results calculated:
Maximum pressure ........ = 111587 psi Way of projectile at Pmax = 0.12 in
Muzzle velocity ......Ve = 1590 fps Muzzle pressure .......Pe = 5320 psi
Project. energy at muzzle = 1292 ft.lbs Fraction of powder burnt = 100 %
Projectile travel time from 10% Pmax to muzzle = 0.32 ms

D A N G E R: Load exceeds Maximum Average Pressure ! DO NOT USE THIS LOAD !
Real maximum of pressure inside barrel.
End of combustion before the projectile passes muzzle.

 

[DR505]

Mind you, in a .460 Rowland the pressure would be different as the case dimensions are different, but not by a huge margin. The pressure would be less than in a .45 ACP case, but I can't imagine it would be tremendously different...even at 50% of this PSI it would be too hot.

Dropping to 12 grains the pressure drops to 86,000 psi. (again, .45 ACP case)

I've got the forwarded e-mail from the original experimenter, so third hand yes, but original info. I also wonder if his metering was off...a 1 grain difference is ~25,000 psi at that level (according to Quickload) in a .45 ACP. Quite a difference there.

 

[fredj338]

So did he just plug 13gr in or work up to it? I have reloaded several wildcats, no data. You just have to go slow & watch for rpessure signs, take measurements in vel & case head. Sounds/looks like he was taking a few short cuts. Good old Darwin still lives.

 

[brucev]

Very impressed that the Glock was not a collection of splinters after being subjected to such a overload.

 

[OKFC05]

Those with access to pressure equipment warn over and over that "pressure signs" are unreliable in straight-walled pistol cases, and it is possible to get 50%+ overpressure with NO pressure signs on the fired cartridge.
In fact, it is common that the first visible "pressure sign" is pieces hitting the ceiling!

BUT SO MANY PEOPLE KNOW BETTER AND TRY IT ANYWAY

 

[H Richard]

This is why they print loading manuals.

 

[murphydog]

This makes little sense to me (if it is supposed to, that is) - someone who is experienced enough to have a custom caliber conversion unit on their pistol, and has a reloading setup (at least to the point of being able to weigh powder charges and assemble complete rounds) uses enough Unique to blow up their gun? Did they just fill the case to capacity? Frightening.

 

[Nevada Ed]

So now that he is able to get inside that gun to clean it...........
who is going to put it back together again ?

Can you believe that...!!!

WOW!!

 

[Rockets]

Wow... is the shooter OK ? hand nerve damage ?
Those plastic guns hold up pretty good

 

[gregintenn]

This is why they print loading manuals.

Exactly! I prefer to let others blow their guns up and learn from them.

 

[mikld]

So this it actually 3rd hand information? Can it be verified because I'm thinking 111,000 PSI would do a lot more damage to any handgun than we see there.

Sometime it's good to just believe what someone says, instead of challenging everything...

 

[Warren Sear]

Those with access to pressure equipment warn over and over that "pressure signs" are unreliable in straight-walled pistol cases, and it is possible to get 50%+ overpressure with NO pressure signs on the fired cartridge.
In fact, it is common that the first visible "pressure sign" is pieces hitting the ceiling!

BUT SO MANY PEOPLE KNOW BETTER AND TRY IT ANYWAY

I groan every time some well-meaning post-writer advises a pistol or revolver hand-loader to "start low and watch for signs of pressure". WHAT SIGNS????????

 

[silentflyer]

If you are going to put 13 grains of Unique in anything make sure it's a rifle or maybe a Ruger Redhawk, but the first question should be why?

 

[tlay]

I don't want to bad mouth your friend but what the blazes was he thinking? Is this the way he reloads everything? If you are truly his friend then buy him a manual for Christmas!

 

[varmint243]

Obviously this was caused by
using TightGroup,
a malfunctioning powder measeure,
using cast lead bullets in polygonal rifling,
firing a round with a bullet stuck in the bore,
and because the ammo wasn't loaded on a Smurf press.
or
by using cheap Chinese ammo

we don't care about the facts
did I miss anything ?

 

[keithherrington]

All very interesting, but how many of you are really more interested in what the velocity of the bullet was?

 

[TrueTexan]

Think it can be repaired under warranty