Saw a Mod 14 that blew up today

[Snafu12]

I was 1/2 hour late to range to witness it
Examined it
No back strap
Top top of cylinder blown off
Two other cylinder holes left and right of top blown in half
Those two rounds also went off
Right one had wad cutter pushed out to end of cylinder

One case head found. blown off 1/4 inch from rim in perfect circle. Primer also blown out of it.

Nobody hurt

 

[diamonback68]

Probably another double load. Killed a lot of guns.

 

[Flint Ridge]

Blown primer is an indication of too much of a good thing. Check, check and check again for reloading. Too bad about the gun, glad nobody hurt.

 

[ScottJ]

This is why I try to always select loads where a double charge won't fit (ideally) or at the very least it'll be quite obvious.

 

[Flint Ridge]

This is why I try to always select loads where a double charge won't fit (ideally) or at the very least it'll be quite obvious.

Yep and I also run a powder check on the 1050, don't need a squib the other way either.

 

[maglvr]

Look once, then look closer a 2nd+3rd time!

The very reason I drop all powder charges in the brass, then stand them in the block, when block is full I look them over 2-3 times.
Takes all of 30 seconds.
There's no replacement for visual inspection that I have ever found.

 

[stantheman86]

More guns die every day from careless reloading than anything else......

I always say, guns have 3 enemies......gun grabbing politicos, rust, and stupid people with reloading presses.

 

[A10]

Sorry to hear of the loss of another fine revolver. Did you get to talk to the owner?

 

[Snafu12]

Sorry to hear of the loss of another fine revolver. Did you get to talk to the owner?

They were still shooting 30 feet to my left
There was a lot of denial
Defective gun/stressed metal from years of use...............
I stayed clear
The revolver was in the clubhouse when I signed in

 

[cjw3]

They were still shooting 30 feet to my left
There was a lot of denial
Defective gunowner/stressed brain from years of non-use...............
I stayed clear
The revolver was in the clubhouse when I signed in

Fixed it for you.

 

[mkk41]

Probably using +Ps.

 

[Troystat]

Isn't a double charge of bullseye a +P+?

Troy

 

[cavscout684]

A week ago I saw a Glock blow up using Wolf ammo (no one injured). Though I agree most likely a bad reload in this case, lower end manufacturers can make crap too, so be aware.

 

[jepp2]

Isn't a double charge of bullseye a +P+?

I realize this was in jest. But I think part of the problem is that a lot of folks don't understand the true impact of a double charge.

I saw one post where somebody asked "isn't that just the same as a proof load?"

I ran the calc in QuckLoad for a double charge of Bullseye in a 9mm case and the pressure went from 30K for the single charge to around 350K for the double charge. The problem is the available space for the second charge.

 

[cmj8591]

The max load for Bullseye in the 38 with a 158 grain bullet is about 4 grains. The max load in the 357 with the same bullet is about 6 grains. If you double drop the 38 load, it's going to get your attention. Who knows what happen to this gun. It could also have been a stuck bullet in the throat. The moral of the story is that when your playing with guns, you have to pay attention.

 

[Tennessee Tom]

Don't forget the dreaded Dremel.......

More guns die every day from careless reloading than anything else......

I always say, guns have 3 enemies......gun grabbing politicos, rust, and stupid people with reloading presses.

Dremels have probably ruined as many as reloading presses......Tom

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

A local indoor range does not allow handloads.

 

[yashua-p]

...just how much Bullseye can you get in a case?

yashua

 

[john traveler]

The .38 Special was introduced as a more powerful (longer) case than the then service revolver load (.38 Long). It held 21 grains of black powder, and would have no trouble holding a double, triple or even quadruple charge of Bullseye.

 

[Troystat]

There is a n-frame on display at the local shooting range I go to that was destroyed, top strap lifted and cylinder shattered. Was an over charge of bullseye. I don't know what pressure was generated but it sure re-enforces my reloading precautions including putting all charged cases in a reloading block for inspection before seating bullets to make sure the powder charges pass a visual inspection.

