Kaboom With Pictures

Blacksmith101 · Apr 13, 2015

For all new and experienced reloaders here is a link to another forum with the report of a blown up firearm with some graphic pictures of hand damage.

The gun was a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70, was shooting reloads, the shooter was injured but nothing permanent, the cause is under investigation but looks like probably a double charge of 2400.

Here is the link to Cast Boolits Forum, currently at 9 pages of replies some of which have links to other stories:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?275002-gun-blew-up

Always be very careful when reloading!

marko12 · Apr 13, 2015

Wow, thanks for the warning.

45-70, nice round too.

Ian · Apr 13, 2015

Wait, 2400 actually exists?...

44man · Apr 13, 2015

I love 2400 in my 44's but it would be hard to get a double dose in them since 2400 takes up so much room. damn that looks bad.

alucard0822 · Apr 13, 2015

really easy to miss a double charge in old BP era calibers. Hot magnum loads don't worry me anywhere near as much as the giant case/low pressure ones, many can take 5x the published load and still not fill the case, especially with handgun powder and cast, might not even notice with a visual check unless you use a measuring stick.

BenL · Apr 13, 2015

alucard0822 said:
really easy to miss a double charge in old BP era calibers. Hot magnum loads don't worry me anywhere near as much as the giant case/low pressure ones, many can take 5x the published load and still not fill the case, especially with handgun powder and cast, might not even notice with a visual check unless you use a measuring stick.

I try to stick with powders that fill the case, so double charges are obvious and overflowing.

Sundazes · Apr 13, 2015

Ouch.

Uncle Duke · Apr 13, 2015

Not a hard mistake to make. And as noted, with some powders and cartridges, a much easier mistake to make than with others.

Don't make it!!! Not a thing easy about what happens if you do make it.

One lucky guy! Bring your "A" game to the reloading bench. Find and leave mistakes there.

Thanks for the reminder OP!

alucard0822 · Apr 13, 2015

BenL said:
I try to stick with powders that fill the case, so double charges are obvious and overflowing.

So do I, and most overcharges would be obvious as powder spills all over the place. For some especially light or low fill loads, 30cal rifle plinking loads with unique, 45 colt with bullseye, or 45-70, I cut and smooth a piece of wood dowel, drop it in a filled case, and draw a line even with the case mouth, and check each one while the cases are charged and flared in the block waiting for bullets.

Augie · Apr 13, 2015

2400 has been known to have over pressure issues with a small charge in a large case, it's a fast burning pistol powder, no way would I use it in a 45/70.

John from MD · Apr 15, 2015

Aside from it's normal uses, 2400 is commonly used for reduced cast bullet loads in bottleneck 30 caliber up to 8mm cartridges. Traditionally, the load is 16 grains. I have never heard of anyone using it in a large straight wall cartridge like a 45/70.

I too believe that he double charged it and essentially made a bomb. :sad20:

John

j_h_smith · Apr 15, 2015

BenL said:
I try to stick with powders that fill the case, so double charges are obvious and overflowing.

I can't agree more. When I first starting reloading, I went with the least amount of powder that would get me my velocities. Then I saw what a double charge could do. I went with powder that is impossible or almost impossible to double charge. More costly, but not as costly as losing a finger, an eye or possibly worse.

Jmorrismetal · Apr 18, 2015

Presses with powder check/lockout dies sure look cheap when I see damage like that. Actually factory ammo seems like a good deal to if you don't want to put the attention into the work.

noylj · Apr 21, 2015

You look in the case or use an RCBS Lock-Out die.
Any break in reloading rhythm is a good place to stop and check any charged cases before moving on.
Almost any BP cartridge is just begging for a double charge from the careless reloader.

Art3 · Apr 21, 2015

noylj said:
Almost any BP cartridge is just begging for a double charge from the careless reloader.

Not if you're loading it with BP

DocAitch · Apr 22, 2015

I agree with the diagnosis of double charge.
I also agree with bringing your "A" game to the reloading bench.
DocAitch

IndispensableDestiny · Apr 23, 2015

Augie said:
2400 has been known to have over pressure issues with a small charge in a large case, it's a fast burning pistol powder, no way would I use it in a 45/70.

It's never been demonstrated in a lab that light loads (fast or slow powder) in a big cartridge detonate. HP White Labs tried in the 70's to do it but couldn't.

I call it a shooter's myth that made the transition from print media to the internet.

If you do have a light load in a big cartridge, it's easier to miss a double charge. Establish a process to keep that from happening.

Marauder · Apr 23, 2015

Augie said:
2400 has been known to have over pressure issues with a small charge in a large case, it's a fast burning pistol powder, no way would I use it in a 45/70.

I have a Hornady manual with reduced loads for .35Rem that use 20gr of 2400, about half the case capacity.

Augie · Apr 24, 2015

Marauder said:
I have a Hornady manual with reduced loads for .35Rem that use 20gr of 2400, about half the case capacity.

Just because it's in a manual does not make it a good load. 2400 is a great magnum pistol powder at full loads, plenty of reports out there showing it does poorly loading light, erratic,unburned powder etc.

Augie · Apr 24, 2015

IndispensableDestiny said:
It's never been demonstrated in a lab that light loads (fast or slow powder) in a big cartridge detonate. HP White Labs tried in the 70's to do it but couldn't.

I call it a shooter's myth that made the transition from print media to the internet.

If you do have a light load in a big cartridge, it's easier to miss a double charge. Establish a process to keep that from happening.

Personally I'm a believer in detonation, too many blow ups over the years that are unexplained.
Problem with detonation theory is there is no way to prove it, you can not intentionally assemble a round that will detonate.
You want to see shooters get their panties in a wad over detonation here is a current thread on Trapshooters over a Krieghoff K-80 blow up.

http://www.trapshooters.com/threads/k-80-blow-up.243354/

Kaboom With Pictures

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