Being a handloader for decades, I cringe when I see people at gun shows buying reloads someone else put together. I've had many people ask me to handload for them and the answer is always no. I've never had an accident but I do not want the liability. Great content keep it up!
Same. A good friend asked me to walk him through the reloading process and even brought over some components. We loaded a mild starting load and as soon as we finished I said “This makes me cringe” and I just gave him replacement components.
You are so RIGHT! I have upset friends because I won't reload for them. A landowner friend of mine, where I hunt alot, had a grandson who wanted me to load some 30)06 for him and help him get his rifle accurate. I loaded to factory specs, nothing maximum or HOT, as they say. I told him never let your ammo sit out in the sun. I keep mine in a gym bag and covered with a towel. I had to tell him twice. I said, you do it again, IM DONE! I explained why. Well, he did it again. I said ok, we are done. I packed up and went to his grandfather's house and explained things to him. No, I didn't get kicked off property.
I been reloading for Dozens of people for 28yrs. I know what I'm doing. I'm not concerned about buying other people's reloads at Gun Shows either. That's how I started reloading from a guy at a Show 30+ yrs ago.
I saw people gobbling up anything and everything during the Shortage and "Scam-Demic"... I would just grit my teeth and roll my eyes.... Don't get me wrong, I buy them too if the price is right but I ALWAYS pull them apart and reload them myself....
Like many here, I have been reloading for more than 45 years. There are a lot of rules I have. One that is cardinal, is that you only have one powder anywhere on the bench at a time. I have seen reloaders accidentally grab the wrong bottle of powder to top of the dispenser. Had a friend do it and luckily I was there and noticed it and commented. Could have been real bad as the one he grabbed was a pistol powder and he was reloading for a magnum rifle. Also, watching you pull that bullet, that rounds seemed to be way to tight in that case. Also could be a contributor to the accident. Very happy that he was not seriously injured. Thanks for sharing. I think that those of us that are experienced are the most likely to make mistakes because of the confidence that we have. Something to keep in mind.
I just repaired an 1873 for a former Marine who's been reloading for more than 50 years without an incident. He'd overloaded a 44-40 cartridge and bent the bolt and firing pin. Fortunately, nobody was hurt and the rifle was salvageable. I think it shook him up that he could make that mistake.
Years ago, at a place I worked, a fellow employee's father died. His son was cleaning out his stuff and came to work selling his dad's reloaded 12 gauge ammo which was labeled 00 buckshot. It had the recipe labeled on each box. I can't remember what it was now but I looked in my books at home and realized real quick, IT WAS HOT! DANGEROUSLY HOT! I brought it to the sons attention the next day and I was pretty much ignored. I told some guys that I knew, that bought some and I told them. They pretty much ignored me. I had the reputation at work of being over cautious. So I'm assuming that's why they ignored me. Well the following Monday morning came and one guy said he blew up his Mossberg shotgun. Luckily he wasn't hurt but he was upset.
When I was new to shooting I bought a Lee shotgun loader. Shooting out of a canoe my empties fell in the water in the bottom of the canoe. Shooting the reloads I noticed they were too quiet. I felt sick thinking about it. Yep, the power was wet. You can't be too careful.
I am 69 years young and started reloading when I was 19 and have always been very, very careful reloading and have always paid strict attention to every detail from the reloading manuals. Well, a few years back I went shooting at a local pit with a friend and that particular day one of the guns I brought along was a model 88 FN High Power chambered in, of course, 9mm. I had some reloads I had acquired sometime in the distant past and I thought that particular day would be a good time to use it up. Well I put one " clip "..........[ just kidding :-} :-} ] full through the gun then proceeded to reload another " clip ", or whatever you call those thingys.......emoji, emoji, emoji !!! Upon sending the second round down range the gun made the damndest sound. It wasn't a typical boom, but more like a loud hiss. A moment passed and my buddy Rob asked " What was that ???" And I replied " I dunno ". So I started looking over my gun and noticed that the new, purty wood stocks I had recently purchased for this beautiful gun [ uh, $125 ] were split, both panels. So I further inspected things and found there was no apparent damage to any other part of the gun and that the bullet had exited the barrel. However the case from that round was burst open just forward of the web and it had dumped that high pressure down into the magazine well......where the " clip " resides. Damn, I can't help myself this morning.....he he he he. What I think happened was that the person who reloaded that round double charged it with a fast burn rate powder. I personally do not and never have used " fast " powders as I like to ideally come close to filling the case with powder which necessitates using medium to slower burn rates. I have my reasons. However, I do not purchase any reloads from anybody and especially after that instance. I do not know why I even had those reloads other than I think someone may have given them to me. Anyway, that's my story on reloads, uh " somebody elses " reloads. Doug.
As someone who began reloading with my Dad back in the 70's and reload for many calibers myself, handgun and rifle. One rule I learned from Dad that I never break is to use a powder and load that fills the case volume at least 70-80%. I do this so it is impossible to double charge a case and not instantly see your mistake.
I started handloading when I was a teenager. I loaded thousands of rounds. When I moved out of state for work, my equipment stayed at my parents' house. I recently brought it to where I now live. I'm itching to get back into production, but I have chosen to approach it as if I have no knowledge or experience. I'm doing my homework because it's worth the time.
I started reloading about 35 years ago. My local gun shop had a demonstration as part of a reloading equipment sale. It seemed straight forward enough. Learn the rules, understand why they are the rules and follow them scrupulously. Always used published reloading data, never go above or below suggested powder charges and constantly check that you have done what you set out to do. (For example, before bullet seating, check that each case has the same level of powder.) One reason I reload is to have very consistent loads. Consistency leads to accuracy. I weigh each and every powder charge. It takes more time but this way I know that each powder charge is equal. I do reload for friends but only when they are present and contributing. I insist they bring along their rifle so I can check for proper magazine loading and cycling of cartridges into and out of the action. You can carefully adjust cartridge overall length to get great bullet seating depth for accuracy and then find the cartridge won't fit into the magazine box. (That's a bit embarrassing.) As for mixing powders, If you don't know why that's dead wrong (dramatic foreshadowing), you have no business reloading. Of course, you don't know what you don't know. That's why we have reloading manuals and courses.
As a 40 plus year reloader, good message & good reminder to build good & safe habits. I do not store spilled, leftover, unidentified or tainted powders. I burn it off immediately. There are no containers of mystery mix on my bench ever. Also avoid double charges. Set a system in place so that cannot happen.
I had a .30 Cal. Mauser C96 pistol when I was younger and purchased a box of unreloaded factory DWM ammo made in the 1930s at a gun show. One of the cartridges blew up at the base and broke the extractor and expanded the magazine well and also broke the magazine spring. I had the case examined at the hole in the base of the case and mercury particles were seen. The theory with my case blowout was that the mercuric priming compound had evaporated from out of the primer and into the case weakening the case and since the case was a balloon head case it didn't take much to compromise the structure of the case. I wasn't injured other than a tingling left hand because I was gripping the pistol over the magazine with the left hand. I repaired the damage and never fired balloon head cases ever again in any weapon. It was difficult to buy non balloon head .30 Mauser brass back in the early 1970s but was able to make the brass from .223 Remington brass. I had good solid head construction and never blew another case. I always reloaded with the correct powders, primers and with new untried cases would work up the loads SLOWLY to the correct system operating loads always checking for signs of overpressure.
Excellent video reminder. If you don't know what's in the reloaded case, it's best to not shoot it. Break it down and reload it yourself. My dad has been reloading since the 60's with no incidents and I've been reloading with him for a few years trying to learn everything I can and one of the first things he taught me was to never shoot someone else's reloads and never reload for someone else regardless of how much they're willing to pay. It is, like so many other have said, NOT worth the liability.
I'm glad the owner is ok. That could have been a much bigger disaster. Thank you for the explanation and breakdown of the incident. I hope you're doing well.
When I was a much younger man in the 90s.I bought a box full of 30 carbine components at a show.And there were a handful of loaded shells in the mix. There was a recipe written down with it all. It told the bullet weight and the charge weight I believe it was unique powder. I thought I would shoot him up at a stump down by the Creek. The 1st 2 shot fine the 3rd one locked the action. As it turns out it had cracked the bolt Carrier on my WW2 carbine. When pulling apart the rest of them I found one other that was a double charge. Luckily for me the gun was well built and in good condition and back then you could get new old stock bolts. I have shot at hundreds and hundreds of times in the last 30 years but never ever anyone else's handloads but my own. And have regularly torn down anyone else's that I have came across or ammunition that looked compromised.Thanks for your videos, I love those Winchesters.
I learned the lesson of not shooting someone’s else’s reloads when I was in my late teens when a hand load given me by a family friend badly damaged a beautiful little .222 Remington I was shooting at a crow. Fortunately the Remington model 722 (if I remember correctly) did not explode, but the primer blew and pieces of it and powder went into my cheek. The case was so stuck in the chamber the bolt had to be driven out with a 2x4. Took the rifle to a gunsmith to have the damaged extractor replaced and learned the throat was also damaged. The gun, which had been extremely accurate never shot well again. Hard to take when you are 17 and a poor farm boy.
@@mjay4700 Actually I traded that rifle and (stupidly) an original very old .32 caliber muzzleloading squirrel rifle for a custom made and stocked 6mm/06 and shot many a crow and ground hog with it.
@@billfisher6708 Cool. Shooting crows doesn't bother me, I was a kid once with a BB gun. My original comment was meant to be humorous and imply that Crows are bad luck.