 

[cjw3]

...just how much Bullseye can you get in a case?

yashua

More than is needed to scatter the gun; a double charge will do it almost every time.

I charge cases in a block and then go along each row with a flashlight inspecting each one.

No problems after nearly 40 years, so I'm sticking with what works.

 

[Homie]

More than is needed to scatter the gun; a double charge will do it almost every time.

I charge cases in a block and then go along each row with a flashlight inspecting each one.

No problems after nearly 40 years, so I'm sticking with what works.

IIRC, Hercules ran a study that was published in the RIFLEMAN (and later in HANDGUNNER) showing that even a double charge (2.7 X 2) of B/E would not destroy a modern reveolver with a properly seated WC. Excessive seating depth AND a double charge would hurt.

If there is any newer info on this matter I'd like to have a reference.

Good shooting.

 

[Mikie]

I like using progressive loading presses that have automatic indexing. I have 2 Dillon SDBs and 1 Lee Pro 1000. After the shell is lifted into the powder drop station it advances to the bullet seat station. I still pay attention but as long as the operation(handle down/handle up) goes without a stoppage I know there is no double charge. This setup allows me to use faster burning powders like Titegroup, Red Dot, or Unique which still doesn't take up much space to prevent a double in most calibers. I hate to hear about experiences like this partially because of the danger to the shooter and others but also because it destroys a good gun which could have provided years of service. Pretty much eliminating a double charge my remaining problem is bad brass. Usually that won't lift the topstrap of a revolver.
Be careful and stay safe.

 

[MajorD]

while it may be old fashioned this is why I do all my reloading with a single stage press- you can visually verify proper powder charge with every round prior to bullet seating- I've seen my share of blow ups and in EVERY case it was someone running a progressive reloader trying to rush thru the reloading process

 

[Nevada Ed]

N frame vs Bullseye !!

Lowest JHP charge of Bullseye is 6.0grs (170 fmc)... Maximun Unique is 10grs for a little 110 jhp, so 12 grains of Bullseye would disassemble any revolver if this were the case.........

One hates to see these things happen and I am just glad that most shooters,some how survive with minimal damage to them and others in the area.

Many a S&W has given up its life to save a misguided operator.

Mercy.

 

[David LaPell]

This is one of the reasons I never load more than fifty rounds at a time and I weigh them all. I know the weight of the primed brass, bullets and powder and I make sure when combined everything is in spec. Recently a co worker dynamited his Glock 9mm with his handloads. When I talked to him he had talked to Glock and was mad because they would not warranty the gun and he was positive there was something in the gun that was defective. He could not fathom one of his handloads killing the gun.

 

[KLYDE]

while it may be old fashioned this is why I do all my reloading with a single stage press- you can visually verify proper powder charge with every round prior to bullet seating- I've seen my share of blow ups and in EVERY case it was someone running a progressive reloader trying to rush thru the reloading process

Major, I'm with you. Been reloading about 30 years. Started out with a entry level Lyman. Bought a RCBS RS5 about 15 years ago. Single stage process takes more time but is much less likely to blow up one of your favorite guns. Still gets whatever I want to shoot loaded up.

 

[gmiller0737]

This is one of the reasons I never load more than fifty rounds at a time and I weigh them all. I know the weight of the primed brass, bullets and powder and I make sure when combined everything is in spec. Recently a co worker dynamited his Glock 9mm with his handloads. When I talked to him he had talked to Glock and was mad because they would not warranty the gun and he was positive there was something in the gun that was defective. He could not fathom one of his handloads killing the gun.

I also weigh completed rounds to make sure everything adds up,It doesn't take that long to weigh the completed rounds as they are boxed up.

 

[H Richard]

The first time AI saw one of these examples was about 30 years ago, not long after I had started reloading. Was in my LGS and the story was the owner followed the instructions on the Lee hand loader, and uses 3 little yellow scoop fulls of bullseye, (load was for 3 grains) He didn't know the little yellow scoop was already 3 Grains, so he would up with 9 grains. It took top strap and all 3 top chambers out. Lesson was READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.