critter
Member
I have a Colt Delta Elite in 10mm, got it used and is under one year in my care. It is the older version.
I am a reloader and have been for 35+ years, have reloaded for upwards of 20 calibers, ALWAYS use conservative loads and extreme care in reloading (I thought!) and had NEVER had a major problem UNTIL NOW. I'd like some insight into the cause(s).
Round #20 blew out the base of the case in the unsupported area, blew the innerds from the magazine (floorplate, spring, follower) and peppered my face enough to cause 3 bleeders (GLASSES PLEASE!). No other harm to me, the gun is fine (inspected by me, my gunsmith and supsequently cleaned, lubed and fired a variety of loads).
Here is how I did it. I read LOTS on the 10mm, saying it is very versatile, handling loads from .40 S&W level up to near .41 mag levels. SO---I loaded one batch of ammo using a 'fast' powder but not quite as fast as Bullseye & a 135 gr bullet. The load was a moderately heavy load for THE .40 S&W-DIRECTLY OFF THE WEB SITE FOR THE POWDER MANUFACTURER. (Was that my problem-the .40 load?) It should have been even milder in the larger case according to my reasoning. Loads using the SAME BULLET, SAME CASES, SAME PRIMERS and about 20% MORE Bullseye (than the KB load) are just fine in the same gun. Accuracy for the KB load was awful, recoil was quite mild.
After the KB, I picked up the brass and most of it was WAAAAY expanded and close to KB.
Here is what I know.
1. There WAS NOT a bullet stuck in the barrel at the previous shot. (It made a hole in the paper, no barrel swell, etc.)
2. Since the other cases showed high pressure too (by both swelling and flat primers), I know it was not a SINGLE case that was double loaded, etc. If one was, they all were.
3. I pulled bullets from other rounds in the batch and the powder charge weighed exactly what the powder manufacturer called for. No overloads were found here.
4. The brass was not a 'soft lot' as I used the same brass for other loads much heavier than the one that KB'd with NO excess expansion whatsoever. Same with all other components EXCEPT FOR THE POWDER CHARGE.
I have discontinued the use of that load (DUH!!) AND that powder altogether. I will continue to reload and shoot that gun as well as others. I would, however, like to know just what might have caused the KB that I experienced. I DO NOT think it was a stuck bullet, a powder overload, a too hot load (YEAH, IT WAS, OBVIOUSLY)-but not at least by the 'book', bad components.
I had one person mention that it might have been a 'detonation' and as I have read, there is a lot of disagreement on these. I have heard of them claimed in LARGE cases such as .44 mag, .45 Colt, etc with SMALL charges of SLOW powders. That MIGHT be an explanation for this as it was a .40 load in a 10 mm, but there is not THAT much difference in case size and the powder was a 'fast' one. I surely DO NOT KNOW the cause.
I would appreciate any of you experienced reloaders offering your suggestions as to an explanation for me as I REALLY do not want to do THAT again! Believe me, it IS NOT good for your nerves, concentration and subsequent sight pictures!!!!!
Thanks guys for your endurance and opinions!
I am a reloader and have been for 35+ years, have reloaded for upwards of 20 calibers, ALWAYS use conservative loads and extreme care in reloading (I thought!) and had NEVER had a major problem UNTIL NOW. I'd like some insight into the cause(s).
Round #20 blew out the base of the case in the unsupported area, blew the innerds from the magazine (floorplate, spring, follower) and peppered my face enough to cause 3 bleeders (GLASSES PLEASE!). No other harm to me, the gun is fine (inspected by me, my gunsmith and supsequently cleaned, lubed and fired a variety of loads).
Here is how I did it. I read LOTS on the 10mm, saying it is very versatile, handling loads from .40 S&W level up to near .41 mag levels. SO---I loaded one batch of ammo using a 'fast' powder but not quite as fast as Bullseye & a 135 gr bullet. The load was a moderately heavy load for THE .40 S&W-DIRECTLY OFF THE WEB SITE FOR THE POWDER MANUFACTURER. (Was that my problem-the .40 load?) It should have been even milder in the larger case according to my reasoning. Loads using the SAME BULLET, SAME CASES, SAME PRIMERS and about 20% MORE Bullseye (than the KB load) are just fine in the same gun. Accuracy for the KB load was awful, recoil was quite mild.
After the KB, I picked up the brass and most of it was WAAAAY expanded and close to KB.
Here is what I know.
1. There WAS NOT a bullet stuck in the barrel at the previous shot. (It made a hole in the paper, no barrel swell, etc.)
2. Since the other cases showed high pressure too (by both swelling and flat primers), I know it was not a SINGLE case that was double loaded, etc. If one was, they all were.
3. I pulled bullets from other rounds in the batch and the powder charge weighed exactly what the powder manufacturer called for. No overloads were found here.
4. The brass was not a 'soft lot' as I used the same brass for other loads much heavier than the one that KB'd with NO excess expansion whatsoever. Same with all other components EXCEPT FOR THE POWDER CHARGE.
I have discontinued the use of that load (DUH!!) AND that powder altogether. I will continue to reload and shoot that gun as well as others. I would, however, like to know just what might have caused the KB that I experienced. I DO NOT think it was a stuck bullet, a powder overload, a too hot load (YEAH, IT WAS, OBVIOUSLY)-but not at least by the 'book', bad components.
I had one person mention that it might have been a 'detonation' and as I have read, there is a lot of disagreement on these. I have heard of them claimed in LARGE cases such as .44 mag, .45 Colt, etc with SMALL charges of SLOW powders. That MIGHT be an explanation for this as it was a .40 load in a 10 mm, but there is not THAT much difference in case size and the powder was a 'fast' one. I surely DO NOT KNOW the cause.
I would appreciate any of you experienced reloaders offering your suggestions as to an explanation for me as I REALLY do not want to do THAT again! Believe me, it IS NOT good for your nerves, concentration and subsequent sight pictures!!!!!
Thanks guys for your endurance and opinions!