Alot of good advice in todays comments. My two cents: for pistol ctgs I load the whole block, DOUBLE-CHARGING the last catg, and then visually inspect all charges. When I know what a double charge looks like I think it would be easier to spot. BTW, the tailgate talk makes me feel SO at home. THANKS! DOUGout
Years ago while up in he Adirondacks, we got together to do some shooting at a friends' farm near Peru, NY. He had a friend show up who also reloaded, ( I had reloaded 30 06 for a while), and he handed me some of his reloads. Foolishly, I loaded these "Reloads" into my 1943 O2A3 and blew the rifle apart. The strength of the rifle saved me from major injury. I had powder burns around my right eye protected by my shooting glasses. Pieces of shell casing in my right thumb and hellacious ringing in my ears, (using pathetic Army earplugs). The rifle suffered a cracked stock at the wrist, and a broken extractor. Years later I sold the rifle off as a parts rifle and still regret it to this day. Lesson was learned for a lifetime. Shoot only ammo that is factory or from a severely trusted source. After the destruction of the rifle at the range, I asked more questions of the reloader, (I had already asked him details on his load and it passed my knowledge teat at the time.). It turns out that he had used magnum rifle primers. No idea on what the actual powder charge was as it was burned up, nor the bullet seating depth or if he crimped it, (not needed on this cartridge and configuration).
I purchased a lot of reloading equipment and at one time I got several cans of smokeless powder for a very good price but when I checked the powder that was in the cans I could see that somebody had mixed different powders in the cans and had ruined the powder for any kind of safe use so I just got rid of that stuff but beware when you’re buying used stuff and be safe when reloading. Glad everyone is okay.
I pulled a few of what I believe was something like "Winchester super clean" It's been a while so I'm not sure if that's the exact name but its something similar if that's not it. I tried maybe 5 or 10 rounds before I was very uncomfortable with it then put them on the shelf. Every single round left chunks of powder in the entire barrel and receiver. Eventually I pulled around 2 boxes worth, ( about a 100 rounds) The powder, Looks weird, Has a strange smell. And several different grain sizes. To me it looks like several different very old powders. Its definitely not what I expect from factory loads. Nothing suprises me with Winchester though. (Rounds were From a shop not a random auction or anything like that)
Dad had a American Enfield. And a couple of boxes of foreign military 30-06. Broke the extractor trying to remove a spent case. As a range officer, I witnessed a patron shooting a foreign handgun & ammunition. Had to forbid him shooting the ammunition because the casings were splitting.
A few things I learned; Never open the containers of two different powders at the same time. I always seat the bullet immediately after dropping the powder instead of filling all cases then seating the bullets. If using smokeless powder in old black powder cases, weigh the finished cartridges. If one is heavier than the rest, suspect an overcharge. I learned a lesson when I wrecked a modern ‘86 Winchester when somehow I overcharged the case. Luckily the damage was contained inside the barrel and receiver. In antique guns, it’s wise to not use smokeless powder at all.
Im very new to shooting and I know a lot of reloders and thay say never use what you haven't reloded yourself, it's a fritening lesson but every one should know about it. Thank you for sharing it.
Just watched your video and very grateful for it. I've just bought a Pedersoli Sharps in 40-65 and it's come with some reloaded ammo. I weighed the rounds and they're all within a couple of grains. I've fired a few but it never occurred to me the powders could have got in a muddle. I'll pull all the rest of these rounds and reload them myself. Thank you
I am a collector of antique lever action rifles. I love to shoot them. Doesn't matter where the ammo comes from, I'm always a little nervous. Reloads are out of the question. I don't want to injure myself and I certainly don't want to damage one of these beautiful pieces of history. There are certain things you should never try to save money on. Ammo should be at the top of that list.
Great point! I think many shooters are taking chances these days on ammo because of the high cost and limited availability. I hope this episode showed that it's just not worth it.
I’ll tell you what I think happened, because almost the exact same scenario came into my buddies gun shop a few years ago.Only with a REM 700 in 300 win mag. The receiver ring was split along the right side bolt rail, the barrel was found 30 yards down range and the bolt face/remainder of the receiver ring was jammed completely full of the brass case that had sledged itself into the spaces between the bolt and barrel during normal lock up. The front of the bolt, that thin ring that holds the extractor was completely separated.The mag box and front half of the trigger housing were blown downward and held together with the rear action screw. Just like your guy this guy’s left arm was full of stock splinters and several cuts but he was alive to tell about it. Upon examination of the 2nd bullet that he would have shot my friend at the gun repair shop found a charge that consisted of a hap hazard mix of W231 and H4831SC. These is strong speculation that the explosive charge was the Harrell powder measure equivalent of 74 gr of W231. The gun owner admitted that he had loaded several hundred rounds of 45ACP a few months before and the 300 mag bullets were the 1st reloads after that. He didn’t see any powder in the measure bottle so he filled it up with the H4831SC dialed up his intended and apparently trusted charge and started loading. Being careless and in a hurry are two things than can not be tolerated when reloading. The only reloads I shoot are mine and mine alone and I never offer my reload to anyone.
I am *so* glad nobody was seriously hurt. This example certainly drives the point home, that I have always adhered to. *Never* trust a reload you didn't (carefully) make yourself. Thanks for sharing!
Reloading is a exercise in paying attention. I am 67, I have been reloading since was 15. I have never had a insistence. I have seen however lots of stupid stuff in the gunsmith shop. Once a fellow came in with a blown up 1911. I asked him what his load was. He told me a scoop. I asked what size scoop. He said the perfect scoop, I soldered a 45 case to a piece of coat hanger wire. I'm not kidding.
Wow Mark that's unreal! I completely agree with your stance of breaking down unknown reloads. What a shame that old Winchester is no more ☹️ That pic of the smokeless, the discs look an awful lot like Unique. Who knows what the finer ball powder is. I don't know why anyone would want to mix smokeless powders like that
This is a very lucky lesson that can be shared about. It’s fortuitous that nobody was hurt! I’ve been very fortunate as I started handloading without knowing much and have had stuck cases and blown primers and even some funny underloaded shots he’ll loads but never had one so overpressured to cause chamber explosions!
I have been a reloader for 60-years, beginning with a Lyman 310 tool in .22 Hornet in 1962. I cast alll my own lead bullets and I have never had an accident or incident involving my handloads in all those years. With another of your commentors I do not load for others, although I have been asked many times. I have allowed individuals to watch on occasion, but without conversation or comment while I am loading. People need to roll their own, that way they will develop the discipline needed to do so safely. Thanks for the video.
As a 18 year old I was given some 3” 20 ga handloads on a pheasant hunt. I had been hand loading since I was 12 and was always against shooting anything I didn’t load. But the guy who gave them to me was a pretty famous writer who wrote in upland hunting magazines so I figured they’d be okay. That day a rooster jumped right at my feet and when I pulled the trigger on my old SxS it sounded like a pop gun and I could see the pellets fly about 3 feet out of my barrel as the roaster powered off unscathed. At least it didn’t blow anything up but I learned my lesson to NEVER shoot handloads that you yourself didn’t assemble. All I could figure is he forgot to drop the powder and that was just the primer going off. And the wad was stuck about half way down my barrel- thank goodness in had the experience to check the barrel for obstructions or the next factory round I shot that day would’ve blown my gun and possibly me up
Difficult video all the way around, you did a great job and service. Glad pictures were taken of the powder and you knocked one down. Really greatful to the shooter he wasn't hurt worse and he helped with the project. Thanks Mark.
I should have mentioned that there was no air gap in the cartridge I broke down. Doesn't mean there wasn't one in the cartridge that detonated. The mixed smokeless powder found in the other case is more suspect to me
Wow, didn't expect this video to be so educational, saw the title and thought another boring video someone has posted on this topic but was pleasantly surprised. Just hit the subscribe button, thanks mate
I had one brown pants moment with my hand loads. I’d written down my procedure in detail. Even shared it on a major forum and didn’t get any negative comments. It worked fine for 45 ACP and 38 Special. However, the 357 Sig cartridge is very short and I was loading a slightly compressed load. No where near max - at least that was the plan. I was developing a load and planning to shoot a ladder of loads. The instant I pulled the trigger on the 5th or 6th round I was terrified. Put the pistol down. Chronograph read a bit over 1,600 fps. Worst part was I didn’t know what my mistake was. I sure didn’t shoot any more that day. It wasn’t until a month later when I was loading another cartridge (no more 357 Sig for me, thank you) that I noticed a little powder around the press. I stopped and looked everywhere to figure out how it got out. There were just a few kernels on the expander die. In my quest for efficiency on a turret press, my procedure for loading ladders included expanding the case AFTER adding the powder charge. DON’T DO THAT. Yes, it’s obvious in hindsight but I didn’t think about the possibility of the expander die picking up a few bits of powder from one case and adding them to another. I had been reloading for a few years when this happened. I was meticulously making loads to work up a new, to me, cartridge. My mistake wasn’t catastrophic but it sure scared the daylights out of me.
Thank you for the graphic display of what can happens with reloads. The buyer could have been blinded, disfigured or disabled. I always fire factory ammo, not being a “tinkerer.” I was given a box of 44 magnum cartridges represented as “factory.” I disposed of them after firing two-one key holed at 10 yards, the other hit 12 inches from point of aim. Never again. Perry Pappous
Almost fifty years of reloading. It's a passion of mine. As soon as I saw the photo of the mystery powder I let out a big UhOh!!! Great video. Good subject. I'm glad nobody was seriously injured. My all-time favorite load is a Lyman 270gr cast bullet with 15grs of Herco. In a 375 Holland case. 1300fps. Small charge in a big case. Gotta be careful to the max. Good habits are paramount. Shoots wonderfully! Stay safe. Enjoy.
