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.
Saw a Mod 14 that blew up today
- Thread starter Snafu12
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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
Member
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.
Be careful and stay safe.
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
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.
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
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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
Member
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
Member
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.
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.
This is why I do all my loading on a single stage press and visually inspect every case after powder charging and before I start a bullet into the case. I load more bullseye in all calibers than I do any other powder.
I'm like you. I use a single shot press.. One pull of the handle to drop the powder, inspect powder charge, insert bullet, seat bullet, inspect crimp, and put in the tray.
Slower than the second coming, but I ain't blowed up any guns in 60 years of loading
^^^What he said^^^
Agree 100%.
Virtually every blowup I have ever read about has, in the chain of events, a progressive press.
Loading block...
Flashlight..
Simple..
Effective..
handejector
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Actually, that will rarely blow a gun.
Many years ago, a guy brought me a Mod 10-6 Heavy barrel.
The cyl would not open.
It would not open because a bullet was stuck between the forcing cone and cyl throat.
I knocked the barrel pin out and pulled the barrel. The bullet fell out of the forcing cone when I gave it a gentle push. It was a 125 gr JHP.
I could see another bullet just inside the cone.
I could also see another bullet through the CRACK in front of the locking lug on the barrel!
I sawed the barrel in two lengthways.
The guy had fired a 158 JSP squib. He then followed that with 6 rds of 125 JHP loaded with Blue Dot to about 1000 fps. He reloaded and fired a few more till the cyl wouldn't turn.
As I recall, we had the 158 JSP, followed by 7 or 8 of the 125 JHP's, plus the one that fell out of the forcing cone. The bullets in the middle had been pounded into a WC shape and lost much of their length!
Again, that HEAVY barrel had a split about one inch long in front of the locking lug opened wide enough to see the copper bullets shining inside.
The cyl was unharmed, and the gun was returned to shooting with a new barrel.
If he'd have had a longer barrel, he could have kept shooting all day!
He said he couldn't believe he kept missing.
He also thought "there sure was a lotta fire comin' out in front o' the cylinder, and it sure seemed to be kickin' hard."
Ya can't fix stupid.
handejector
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Not the press's fault- it's a loose nut on the handle.
I once reloaded on Star machines that I modified to feed brass automatically, index auto, and eject rounds auto. All I had to do was keep it fed with primers, powder, and brass, crank the handle, and position bullets manually.
Just for kicks, I tried for my 'personal best' with 2 witnesses to time me. I loaded 1200 rds of 357 mag in ONE hour.
Of course, my left sholder ain't too great nowadays (I cranked with my left so I could feed bullets right handed since I am right handed and more dextrous with it).
I loaded over 330,000 rds in several calibers on Star machines.
Not one squib.
Not one double.
I let a 9mm bullet push my finger tip into a 9mm case one day.
Tried not to do that no more.
I reloaded sitting down. As I said, the machine would eject the loaded round as it automatically indexed (rotated to next position). The round would travel down a little sheet metal chute I made, through a hole in the bench, and down a tube to a plastic pan. The pan rested more or less between my feet.
I once had a fullhouse 44 Mag go down the tube, primer hit rim of another case, and she blew.
THAT will help you focus on the moment!
That's when I invented the cardboard baffle the rounds hit at the bottom of the tube to slow them down before they fell into the pan.
Like others have posted, I still use a single stage RCBS press I have had for 40+ years & check powder level on all loads.
I never think of reloading as a race, & being retired now have even more time to wast....
I never think of reloading as a race, & being retired now have even more time to wast....
Amen to this on everything I load
i don't think it really matters weather you use a single stage or a progressive press to reload, it all comes down to paying attention to what you are doing.....its not about how many rounds you can make in an hour it's about making quality ammo cheaper than the factory stuff so you can shoot more.
+1 on the single stage press. Been using one for 30+ years. only issue I've ever had was a overcharge of 231 in a .40 S&W round. Second round in the magazine of my Glock 23. Blew the magazine out of the gun and cracked the trigger. Stung the hand a mite! Had the pistol repaired (new trigger, mag was fine) and still own, carry, and shoot it. Culprit was powder measure lock ring wasn't tight and charges were slowly getting larger as I charged cases. I learn from my msitakes. Pulled the rest of the rounds down and started over. I now check each case twice.
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