Killed a beautiful 1905

[38SPL HV]

If it don't make any noise or jump in yer hand, stop! and make sure the barrel is clear...

Yes, exactly!

…but root cause, check each and every cartridge and their powder levels before loading any bullet. I would also stay away from anything jacketed or even plated in 158 gr in 38 Spl. There are reasons why Speer for instance doesn't list loads anymore for 158 gr jacketed bullets in 38 Spl.

Hard lesson to learn but at least you're unhurt.

 

[daverich4]

I just got the current Handloader today and it has a 38 Special Pet Loads article in it by Brian Pearce. He lists a number of jacketed bullet loads but they are all lighter than 158 grains. Brian explained that there are no 158 grain jacketed loads due to the higher likelihood of their sticking in the barrel due to them having a longer bearing surface and slower speeds.

 

[Kinman]

Sorry for your loss. I was one shot away from doing the exactly the same thing with my 32-20 M&P. Fired the first few chambers with no problems. Freshly loaded for the third time and fired the 1st and 2nd with no problems, fired the 3rd and noticed very little recoil, cocked the hammer back and began to settle down on the target and thought that sure was wierd...maybe I ought to check it out. Opened the cylinder and found 1, 2 and 3 fired, the rest still fully primed. I looked down the barrel and could not see light, had that "A-HA" moment and dropped a pencil down the barrel, it went about half way. Recovered the squib load and went about shooting the other rounds with no further problems. It happens...

 

[John Patrick]

Sorry for you and your revolver, OP.

On the other hand, that's a hell of a testimonial to the M&P's strength!

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Yes, exactly!

…but root cause, check each and every cartridge and their powder levels before loading any bullet. I would also stay away from anything jacketed or even plated in 158 gr in 38 Spl. There are reasons why Speer for instance doesn't list loads anymore for 158 gr jacketed bullets in 38 Spl.

Hard lesson to learn but at least you're unhurt.

Uh, there are 4 different 158gr bullets listed in Speer's downloadable data: TMJ, DCHP, JHP & JSP...

CHEERS!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Uh, there are 4 different 158gr bullets listed in Speer's downloadable data: TMJ, DCHP, JHP & JSP...

CHEERS!

But, is that data meant for use in 100 year old revolver with a longer that 4" barrel?

I'm sorry you ruined your gun but, always look into the case before you seat the bullet. What type of press are you using? Single stage, turret press, progressive press and what brand?

 

[glowe]

I am surprised that members of this Forum have not read one of the dozens of threads about NOT using jacketed bullets in a vintage S&W, or any other brand of vintage revolver . . . and never use a jacket bullet loaded to the same amount of powder as lead.

Yes, even online Hodgdons Reloading data center shows a 158 HDY XTP load for 38 Special.

BULLET - 158 GR. HDY XTP

Starting Load - 3.8g 231 . . . . . . . . . . Maximum Load - 4.3g 231
Velocity 661fps @ 12.600CUP. . . . . . . Velocity 779fps @ 15,900CUP

 

[BrovoEchoSierra]

I wont throw rocks, as anyone who reloads, or just shoots can fall victim to this sort of disaster.
Yes there are things that should have been observed, that would have prevented this.
Too bad about the gun, but glad you were not hurt.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

Some may think this is over kill. Never had a squib load. And it's faster than you think.
Even with the Harrels , depending on the the powder , every now and then one comes up short.

 

[stansdds]

Nice example of what can happen when a bullet gets stuck in a barrel, then another round is fired. Has not yet happened to me, but thanks for posting the image and description of what happened.


A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.

 

[Heinz]

The bullet hanging out the barrel is a jacketed rnfp, the 2 behind it are 158 lead swc. Not an excuse but it was a noisy range and the .38 is always a soft shooting pistol, at least for me. At this point I'm not sure of the cause but a light load would do that, but the 4.1 grain charge of 231 isn't close to the Winchester load start number.

Does "2 behind it" mean it was fired twice after the jacket rnfp was stuck in the barrel?

 

[STORMINORMAN]

The question of the advisability of ACCURATELY using modern, published load data (for whatever caliber, weight and type of bullet) in an older firearm OF THE CORRECT CALIBER is really not the issue here, IMHO.

A squib, or a series of squibs(?) admittedly loaded below the powder manufacturer's suggested START load is most probably the prime contributing factor. How many million jacketed 38 Special loads (of sufficient velocity) have been fired in firearms designed as 38 S&W Specials over the many decades?

It is true that a longer barrel, an unfortunate (possibly lower than anticipated?) load of powder, a jacketed bullet (the heavier the more bearing surface, etc.) vs. lead MAY have all been contributing factors, but...

It certainly appears to be an undetected (underpowered) squib followed up by multiple additional rounds! What else would one expect?

Cheers!

P.S. The "bunny farts" still stink!

 

[Luke Duke]

I wont throw rocks, as anyone who reloads, or just shoots can fall victim to this sort of disaster.
Yes there are things that should have been observed, that would have prevented this.
Too bad about the gun, but glad you were not hurt.

Yeah I've been reloading my whole grown up life, and I forgot to charge a .45 Colt case. Fortunately, they were relatively warm Ruger loads in a BlackHawk. 4 Booms, one pop. New right away. Amazing how far that primer wedged that bullet in the barrel, and it was a real bear to beat it out

 

[venomballistics]

And handloaders, especially brand new handloaders are (usually?) always very aware and somewhat afraid of making loads too heavy, they often don't realize the catastrophic danger of making them too light.

This is something I've preached as well, though for different reasons.
Many seek light, easy shooting loads built with the most frugal choice of powder obtainable. While getting more rounds from a pound of powder seems desirable, the resulting load is often erratic due to low operating pressures and of reduced utilitarian value off the range.
The lightest I load are what most might call intermediate.
When seconds count, we won't have time to play "nope not these", sorting though a pile of light loads to get to the business section. Any handful grabbed should be load enough to solve any problem a given arm would be appropriate for.

 

[hkcavalier]

I've had a couple close calls with factory reloads. Fortunately didn't make that second shot with either one...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm curious, even if you didn't realize there was a bullet stuck in the barrel why would you fire a 3rd time when the previous 2 shots didn't make a hole in the target?

 

[lilwoody]

If you didnt stretch the frame it isn't dead, just need another barrel.

 

[scott1970]

A buddy of mine decided to start reloading and started with a Dillon 650. He visited my range with his first box of .45s and a new Sig 1911. Round three made a pop and didn't eject the case. He manually ejected it, and before I could say anything and fired the remaining rounds in the mag.

He split that barrel from the lugs to just shy of the muzzle. Fortunately, the gun was salvaged with a new barrel.

 

[shil]

Ouch! A shame indeed! Sometimes a squib load gets by in spite of precautions. Happened to me. I was fortunate to have caught it. What I apparently DIDN'T catch was what was probably a double charge. Years later, I still don't know EXACTLY how it happened, but I suspect I wanted to see what the powder level of a double charge LOOKED like. I do not remember if I poured that charge back into the powder hopper. Ruined what was a nice 442. I still have what's left of it as a reminder. I'm glad no one was hurt.