Really good reminder that temptation to fire unknown reloads is always a bad idea. Haven't done it myself, but I have been tempted LOL! Seeing that prize being ruined is a good second rap on the head...
Wow ! I am glad the shooter is O K . I remember hearing about a similar situation . When things were investigated , it was found that the person reloading had been drinking. He was not careful to examine his powder hopper. the bottom of the hopper still had pistol powder in it .He simply poured in the rifle powder on top of the old powder. The first few reloads were charged with the pistol powder and blew up his gun.
Thank you for sharing this valuable information and experience. I pray people pay attention to your words of wisdom on this! Back some years ago I had a barrel bulge by a reload from someone I knew and trusted... Then and there is when I decided never again! I make my own BP now for the stuffers and cartridges, caps are handmade and loaded with H48 compound, primers are reloaded with H48 (sure is good to have friends who reload and give me their used LP primers). One of these days, I'll work on figuring out how to make the cups and anvils. Sure is good to hear the gentleman wasn't seriously injured or worse.
There is Absolutely no reason whatsoever for this type of negligence. Whoever the idiot was that made those bombs has no business reloading. Good video
Mark, thank you for another excellent safety video. I had never heard of someone accidentally mixing several types of smokeless propellant but this reinforces the need to be thoroughly organised at the loading bench, doing one step at a time and writing down every step as you go. I find that the last step is most critical in avoiding distraction and maintaining my loading discipline. I read my first reloading manual, the Lyman 47th edition (the last version to follow John Barlow’s principals in regard to plentiful, highly visible safety warnings) from end to end, at least twice, before starting to reload. I also went through military (explosive) demolitions training, prior to obtaining my firearms licence. I have learnt that even factory ammunition and military munitions can go wrong, so you always have to be careful. We had a Regular Force (RF) corporal in another engineering squadron who pulled the tab on a smoke grenade which went off straight away. The tiny explosive charge injured one of his eyes. He improved his water treatment knowledge to a civilian certificate level, and found a good job in municipal water treatment. By the time he was released from RF service his eye was fully recovered and he became the Assault Pioneer Sergeant for the local Territorial Force (TF) infantry company. A very lucky man.
I feel bad for for the gentleman, sad for the rifle! However you sharing this information is a great thing. We can all learn a lot at the expense of someone else's misfortunes. One of my superpowers is learning things the hard way. Reloads won't be one of those things!
I shoot at a indoor range and find loaded ammo on the floor quite often. I take it home and break it down and reuse the components except for the powder. It goes in the flower beds.
I had factory Remington 300wsm ammo lock up the bolt solid on my Savage 11 , I thought they were some kind of overloaded reloads, sent them to Remington, they said they were correct, no other factory ammo gave a problem, I also reloaded for the gun, did have to keep them a bit under max, but again no problems. Also your gun looked almost like my wife's 243 Winchester 100 when it slam fired from an open bolt, due to their faulty firing pins, factory ammo. Thanks for an excellent video .
Very interesting. I'm new to reloading and this is a lesson my "mentors" have been making clear. I recently acquired 3 dozen 30/30 rounds that I pulled apart in a video last night. They are going to become 32 Special rounds for my rifle and MY rifle only. Thanks for sharing this!
Black powder no air gap aside, all my reloads (including experimental) are reloaded in such a way as to prevent bullet seating (overflow) in double charges and a manual scale is set up beside the electronic. If the two don't jive periodically, the lot gets dumped and redo commences. As for experimentals, extensive research/prediction then testing/evaluating is done at the lower to mid range, then high range if even necessary. No experimentals leave the range as completed ammo. I have found in most cases target velocities and pressure signs are reached at less powder than an educated guess would assume. And you know what happens when you assume. Best advise: in a world where everyone is in a rush to keep up with everyone else, the best way to prevent mistakes is to slow down.
Are you aware of detonation caused by to little powder in case. Might be a likely cause being this was a black powder cartridge with large case capacity. When loading modern powders to much case volume can be dangerous. A buddy had a 45 - 120 if he used modern powder wads where required to lessen to cases volume to prevent detonation. Just a thought to consider.
Thank you, I appreciate the safety reminder. Safety is the best topic of conversation, weather it includes firearms and ammunition, and any other technological safety.🙂👍
If you leave an air gap in black powder it will explode rather than propel the bullet, and create excessive pressure upwards of 100,000 psi, it’s very important for the to be no Air gap in loading black powder
@@thecinnabar8442 That’s good to know, that’s one reason I don’t like loading black powder because you can’t do anything but maximum loads unless you use a something to fill the gap, but if they use some kind of pistol powder in there they would’ve definitely created a grenade, A friend of mine gave me some 38-55 loads that were supposed to be factory, but because the box was opened I pulled the charges to check if it was really factory, they were but it made me nervous anyhow, I agree that reloading can be very dangerous if not done properly, thank you for sharing this reminder
What a sad end to a high condition rifle! Many thanks for posting this video, it well presses home the need to know exactly what we are shooting through our guns, I would NEVER shoot a reload from another person, some people are all together too sloppy when reloading, watching TV or chatting away to someone, and it is so easy to become distracted, with black powder you cannot get enough powder in a cartridge of any calibre to cause over pressure, but with smokeless you only need to look at a full load of Bullseye for a Colt 45 to see how easy it is to get a double charge in a case if you do not have a strict sequence of loading, I have seen rifles explode at the range, and we an take no comfort in the fact that no one was killed or maimed as the next time, they could be! Stay safe ! Chris B.
I double charge the last cartridge in a block or group so my visual inspection is informed. With .45 Colt the difference between one & two charges isn't going going to be as dramatic as you might expect-you have to triple charge it to fill the case. DOUGout
@@dougreid2351 Not going to be as dramatic as I expect! I would think that 10 grns of Bullseye in a Colt 45 would tend to have somewhat of a deleterious effect!
Yes those old pistol rounds were designed for BP and it's easy to overload them with 'fairy dust'.... and sometimes a lower-than usual load can take a pistol apart..... very light charges of HS6 were the prime culprits for that.... even a double charge would not have taken the whole top off the gun like I saw on two or three occasions. They make very bulky powders now for this task, and also ones that are not position sensitive. I did some checks with HS6 back in the 90s..... middling sort of load but on successive rounds shaken to the front, then the back of the case. The velocity difference was about 40%.... a sign that all was not well in there. Hogdon then cam out with Titegroup and I did the same experiment and the velocity difference was negligible, less than 2%.... problem solved. So very small loads can be just as dangerous as gross overloads... more so in some ways because the level of destruction I have seen would not occur with a normal overload....
@@KathrynLiz1 I am very suspicious about very small amounts of "modern" powder in large BP cases, and the position of the powder on firing is very critical I feel, I always put a light foam wad between powder and projectile to keep the position constant, this has never caused a problem providing the whole space is taken up, am am particularly wary when loading 577 Nitro Express as the volume of propellent is considerable, but of course does not fill the case as Cordite did! Chris B.
glad this whole thing ended well .. My brother in-law likes to load his colt 1911 quite hot , on top of that he reloads aluminium casings hot quite often .. I won't shoot any of his ammo when we go out and I always stand way back .. seen many of his shells deform . I keep telling him it's all just a matter of time ! I load mine factory spec and never had a problem.. that fellow must have just grabbed some mix can of powder as you said .. What a shame for the rifle , but I am glad the lord was with him that day ! I hope everyone sees this vid that shoots reloads ..
"he doesn't shoot reloads he doesn't load himself" that's the key. I reload and shoot MY OWN reloads. Don't trust anything you didn't load yourself. I couldn't find load data for some 45 ACP and couldn't get the website to load. I called a fellow loader and asked him what he loads them at. It seemed high so I waited until I could get my data to load. What he recommended was nearly double the safe charge. Never load without the correct data that you're 100% sure of.
This scares the hell out of me. I have bought and shot many reloads. I bought from people at gun shows that do reloading. I also bought some from an antique dealer that I bought a few rifles from. All has been good so far. And I still have some. I think they are all .25-20 for my model 92 winchesters.
I was William Ruger's personal assistant and general "Man Friday" back in the seventies. He showed me a very early 44 magnum Blackhawk that his grandson Kurt Vogel had shot and blown up. Mr. Ruger had an unlocked ammo storage cabinet in the garage and Kurt got his hands on some Remington red primer marked proof loads and looking at the aftermath; it looked like the cylinder and top strap blew apart simultaneously. There was a Marlin lever gun in 44 magnum in the unlocked glass front cabinet and I could not help, but wonder what would have happened if Kurt had picked that firearm. Fortunately Kurt was unharmed as he was only about fifteen at the time and was DEARLY loved by his grandfather.
You can replace "stuff" but skin and bone not so much. I am grateful the owner wasn't hurt other than his feelings. I have been reloading for almost 50 years and have never had a mishap (knock on wood) but I have always erred on the side of caution. I shoot these old guns and I own several Winchester lever guns which I reload for all of them. I fully agree with all that you have said. Never take anything for chance and when in doubt pull the bullet out...
I have been an ammuntion technician most of my life, and in almost every case of breech explosions caused by reloaded ammuniton, it is the use of the wrong powder that has been the cause. Either the reloader has selected an inappropriate powder and loading for the calibre or has not used the intended powder in a loading. In order of likelyhood, I would suggest that the following are the cause of breech explosions with reloads: 1. Leaving powder in a measure. Most powder measures hold at least a couple of loads of powder in the measure even though the hopper appears empty. The mistake is made by dumping powder B into the measure following a session (possibly months earlier!) when powder A has been used. The result is that the first few rounds are loaded with powder A instead of powder B. Invariably powder A is a fast powder and powder B is a slow one! Never leave powder in measures after a loading session. Always clear down the measure back into the original powder can and leave it clear. Always check again that the measure is empty before starting a new session. Do you also weigh the first and every tenth load dumped from the measure? Sure you do! Leaving measures full all the time is a really bad practice. The powder degrades faster in the open and they are a fire hazard. 2. Selecting the wrong powder. Never ever have more than one powder on the loading bench. Start a loading session by running a check on the required powder and only taking this to the bench. Always do a sniff test - any powder that smells of vinegar get rid of. When you are finished loading a batch of ammo, clear down and return the powder to store before starting on another batch. Do not do reloading when tired or distracted. 3. Never store recovered powder unless you know it has come from a known source and is all from the same batch. NEVER keep mixed recovered powder, it is useless and dangerous. Get rid of old powder as it arises either by burning or feeding to the roses (..it is basically fertilizer!) 4. Try to select loadings where the propellent fills at least 60% of the case. This will make it obvious that you have double loaded. Only ever use low volume loads of fast powder when making target loads. Be especially careful when checking these before loading the bullet. 5. Never be tempted to try and produce reduced power loads by underloading medium or slow burning powder. There is a hard to reproduce, but known phenominon where this can lead to detonation. Never use a slower powder than Unique for cast lead or reduced energy rifle loads. Look up appropriate loadings in the Lyman Lead Bullet Manual. 6. Always check that you have loaded powder before putting in a bullet. There is enough energy in a primer to send a bullet up the barrel to be met by the next round loaded. NEVER run a progressive press without a no-powder check station! Mr Cinnibar confuses the term "detonation" in this case. There is a difference between propellant burning and propellant detonating The breech failure is in this case down to burning overpressure not detonation. . It is possible for propellent to detonate (see 5 above) but in this case the fracture surfaces would be different as detonation has a cutting effect. Typically with detonation you get a "patch" blown out the side of the barrel roughly at the neck of the chamber.
I have been reloading since the mid 80’s. I started while living in Germany, and it was a requirement to take a school class before you could buy powder. I don’t use something I did not reload myself, and I don’t pass rounds to anyone since I don’t have a ammunition manufacturer license.
When I started reloading years ago, I read something that has always stuck with me. It said, " if you want chocolate cake, follow the chocolate cake recipe!
To reinforce what has been said in this thread, I would never consider OP (other people’s) reloads. That includes anything (“white box” non-commercial) for sale at gun shows. We were shooting our local DCM rifle match one Sunday morning and a guy was shooting his Garand, but the reports sounded off. Upon picking up an ejected case, we noticed classic overpressure signs- extruded and flattened primer, bright ring around the case head. We immediately called for a cease-fire, and found out that, sure enough, he was shooting gun show reloads. With a Garand, in particular, it is necessary to be shooting the correct loading, including a powder with the correct pressure curve. The old military loading was IMR-4895, but more contemporary powders with the same burn rate, like Varget, have been deemed suitable. Always follow published reloading data, start low and work up.
My reloading tip is to scan all cases together (sitting in a wooden reloading tray) after adding the powder. That makes spotting a double charge very easy because it will standout from the others. Also, I noted you made a point of using a kinetic bullet puller outside but were not wearing safety glasses. Maybe an oversight?
I don't know why you'd go outside to use the puller unless you were worried about an explosive bullet. Now that I am old, I wear safety glasses most of the time. The type with bifocals.
I must say I was very impressed by the ruggedness of that '94'slocking mechanism. Not a sign of that failing.... amazing. Looks as if the guy that loaded them used a BP charge but with fairy dust of the faster burning sort. I do occasionally load ammo for others (mostly hunters with high intensity smokeless rounds) and with most suitable powders for this, overloads of that magnitude are impossible as there's not enough case space for them, but still I check weigh every 10 rounds or so. I also double check what powder I have on the bench and only ONE can is on the bench at any one time, and in plain view. Making good ammo is not difficult, but it does require a measure of care. I also make sure that the client understands that I make no guarantee about the loads, although the very few that I load for know that I am careful (doubly so for someone else!).......Sad about that Winchester.... I don't shoot others' reloads though... distrustful I guess......
You're right. 1894's have a reputation for having a weak action. After seeing this accident, I don't agree. The barrel failed rather spectacularly, but the action appears to be undamaged.
Gives me the willy's. As a reloader for 35 years, I've double-charged and under-charged (no charge actually) several times. Thank goodness a 1911 is strong, as is the Marlin 1881. Whew! If I'm the one shooting the gun, I can usually tell by sound or feel if a round is not right. But when shooting quick, it's easy to cycle a fresh round in the chamber and pull the trigger. Learn to have a "stop" point in your shooting cycle.
One of my friends shoots 30-30 in a 94 and he asks me to do reloads for him since he doesn't have the gear and doesn't want to learn. Even so, i insist he watch me, verify every weight measurement I have, and when I reload for him, I clear everything from my bench including my junk powder bottle. The only thing on my bench is the projectiles, cases, scale, and a bottle of 3031. That man trusts me with his safety so I will do everything I can to make sure his ammo is safe, consistent, and he knows what is is getting because he saw it made. On top of that, having a second pair of eyes to mention double charging a case or some other error is never a bad idea to me
Thanks very much to all involved for this video, glad everyone is ok.This will be burned into my mind like other stories: - Don't rest your rifle across your hood - Don't lean your rifle against a vehicle/object - Don't go from a warm temp to a cold temp, leave the equipment in the same ambient temp as the conditions you will use it in(developes condensation in the bore/on scope lenses) - Keep some method of bore cleaning in your pack incase of a muzzle down trip/fall - Tape your muzzle to keep debris out All of these precautions come from stories that no one wants to be in. 1 Family members coworker took some shots at a buck across the hood of his new truck, after 3 shots the buck ran off. Confused, he looked down and saw 3 long bullet holes across his new hood 2 Lots of stories for rifles getting run over 3 Condensation freezing in a barrel cost a guy his cow elk draw and a rifle 4 Buddy took a spill and got snow in his muzzle, quick bore snake and good to go 5 Spuce needle bore obstruction ends a barrels career Be safe folks!
Looks like a duplex load. There are those handloaders out there who shoot black powder with the addition of small amounts of smokeless to keep fowling in bore down. A very nasty habit! A disaster waiting to happen.
A Duplex load, was what I had in mind as well. I know from on of my Kollegs at the shooting Range, that he have lost four Fingers of its right hand by loading a Duplex load in his Percusionrevolver and it explodet. After the exident he told me that he did it for quite a wile and it worked more ore less very good. The primer strated very well , the bore was easy to clean. Till he lost his fingers. Shit happens sometimes but in this casses it was pore stuppidety. Best regards from Bavaria -Germany.
In a brand new kimber, on the 1st magazine I had a squibb load that was in a new box of off brand 45acp. I didn't notice until the 2nd round ran into the bullet lodged in the barrel. Whew! I kept that bullet!
Good video. Hoping to stop by your shop some time this summer. I need a buckaroo Berger from the summer lake restaurant. Just subscribe to your channel and looking forward to the next video. God bless
That flaky stuff in the picture shure looks like pistol powder to me! So glad the shooter wasn't hurt bad. When I pull unknown loads, i use the powder for fertilizer straight away. Never leave it lying on my bench.
Being a handloader for decades, I cringe when I see people at gun shows buying reloads someone else put together. I've had many people ask me to handload for them and the answer is always no. I've never had an accident but I do not want the liability. Great content keep it up!
Same. A good friend asked me to walk him through the reloading process and even brought over some components. We loaded a mild starting load and as soon as we finished I said “This makes me cringe” and I just gave him replacement components.
You are so RIGHT! I have upset friends because I won't reload for them. A landowner friend of mine, where I hunt alot, had a grandson who wanted me to load some 30)06 for him and help him get his rifle accurate. I loaded to factory specs, nothing maximum or HOT, as they say. I told him never let your ammo sit out in the sun. I keep mine in a gym bag and covered with a towel. I had to tell him twice. I said, you do it again, IM DONE! I explained why. Well, he did it again. I said ok, we are done. I packed up and went to his grandfather's house and explained things to him. No, I didn't get kicked off property.
I been reloading for Dozens of people for 28yrs. I know what I'm doing. I'm not concerned about buying other people's reloads at Gun Shows either. That's how I started reloading from a guy at a Show 30+ yrs ago.
I saw people gobbling up anything and everything during the Shortage and "Scam-Demic"... I would just grit my teeth and roll my eyes....
Don't get me wrong, I buy them too if the price is right but I ALWAYS pull them apart and reload them myself....
@@jasonbuck489 hahaha
Like many here, I have been reloading for more than 45 years. There are a lot of rules I have. One that is cardinal, is that you only have one powder anywhere on the bench at a time. I have seen reloaders accidentally grab the wrong bottle of powder to top of the dispenser. Had a friend do it and luckily I was there and noticed it and commented. Could have been real bad as the one he grabbed was a pistol powder and he was reloading for a magnum rifle. Also, watching you pull that bullet, that rounds seemed to be way to tight in that case. Also could be a contributor to the accident. Very happy that he was not seriously injured. Thanks for sharing. I think that those of us that are experienced are the most likely to make mistakes because of the confidence that we have. Something to keep in mind.
I just repaired an 1873 for a former Marine who's been reloading for more than 50 years without an incident. He'd overloaded a 44-40 cartridge and bent the bolt and firing pin. Fortunately, nobody was hurt and the rifle was salvageable. I think it shook him up that he could make that mistake.
Years ago, at a place I worked, a fellow employee's father died. His son was cleaning out his stuff and came to work selling his dad's reloaded 12 gauge ammo which was labeled 00 buckshot. It had the recipe labeled on each box. I can't remember what it was now but I looked in my books at home and realized real quick, IT WAS HOT! DANGEROUSLY HOT! I brought it to the sons attention the next day and I was pretty much ignored. I told some guys that I knew, that bought some and I told them. They pretty much ignored me. I had the reputation at work of being over cautious. So I'm assuming that's why they ignored me. Well the following Monday morning came and one guy said he blew up his Mossberg shotgun. Luckily he wasn't hurt but he was upset.
Thanks David. That's a great story to share.
There is no such thing as overly cautious! Period.
When I was new to shooting I bought a Lee shotgun loader. Shooting out of a canoe my empties fell in the water in the bottom of the canoe. Shooting the reloads I noticed they were too quiet. I felt sick thinking about it. Yep, the power was wet. You can't be too careful.
Says a lot for John Browning’s 1894 action ,that the bolt stayed in !
I am 69 years young and started reloading when I was 19 and have always been very, very careful reloading and have always paid strict attention to every detail from the reloading manuals. Well, a few years back I went shooting at a local pit with a friend and that particular day one of the guns I brought along was a model 88 FN High Power chambered in, of course, 9mm. I had some reloads I had acquired sometime in the distant past and I thought that particular day would be a good time to use it up. Well I put one " clip "..........[ just kidding :-} :-} ] full through the gun then proceeded to reload another " clip ", or whatever you call those thingys.......emoji, emoji, emoji !!! Upon sending the second round down range the gun made the damndest sound. It wasn't a typical boom, but more like a loud hiss. A moment passed and my buddy Rob asked " What was that ???" And I replied " I dunno ". So I started looking over my gun and noticed that the new, purty wood stocks I had recently purchased for this beautiful gun [ uh, $125 ] were split, both panels. So I further inspected things and found there was no apparent damage to any other part of the gun and that the bullet had exited the barrel. However the case from that round was burst open just forward of the web and it had dumped that high pressure down into the magazine well......where the " clip " resides. Damn, I can't help myself this morning.....he he he he. What I think happened was that the person who reloaded that round double charged it with a fast burn rate powder. I personally do not and never have used " fast " powders as I like to ideally come close to filling the case with powder which necessitates using medium to slower burn rates. I have my reasons. However, I do not purchase any reloads from anybody and especially after that instance. I do not know why I even had those reloads other than I think someone may have given them to me. Anyway, that's my story on reloads, uh " somebody elses " reloads. Doug.
As someone who began reloading with my Dad back in the 70's and reload for many calibers myself, handgun and rifle. One rule I learned from Dad that I never break is to use a powder and load that fills the case volume at least 70-80%. I do this so it is impossible to double charge a case and not instantly see your mistake.
I started handloading when I was a teenager. I loaded thousands of rounds. When I moved out of state for work, my equipment stayed at my parents' house. I recently brought it to where I now live.
I'm itching to get back into production, but I have chosen to approach it as if I have no knowledge or experience. I'm doing my homework because it's worth the time.
I started reloading about 35 years ago. My local gun shop had a demonstration as part of a reloading equipment sale. It seemed straight forward enough. Learn the rules, understand why they are the rules and follow them scrupulously. Always used published reloading data, never go above or below suggested powder charges and constantly check that you have done what you set out to do. (For example, before bullet seating, check that each case has the same level of powder.)
One reason I reload is to have very consistent loads. Consistency leads to accuracy. I weigh each and every powder charge. It takes more time but this way I know that each powder charge is equal.
I do reload for friends but only when they are present and contributing. I insist they bring along their rifle so I can check for proper magazine loading and cycling of cartridges into and out of the action. You can carefully adjust cartridge overall length to get great bullet seating depth for accuracy and then find the cartridge won't fit into the magazine box. (That's a bit embarrassing.)
As for mixing powders, If you don't know why that's dead wrong (dramatic foreshadowing), you have no business reloading. Of course, you don't know what you don't know. That's why we have reloading manuals and courses.
Great comment, Shephen! Thanks for sharing.
As a 40 plus year reloader, good message & good reminder to build good & safe habits.
I do not store spilled, leftover, unidentified or tainted powders. I burn it off immediately.
There are no containers of mystery mix on my bench ever. Also avoid double charges. Set a system in place so that cannot happen.
I had a .30 Cal. Mauser C96 pistol when I was younger and purchased a box of unreloaded factory DWM ammo made in the 1930s at a gun show. One of the cartridges blew up at the base and broke the extractor and expanded the magazine well and also broke the magazine spring. I had the case examined at the hole in the base of the case and mercury particles were seen. The theory with my case blowout was that the mercuric priming compound had evaporated from out of the primer and into the case weakening the case and since the case was a balloon head case it didn't take much to compromise the structure of the case. I wasn't injured other than a tingling left hand because I was gripping the pistol over the magazine with the left hand. I repaired the damage and never fired balloon head cases ever again in any weapon. It was difficult to buy non balloon head .30 Mauser brass back in the early 1970s but was able to make the brass from .223 Remington brass. I had good solid head construction and never blew another case. I always reloaded with the correct powders, primers and with new untried cases would work up the loads SLOWLY to the correct system operating loads always checking for signs of overpressure.
Good point. Very old factory ammo can be very dangerous to shoot for a number of reasons. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Excellent video reminder. If you don't know what's in the reloaded case, it's best to not shoot it. Break it down and reload it yourself. My dad has been reloading since the 60's with no incidents and I've been reloading with him for a few years trying to learn everything I can and one of the first things he taught me was to never shoot someone else's reloads and never reload for someone else regardless of how much they're willing to pay. It is, like so many other have said, NOT worth the liability.
Exactly! Great policy to have
I'm glad the owner is ok. That could have been a much bigger disaster. Thank you for the explanation and breakdown of the incident. I hope you're doing well.
Thanks, Tex!
Qw1
You mean like Scott from Kentucky ballistics? That went really bad.
When I was a much younger man in the 90s.I bought a box full of 30 carbine components at a show.And there were a handful of loaded shells in the mix. There was a recipe written down with it all. It told the bullet weight and the charge weight I believe it was unique powder. I thought I would shoot him up at a stump down by the Creek. The 1st 2 shot fine the 3rd one locked the action. As it turns out it had cracked the bolt Carrier on my WW2 carbine. When pulling apart the rest of them I found one other that was a double charge. Luckily for me the gun was well built and in good condition and back then you could get new old stock bolts. I have shot at hundreds and hundreds of times in the last 30 years but never ever anyone else's handloads but my own. And have regularly torn down anyone else's that I have came across or ammunition that looked compromised.Thanks for your videos, I love those Winchesters.
I learned the lesson of not shooting someone’s else’s reloads when I was in my late teens when a hand load given me by a family friend badly damaged a beautiful little .222 Remington I was shooting at a crow. Fortunately the Remington model 722 (if I remember correctly) did not explode, but the primer blew and pieces of it and powder went into my cheek. The case was so stuck in the chamber the bolt had to be driven out with a 2x4. Took the rifle to a gunsmith to have the damaged extractor replaced and learned the throat was also damaged. The gun, which had been extremely accurate never shot well again. Hard to take when you are 17 and a poor farm boy.
Thanks for sharing that story. Hopefully, stories like these will keep someone else from learning the hard way.
Guess that's why you don't shoot at crows.
@@mjay4700 Actually I traded that rifle and (stupidly) an original very old .32 caliber muzzleloading squirrel rifle for a custom made and stocked 6mm/06 and shot many a crow and ground hog with it.
@@billfisher6708 Cool. Shooting crows doesn't bother me, I was a kid once with a BB gun. My original comment was meant to be humorous and imply that Crows are bad luck.
@@mjay4700 Not sure about them being bad luck, but on the farm, at least back then, they were considered pests. I took your comment as humorous. 😁😜
Alot of good advice in todays comments. My two cents: for pistol ctgs I load the whole block, DOUBLE-CHARGING the last catg, and then visually inspect all charges. When I know what a double charge looks like I think it would be easier to spot.
BTW, the tailgate talk makes me feel SO at home. THANKS!
DOUGout
And havin' a few square bales of hay makes it feel like yer just talkin' to a neighbor before ya start to do chores.
Years ago while up in he Adirondacks, we got together to do some shooting at a friends' farm near Peru, NY. He had a friend show up who also reloaded, ( I had reloaded 30 06 for a while), and he handed me some of his reloads. Foolishly, I loaded these "Reloads" into my 1943 O2A3 and blew the rifle apart. The strength of the rifle saved me from major injury. I had powder burns around my right eye protected by my shooting glasses. Pieces of shell casing in my right thumb and hellacious ringing in my ears, (using pathetic Army earplugs). The rifle suffered a cracked stock at the wrist, and a broken extractor. Years later I sold the rifle off as a parts rifle and still regret it to this day. Lesson was learned for a lifetime. Shoot only ammo that is factory or from a severely trusted source. After the destruction of the rifle at the range, I asked more questions of the reloader, (I had already asked him details on his load and it passed my knowledge teat at the time.). It turns out that he had used magnum rifle primers. No idea on what the actual powder charge was as it was burned up, nor the bullet seating depth or if he crimped it, (not needed on this cartridge and configuration).
I purchased a lot of reloading equipment and at one time I got several cans of smokeless powder for a very good price but when I checked the powder that was in the cans I could see that somebody had mixed different powders in the cans and had ruined the powder for any kind of safe use so I just got rid of that stuff but beware when you’re buying used stuff and be safe when reloading. Glad everyone is okay.
Good point, Flint. Thanks for sharing that experience.
I pulled a few of what I believe was something like "Winchester super clean"
It's been a while so I'm not sure if that's the exact name but its something similar if that's not it.
I tried maybe 5 or 10 rounds before I was very uncomfortable with it then put them on the shelf. Every single round left chunks of powder in the entire barrel and receiver.
Eventually I pulled around 2 boxes worth, ( about a 100 rounds)
The powder,
Looks weird,
Has a strange smell.
And several different grain sizes.
To me it looks like several different very old powders.
Its definitely not what I expect from factory loads. Nothing suprises me with Winchester though.
(Rounds were From a shop not a random auction or anything like that)
Years ago had a factory round damage A cylinder on a Ruger super, that thing was way overloaded
@@thecinnabar8442 I never buy someone's opened can of powder or reloads. You just never know.
I get rid of my mystery powders by using them on the lawn
Dad had a American Enfield. And a couple of boxes of foreign military 30-06. Broke the extractor trying to remove a spent case.
As a range officer, I witnessed a patron shooting a foreign handgun & ammunition. Had to forbid him shooting the ammunition because the casings were splitting.
A few things I learned; Never open the containers of two different powders at the same time. I always seat the bullet immediately after dropping the powder instead of filling all cases then seating the bullets. If using smokeless powder in old black powder cases, weigh the finished cartridges. If one is heavier than the rest, suspect an overcharge. I learned a lesson when I wrecked a modern ‘86 Winchester when somehow I overcharged the case. Luckily the damage was contained inside the barrel and receiver. In antique guns, it’s wise to not use smokeless powder at all.
Great comment! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Im very new to shooting and I know a lot of reloders and thay say never use what you haven't reloded yourself, it's a fritening lesson but every one should know about it. Thank you for sharing it.
Just watched your video and very grateful for it. I've just bought a Pedersoli Sharps in 40-65 and it's come with some reloaded ammo. I weighed the rounds and they're all within a couple of grains. I've fired a few but it never occurred to me the powders could have got in a muddle. I'll pull all the rest of these rounds and reload them myself. Thank you
That guy must have a serious guardian angel . If he was a cat he just used 8 lives.
I am a collector of antique lever action rifles. I love to shoot them. Doesn't matter where the ammo comes from, I'm always a little nervous. Reloads are out of the question. I don't want to injure myself and I certainly don't want to damage one of these beautiful pieces of history. There are certain things you should never try to save money on. Ammo should be at the top of that list.
Great point! I think many shooters are taking chances these days on ammo because of the high cost and limited availability. I hope this episode showed that it's just not worth it.
I’ll tell you what I think happened, because almost the exact same scenario came into my buddies gun shop a few years ago.Only with a REM 700 in 300 win mag. The receiver ring was split along the right side bolt rail, the barrel was found 30 yards down range and the bolt face/remainder of the receiver ring was jammed completely full of the brass case that had sledged itself into the spaces between the bolt and barrel during normal lock up. The front of the bolt, that thin ring that holds the extractor was completely separated.The mag box and front half of the trigger housing were blown downward and held together with the rear action screw. Just like your guy this guy’s left arm was full of stock splinters and several cuts but he was alive to tell about it. Upon examination of the 2nd bullet that he would have shot my friend at the gun repair shop found a charge that consisted of a hap hazard mix of W231 and H4831SC. These is strong speculation that the explosive charge was the Harrell powder measure equivalent of 74 gr of W231. The gun owner admitted that he had loaded several hundred rounds of 45ACP a few months before and the 300 mag bullets were the 1st reloads after that. He didn’t see any powder in the measure bottle so he filled it up with the H4831SC dialed up his intended and apparently trusted charge and started loading.
Being careless and in a hurry are two things than can not be tolerated when reloading. The only reloads I shoot are mine and mine alone and I never offer my reload to anyone.
Wow! Sounds like that rifle really grenaded! Thanks for sharing that story.
I am *so* glad nobody was seriously hurt. This example certainly drives the point home, that I have always adhered to.
*Never* trust a reload you didn't (carefully) make yourself. Thanks for sharing!
Reloading is a exercise in paying attention.
I am 67, I have been reloading since was 15. I have never had a insistence.
I have seen however lots of stupid stuff in the gunsmith shop. Once a fellow came in
with a blown up 1911. I asked him what his load was. He told me a scoop. I asked what size scoop. He said the perfect scoop, I soldered a 45 case to a piece of coat hanger wire.
I'm not kidding.
Wow! And some of his reloads may still be out there waiting for someone to take a chance and shoot them.
Wow Mark that's unreal! I completely agree with your stance of breaking down unknown reloads. What a shame that old Winchester is no more ☹️ That pic of the smokeless, the discs look an awful lot like Unique. Who knows what the finer ball powder is. I don't know why anyone would want to mix smokeless powders like that
I thought it looked like Unique, too.
This is a very lucky lesson that can be shared about. It’s fortuitous that nobody was hurt! I’ve been very fortunate as I started handloading without knowing much and have had stuck cases and blown primers and even some funny underloaded shots he’ll loads but never had one so overpressured to cause chamber explosions!
Keep up the good work man. Livin the dream
Thanks! Will do!
I have been a reloader for 60-years, beginning with a Lyman 310 tool in .22 Hornet in 1962. I cast alll my own lead bullets and I have never had an accident or incident involving my handloads in all those years. With another of your commentors I do not load for others, although I have been asked many times. I have allowed individuals to watch on occasion, but without conversation or comment while I am loading. People need to roll their own, that way they will develop the discipline needed to do so safely. Thanks for the video.
As a 18 year old I was given some 3” 20 ga handloads on a pheasant hunt. I had been hand loading since I was 12 and was always against shooting anything I didn’t load. But the guy who gave them to me was a pretty famous writer who wrote in upland hunting magazines so I figured they’d be okay. That day a rooster jumped right at my feet and when I pulled the trigger on my old SxS it sounded like a pop gun and I could see the pellets fly about 3 feet out of my barrel as the roaster powered off unscathed. At least it didn’t blow anything up but I learned my lesson to NEVER shoot handloads that you yourself didn’t assemble. All I could figure is he forgot to drop the powder and that was just the primer going off. And the wad was stuck about half way down my barrel- thank goodness in had the experience to check the barrel for obstructions or the next factory round I shot that day would’ve blown my gun and possibly me up
Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks for sharing, always good to have a learning experience to show people what can happen and to be careful when reloading!
Great detective work, and thanks for the warning, Mark. I am enjoying all of your videos, and love to see how the channel is growing.
Difficult video all the way around, you did a great job and service. Glad pictures were taken of the powder and you knocked one down. Really greatful to the shooter he wasn't hurt worse and he helped with the project.
Thanks Mark.
Even if you hand-loaded one million, it's that ONE that will hurt you or your gun....
Very well could have been an air gap problem? Like the old Butte miners used to say " tamp her light "!!!
I should have mentioned that there was no air gap in the cartridge I broke down. Doesn't mean there wasn't one in the cartridge that detonated. The mixed smokeless powder found in the other case is more suspect to me
Wow, didn't expect this video to be so educational, saw the title and thought another boring video someone has posted on this topic but was pleasantly surprised. Just hit the subscribe button, thanks mate
Thanks Gavin! Enjoy the channel
I had one brown pants moment with my hand loads. I’d written down my procedure in detail. Even shared it on a major forum and didn’t get any negative comments. It worked fine for 45 ACP and 38 Special. However, the 357 Sig cartridge is very short and I was loading a slightly compressed load. No where near max - at least that was the plan. I was developing a load and planning to shoot a ladder of loads. The instant I pulled the trigger on the 5th or 6th round I was terrified. Put the pistol down. Chronograph read a bit over 1,600 fps.
Worst part was I didn’t know what my mistake was. I sure didn’t shoot any more that day. It wasn’t until a month later when I was loading another cartridge (no more 357 Sig for me, thank you) that I noticed a little powder around the press. I stopped and looked everywhere to figure out how it got out. There were just a few kernels on the expander die. In my quest for efficiency on a turret press, my procedure for loading ladders included expanding the case AFTER adding the powder charge. DON’T DO THAT. Yes, it’s obvious in hindsight but I didn’t think about the possibility of the expander die picking up a few bits of powder from one case and adding them to another.
I had been reloading for a few years when this happened. I was meticulously making loads to work up a new, to me, cartridge. My mistake wasn’t catastrophic but it sure scared the daylights out of me.
Thank you for the graphic display of what can happens with reloads. The buyer could have been blinded, disfigured or disabled. I always fire factory ammo, not being a “tinkerer.” I was given a box of 44 magnum cartridges represented as “factory.” I disposed of them after firing two-one key holed at 10 yards, the other hit 12 inches from point of aim. Never again. Perry Pappous
Several errors conspired to get this titanic accident to take place.
Almost fifty years of reloading. It's a passion of mine. As soon as I saw the photo of the mystery powder I let out a big UhOh!!! Great video. Good subject. I'm glad nobody was seriously injured. My all-time favorite load is a Lyman 270gr cast bullet with 15grs of Herco. In a 375 Holland case.
1300fps. Small charge in a big case. Gotta be careful to the max. Good habits are paramount. Shoots wonderfully! Stay safe. Enjoy.
Really good reminder that temptation to fire unknown reloads is always a bad idea. Haven't done it myself, but I have been tempted LOL! Seeing that prize being ruined is a good second rap on the head...
Wow ! I am glad the shooter is O K . I remember hearing about a similar situation . When things were investigated , it was found that the person reloading had been drinking. He was not careful to examine his powder hopper. the bottom of the hopper still had pistol powder in it .He simply poured in the rifle powder on top of the old powder. The first few reloads were charged with the pistol powder and blew up his gun.
Wow! Scary story.
Oh my thank God he wasn’t hurt! Very scary!👍🏽😀❤️🇺🇸
Thank you for sharing this valuable information and experience. I pray people pay attention to your words of wisdom on this!
Back some years ago I had a barrel bulge by a reload from someone I knew and trusted...
Then and there is when I decided never again!
I make my own BP now for the stuffers and cartridges, caps are handmade and loaded with H48 compound, primers are reloaded with H48 (sure is good to have friends who reload and give me their used LP primers). One of these days, I'll work on figuring out how to make the cups and anvils.
Sure is good to hear the gentleman wasn't seriously injured or worse.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Been hearing lots of stories like yours since posting this episode.
There is Absolutely no reason whatsoever for this type of negligence. Whoever the idiot was that made those bombs has no business reloading.
Good video
Good video Mark, a good heads up and reminder to us all.
Thanks Mark!
Glad the shooter is OK! Thank you for sharing this info.!
Mark, thank you for another excellent safety video. I had never heard of someone accidentally mixing several types of smokeless propellant but this reinforces the need to be thoroughly organised at the loading bench, doing one step at a time and writing down every step as you go. I find that the last step is most critical in avoiding distraction and maintaining my loading discipline.
I read my first reloading manual, the Lyman 47th edition (the last version to follow John Barlow’s principals in regard to plentiful, highly visible safety warnings) from end to end, at least twice, before starting to reload.
I also went through military (explosive) demolitions training, prior to obtaining my firearms licence. I have learnt that even factory ammunition and military munitions can go wrong, so you always have to be careful. We had a Regular Force (RF) corporal in another engineering squadron who pulled the tab on a smoke grenade which went off straight away. The tiny explosive charge injured one of his eyes. He improved his water treatment knowledge to a civilian certificate level, and found a good job in municipal water treatment. By the time he was released from RF service his eye was fully recovered and he became the Assault Pioneer Sergeant for the local Territorial Force (TF) infantry company. A very lucky man.
Thanks for sharing that story, Michael
I feel bad for for the gentleman, sad for the rifle! However you sharing this information is a great thing. We can all learn a lot at the expense of someone else's misfortunes. One of my superpowers is learning things the hard way. Reloads won't be one of those things!
Thanks Chris! Stay safe out there.
@@thecinnabar8442 yes sir,you too!
I shoot at a indoor range and find loaded ammo on the floor quite often. I take it home and break it down and reuse the components except for the powder. It goes in the flower beds.
Glad he didn't get hurt. Thanks for passing on the intel.
I had factory Remington 300wsm ammo lock up the bolt solid on my Savage 11 , I thought they were some kind of overloaded reloads, sent them to Remington, they said they were correct, no other factory ammo gave a problem, I also reloaded for the gun, did have to keep them a bit under max, but again no problems. Also your gun looked almost like my wife's 243 Winchester 100 when it slam fired from an open bolt, due to their faulty firing pins, factory ammo. Thanks for an excellent video .
Great lesson to be learned. Thanks for sharing the story Mark.
You bet
Thanks for that. All the best.
Very interesting. I'm new to reloading and this is a lesson my "mentors" have been making clear. I recently acquired 3 dozen 30/30 rounds that I pulled apart in a video last night. They are going to become 32 Special rounds for my rifle and MY rifle only. Thanks for sharing this!
You're very welcome, Marc
One thing to keep in mind doing this with your own reloads is one thing. Another man's reloads are like his wife. You shouldn't make them go bang.
Black powder no air gap aside, all my reloads (including experimental) are reloaded in such a way as to prevent bullet seating (overflow) in double charges and a manual scale is set up beside the electronic. If the two don't jive periodically, the lot gets dumped and redo commences.
As for experimentals, extensive research/prediction then testing/evaluating is done at the lower to mid range, then high range if even necessary. No experimentals leave the range as completed ammo.
I have found in most cases target velocities and pressure signs are reached at less powder than an educated guess would assume. And you know what happens when you assume. Best advise: in a world where everyone is in a rush to keep up with everyone else, the best way to prevent mistakes is to slow down.
Great video and very true, thanks for sharing.
Are you aware of detonation caused by to little powder in case. Might be a likely cause being this was a black powder cartridge with large case capacity. When loading modern powders to much case volume can be dangerous. A buddy had a 45 - 120 if he used modern powder wads where required to lessen to cases volume to prevent detonation. Just a thought to consider.
Excellent video!
Thank you, I appreciate the safety reminder. Safety is the best topic of conversation, weather it includes firearms and ammunition, and any other technological safety.🙂👍
If you leave an air gap in black powder it will explode rather than propel the bullet, and create excessive pressure upwards of 100,000 psi, it’s very important for the to be no Air gap in loading black powder
Thanks Jeremy. I should have mentioned that. There was no air gap in the load I broke down.
@@thecinnabar8442 That’s good to know, that’s one reason I don’t like loading black powder because you can’t do anything but maximum loads unless you use a something to fill the gap, but if they use some kind of pistol powder in there they would’ve definitely created a grenade, A friend of mine gave me some 38-55 loads that were supposed to be factory, but because the box was opened I pulled the charges to check if it was really factory, they were but it made me nervous anyhow, I agree that reloading can be very dangerous if not done properly, thank you for sharing this reminder
What a sad end to a high condition rifle! Many thanks for posting this video, it well presses home the need to know exactly what we are shooting through our guns, I would NEVER shoot a reload from another person, some people are all together too sloppy when reloading, watching TV or chatting away to someone, and it is so easy to become distracted, with black powder you cannot get enough powder in a cartridge of any calibre to cause over pressure, but with smokeless you only need to look at a full load of Bullseye for a Colt 45 to see how easy it is to get a double charge in a case if you do not have a strict sequence of loading, I have seen rifles explode at the range, and we an take no comfort in the fact that no one was killed or maimed as the next time, they could be! Stay safe ! Chris B.
Good point, Chris!
I double charge the last cartridge in a block or group so my visual inspection is informed. With .45 Colt the difference between one & two charges isn't going going to be as dramatic as you might expect-you have to triple charge it to fill the case.
DOUGout
@@dougreid2351 Not going to be as dramatic as I expect! I would think that 10 grns of Bullseye in a Colt 45 would tend to have somewhat of a deleterious effect!
Yes those old pistol rounds were designed for BP and it's easy to overload them with 'fairy dust'.... and sometimes a lower-than usual load can take a pistol apart..... very light charges of HS6 were the prime culprits for that.... even a double charge would not have taken the whole top off the gun like I saw on two or three occasions. They make very bulky powders now for this task, and also ones that are not position sensitive.
I did some checks with HS6 back in the 90s..... middling sort of load but on successive rounds shaken to the front, then the back of the case. The velocity difference was about 40%.... a sign that all was not well in there. Hogdon then cam out with Titegroup and I did the same experiment and the velocity difference was negligible, less than 2%.... problem solved.
So very small loads can be just as dangerous as gross overloads... more so in some ways because the level of destruction I have seen would not occur with a normal overload....
@@KathrynLiz1 I am very suspicious about very small amounts of "modern" powder in large BP cases, and the position of the powder on firing is very critical I feel, I always put a light foam wad between powder and projectile to keep the position constant, this has never caused a problem providing the whole space is taken up, am am particularly wary when loading 577 Nitro Express as the volume of propellent is considerable, but of course does not fill the case as Cordite did! Chris B.
glad this whole thing ended well .. My brother in-law likes to load his colt 1911 quite hot , on top of that he reloads aluminium casings hot quite often .. I won't shoot any of his ammo when we go out and I always stand way back .. seen many of his shells deform . I keep telling him it's all just a matter of time ! I load mine factory spec and never had a problem.. that fellow must have just grabbed some mix can of powder as you said .. What a shame for the rifle , but I am glad the lord was with him that day ! I hope everyone sees this vid that shoots reloads ..
Wow 😮🤕😳😮 Thank Goodness No One Was Injured Mark Talk About a Big Kaboom Holy Cow & That Poor Old 94 Winchester 😭😭😭
Thanks for the lesson, glad the guy is okay, could’ve been a lot worse
Reloading is about intelligence and care. Knuckleheads need not apply.
Top 3 channel on CZcams
Thanks a bunch!
Really Good Stuff my Friend.
I've only seen one similar catastrophic failure. It was caused by a handloader that mistook some fast pistol powder for his usual slow rifle powder.
"he doesn't shoot reloads he doesn't load himself" that's the key.
I reload and shoot MY OWN reloads. Don't trust anything you didn't load yourself.
I couldn't find load data for some 45 ACP and couldn't get the website to load. I called a fellow loader and asked him what he loads them at. It seemed high so I waited until I could get my data to load.
What he recommended was nearly double the safe charge. Never load without the correct data that you're 100% sure of.
Very good explanation on this subject.
This scares the hell out of me. I have bought and shot many reloads. I bought from people at gun shows that do reloading. I also bought some from an antique dealer that I bought a few rifles from. All has been good so far. And I still have some. I think they are all .25-20 for my model 92 winchesters.
It is a shame that some people have to learn the hard way. It's fortunate he wasn't injured, but the rifle paid the price.
I was William Ruger's personal assistant and general "Man Friday" back in the seventies. He showed me a very early 44 magnum Blackhawk that his grandson Kurt Vogel had shot and blown up. Mr. Ruger had an unlocked ammo storage cabinet in the garage and Kurt got his hands on some Remington red primer marked proof loads and looking at the aftermath; it looked like the cylinder and top strap blew apart simultaneously. There was a Marlin lever gun in 44 magnum in the unlocked glass front cabinet and I could not help, but wonder what would have happened if Kurt had picked that firearm. Fortunately Kurt was unharmed as he was only about fifteen at the time and was DEARLY loved by his grandfather.
Thanks for sharing that story, Christian!
You can replace "stuff" but skin and bone not so much. I am grateful the owner wasn't hurt other than his feelings. I have been reloading for almost 50 years and have never had a mishap (knock on wood) but I have always erred on the side of caution. I shoot these old guns and I own several Winchester lever guns which I reload for all of them. I fully agree with all that you have said. Never take anything for chance and when in doubt pull the bullet out...
That rifle WAS a gem! Very unfortunate.
Not someone else’s. Ever.
I have been an ammuntion technician most of my life, and in almost every case of breech explosions caused by reloaded ammuniton, it is the use of the wrong powder that has been the cause. Either the reloader has selected an inappropriate powder and loading for the calibre or has not used the intended powder in a loading. In order of likelyhood, I would suggest that the following are the cause of breech explosions with reloads:
1. Leaving powder in a measure. Most powder measures hold at least a couple of loads of powder in the measure even though the hopper appears empty. The mistake is made by dumping powder B into the measure following a session (possibly months earlier!) when powder A has been used. The result is that the first few rounds are loaded with powder A instead of powder B. Invariably powder A is a fast powder and powder B is a slow one! Never leave powder in measures after a loading session. Always clear down the measure back into the original powder can and leave it clear. Always check again that the measure is empty before starting a new session. Do you also weigh the first and every tenth load dumped from the measure? Sure you do! Leaving measures full all the time is a really bad practice. The powder degrades faster in the open and they are a fire hazard.
2. Selecting the wrong powder. Never ever have more than one powder on the loading bench. Start a loading session by running a check on the required powder and only taking this to the bench. Always do a sniff test - any powder that smells of vinegar get rid of. When you are finished loading a batch of ammo, clear down and return the powder to store before starting on another batch. Do not do reloading when tired or distracted.
3. Never store recovered powder unless you know it has come from a known source and is all from the same batch. NEVER keep mixed recovered powder, it is useless and dangerous. Get rid of old powder as it arises either by burning or feeding to the roses (..it is basically fertilizer!)
4. Try to select loadings where the propellent fills at least 60% of the case. This will make it obvious that you have double loaded. Only ever use low volume loads of fast powder when making target loads. Be especially careful when checking these before loading the bullet.
5. Never be tempted to try and produce reduced power loads by underloading medium or slow burning powder. There is a hard to reproduce, but known phenominon where this can lead to detonation. Never use a slower powder than Unique for cast lead or reduced energy rifle loads. Look up appropriate loadings in the Lyman Lead Bullet Manual.
6. Always check that you have loaded powder before putting in a bullet. There is enough energy in a primer to send a bullet up the barrel to be met by the next round loaded. NEVER run a progressive press without a no-powder check station!
Mr Cinnibar confuses the term "detonation" in this case. There is a difference between propellant burning and propellant detonating The breech failure is in this case down to burning overpressure not detonation. . It is possible for propellent to detonate (see 5 above) but in this case the fracture surfaces would be different as detonation has a cutting effect. Typically with detonation you get a "patch" blown out the side of the barrel roughly at the neck of the chamber.
you are right, better to get rid off unknown ammo before it is too late.....
I have been reloading since the mid 80’s. I started while living in Germany, and it was a requirement to take a school class before you could buy powder. I don’t use something I did not reload myself, and I don’t pass rounds to anyone since I don’t have a ammunition manufacturer license.
When I started reloading years ago, I read something that has always stuck with me. It said, " if you want chocolate cake, follow the chocolate cake recipe!
Wow.. Thank you Sir.
The kind of catastrophic failure that seemed to happen here looks like a squib with a round that followed
That was the first thing I checked. The bore was clear of any obstructions.
To reinforce what has been said in this thread, I would never consider OP (other people’s) reloads. That includes anything (“white box” non-commercial) for sale at gun shows. We were shooting our local DCM rifle match one Sunday morning and a guy was shooting his Garand, but the reports sounded off. Upon picking up an ejected case, we noticed classic overpressure signs- extruded and flattened primer, bright ring around the case head. We immediately called for a cease-fire, and found out that, sure enough, he was shooting gun show reloads. With a Garand, in particular, it is necessary to be shooting the correct loading, including a powder with the correct pressure curve. The old military loading was IMR-4895, but more contemporary powders with the same burn rate, like Varget, have been deemed suitable. Always follow published reloading data, start low and work up.
My reloading tip is to scan all cases together (sitting in a wooden reloading tray) after adding the powder. That makes spotting a double charge very easy because it will standout from the others. Also, I noted you made a point of using a kinetic bullet puller outside but were not wearing safety glasses. Maybe an oversight?
My procedure is to seat a bullet after every powder drop.
I visibly check each drop and seat.
I don't know why you'd go outside to use the puller unless you were worried about an explosive bullet.
Now that I am old, I wear safety glasses most of the time. The type with bifocals.
I must say I was very impressed by the ruggedness of that '94'slocking mechanism. Not a sign of that failing.... amazing.
Looks as if the guy that loaded them used a BP charge but with fairy dust of the faster burning sort.
I do occasionally load ammo for others (mostly hunters with high intensity smokeless rounds) and with most suitable powders for this, overloads of that magnitude are impossible as there's not enough case space for them, but still I check weigh every 10 rounds or so. I also double check what powder I have on the bench and only ONE can is on the bench at any one time, and in plain view. Making good ammo is not difficult, but it does require a measure of care. I also make sure that the client understands that I make no guarantee about the loads, although the very few that I load for know that I am careful (doubly so for someone else!).......Sad about that Winchester....
I don't shoot others' reloads though... distrustful I guess......
You're right. 1894's have a reputation for having a weak action. After seeing this accident, I don't agree. The barrel failed rather spectacularly, but the action appears to be undamaged.
@@thecinnabar8442 Yes... people say that the Lee Enfield action is weak, but it isn't at all....a bit springy, yes, but not weak.
Gives me the willy's. As a reloader for 35 years, I've double-charged and under-charged (no charge actually) several times. Thank goodness a 1911 is strong, as is the Marlin 1881. Whew! If I'm the one shooting the gun, I can usually tell by sound or feel if a round is not right. But when shooting quick, it's easy to cycle a fresh round in the chamber and pull the trigger. Learn to have a "stop" point in your shooting cycle.
Its almost the perfect test, if you are too dumb to load ammo, it usually lets you know. Almost as pure as the shopping cart test
Must have been some fast burning pistol powder.
One of my friends shoots 30-30 in a 94 and he asks me to do reloads for him since he doesn't have the gear and doesn't want to learn. Even so, i insist he watch me, verify every weight measurement I have, and when I reload for him, I clear everything from my bench including my junk powder bottle. The only thing on my bench is the projectiles, cases, scale, and a bottle of 3031. That man trusts me with his safety so I will do everything I can to make sure his ammo is safe, consistent, and he knows what is is getting because he saw it made. On top of that, having a second pair of eyes to mention double charging a case or some other error is never a bad idea to me
Thanks very much to all involved for this video, glad everyone is ok.This will be burned into my mind like other stories:
- Don't rest your rifle across your hood
- Don't lean your rifle against a vehicle/object
- Don't go from a warm temp to a cold temp, leave the equipment in the same ambient temp as the conditions you will use it in(developes condensation in the bore/on scope lenses)
- Keep some method of bore cleaning in your pack incase of a muzzle down trip/fall
- Tape your muzzle to keep debris out
All of these precautions come from stories that no one wants to be in.
1 Family members coworker took some shots at a buck across the hood of his new truck, after 3 shots the buck ran off. Confused, he looked down and saw 3 long bullet holes across his new hood
2 Lots of stories for rifles getting run over
3 Condensation freezing in a barrel cost a guy his cow elk draw and a rifle
4 Buddy took a spill and got snow in his muzzle, quick bore snake and good to go
5 Spuce needle bore obstruction ends a barrels career
Be safe folks!
Great comment. Thanks for sharing
Looks like a duplex load. There are those handloaders out there who shoot black powder with the addition of small amounts of smokeless to keep fowling in bore down. A very nasty habit! A disaster waiting to happen.
A Duplex load, was what I had in mind as well. I know from on of my Kollegs at the shooting Range, that he have lost four Fingers of its right hand by loading a Duplex load in his Percusionrevolver and it explodet. After the exident he told me that he did it for quite a wile and it worked more ore less very good. The primer strated very well , the bore was easy to clean. Till he lost his fingers. Shit happens sometimes but in this casses it was pore stuppidety. Best regards from Bavaria -Germany.
Was it on the first shot or a following shot? Could it have been a squib obstruction? A 230 grain squib is hard to shift.
First shot. The bore was clear and pristine. Sorry I didn't mention that.
In a brand new kimber, on the 1st magazine I had a squibb load that was in a new box of off brand 45acp. I didn't notice until the 2nd round ran into the bullet lodged in the barrel. Whew! I kept that bullet!
Good video. Hoping to stop by your shop some time this summer. I need a buckaroo Berger from the summer lake restaurant. Just subscribe to your channel and looking forward to the next video. God bless
I'll look forward to your visit.
That flake powder looks like unique or bullseye.
Nice forensic work.
That flaky stuff in the picture shure looks like pistol powder to me! So glad the shooter wasn't hurt bad. When I pull unknown loads, i use the powder for fertilizer straight away. Never leave it lying on my bench.
Great policy!