So I blew up a 1911 (Kaboom)
- Thread starter essayons21
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essayons21
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Thanks for all the advice. I definitely was trying to do too much at once, especially for one of my first runs of the press. I will be purchasing a lockout die, I didn't even know such a thing existed. Better lighting will certainly be in my press's future as well.
Cosmoline
Member
Yup. The eyeball and a light is the best defense against a double charge.
RustyFN
Member
That's what I do on my 550, if I have a problem or need to check something then I clear the shell plate and start over. I have never used a powder cop or lock out die but don't have much confidence in them. I have heard from many that use them that they are good for finding a double or no powder but won't detect +/- 1 or 2 grains. I look in every case and can see that without the die.
OP, I'm glad you are OK.
red rick
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Thanks for the honest post and I am glad you were wearing safety glasses.
I have been thinking about reloading and ordered a Lee Classic Turret Press about a week ago. I just recieved 2 books that I ordered today, Lyman 49th and Lyman Pistol & Revolver 3rd.
After reading your thread I am thinking more about not reloading. I don't think that I shoot enough at my age to save money after buying a press and for sure if I have a kaboom and saving money so I can afford to shoot more is the only reason that I have for reloading. The press is not in stock right now so I have a little while to think about cancelling the order.
I have been thinking about reloading and ordered a Lee Classic Turret Press about a week ago. I just recieved 2 books that I ordered today, Lyman 49th and Lyman Pistol & Revolver 3rd.
After reading your thread I am thinking more about not reloading. I don't think that I shoot enough at my age to save money after buying a press and for sure if I have a kaboom and saving money so I can afford to shoot more is the only reason that I have for reloading. The press is not in stock right now so I have a little while to think about cancelling the order.
RustyFN
Member
red rick reloading is not hard it just requires you to pay very close attention to everything going on. The Lee classic turret is one of the easiest presses to use, I have had mine for seven years. No more than one powder on the bench at a time. Verify the powder charge is correct with a scale. Look in every case after the powder charge and before you set the bullet on to be seated for the correct charge. Verify the OAL is right with a caliper. If you can do those things then you can make safe ammo.
Inebriated
Member
I got into progressive loading on the LM last night.... I don't trust the Lee powder measure yet, so as of this moment, I'm checking every 50 rounds for the charge. All seems well, within .3 or so grains variance. Now, I'm dumping powder from the case, so that's most likely coming from powder sticking to the case. I'm also weighing and measuring each cartridge before it goes into the box to go to the range. It takes time, but it would have likely prevented OP from having a KB. I'm saving time with the progressive, might as well use some of that free time to do some QC.
+1 on the RCBS Lockout Die.
I wouldn't run my LNL without it.
When setting it up make sure it catches both a no charge and a double charge and keep testing it periodically.
Also agree with bds. If there is ever any kind of problem. Clear the press and start over again.
I wouldn't run my LNL without it.
When setting it up make sure it catches both a no charge and a double charge and keep testing it periodically.
Also agree with bds. If there is ever any kind of problem. Clear the press and start over again.
a squib would not have cycled the action. A double charge is obvious, but a bad barrel was my first guess. Is the break jagged? Smooth? Crystaline?
I'm curious if we'll see more of this as manufacturers cut corners to keep up with demand.
edfardos
I'm curious if we'll see more of this as manufacturers cut corners to keep up with demand.
edfardos
Elkins45
Member
I'm not familiar with this powder. Will 11.8 grains of it (a double charge) allow a bullet to be seated deep enough to fit in the magazine? It could have been a bridged or hung charge, where the round before got 2 or 3 grains and this one got the rest plus a full 5.9 grains.
As much as I love the Alliant flake powders, they make me nervous in automated powder dispensers. Is Clays a 'flaky' ball powder like HP-38 is?
As much as I love the Alliant flake powders, they make me nervous in automated powder dispensers. Is Clays a 'flaky' ball powder like HP-38 is?
essayons21
Member
A double charge of Clay's Universal will fit and allow the bullet to be seated, with room to spare. I know that this is not ideal, but this powder is extremely versatile for my pistol reloading needs, and I got a great deal on a couple 8 lb jugs a few years back.
I'm happy to see you weren't injured in that.
I load on a Lee Classic turret, one operation at a time. I visually check all my cases after they're charged (one at a time.) Now I'll check 'em twice! I use 9.0 gr of 231 in .44 mag cases and a double charge would fit easily. That would be a peppier load than I'm prepared to fire.
I load on a Lee Classic turret, one operation at a time. I visually check all my cases after they're charged (one at a time.) Now I'll check 'em twice! I use 9.0 gr of 231 in .44 mag cases and a double charge would fit easily. That would be a peppier load than I'm prepared to fire.
One of the things I like about my LNL, and my Projector before that, is that the seating takes place in the fourth station where I can see every charge I seat a bullet over. I trust that more than anything else, such as a lockout die. I use an LED light to help see into the cases.
I think it's pretty cool that the OP had the humility and cojones to post up his mistake, since it takes plenty of both.
Root case, as previously mentioned - not fixing the issues before starting the loading process. I don't think it has anything to do with the machine, since all machines are susceptible to glitches and hiccups.
Like a few others, I like to see the powder in every case before placing a bullet, and to use powders that fill the case on a double. I used up all the 45acp with Bullseye I loaded some years back, and would love to go back to that load, but not until I figure out a mistake proof way to make safe ammo with it.
Root case, as previously mentioned - not fixing the issues before starting the loading process. I don't think it has anything to do with the machine, since all machines are susceptible to glitches and hiccups.
Like a few others, I like to see the powder in every case before placing a bullet, and to use powders that fill the case on a double. I used up all the 45acp with Bullseye I loaded some years back, and would love to go back to that load, but not until I figure out a mistake proof way to make safe ammo with it.
blarby
Member
The most prominent one being a loose nut behind the........ control arm.
I'm interested to know if there is any damage to the frame or other mechanisms of this 1911, or if the BBL and mag took the effects.
gahunter12
Member
OP- Glad your ok. I too use a LED light looking down in each case after I charge it on my Dillon RL550b. If I have a stoppage I always clear my shellplate, dump my last charge. After clearing my stoppage I always throw 5 charges, then weigh the last before returning back to loading. In 4 yrs of loading I have had 1 squib while loding my first 50 rnds when I started. I know what I did when my daughter asked me to come fix her a snack after school. I stopped loading, then returned, and rotated the shellplate first without pull the handle. Now if I have to stop, and leave the bench, I always run my press dry before leaving.
Mike 27
Member
The Lockout die is an awesome insurance policy. Also I have to agree that if you are working out a jam, I always dump the case under the powder drop or at least weigh it. Glad you are ok it looks like the 1911 took the brunt of it.
hueyville
Member
I have seen 3 kaboom's over the years in 1911 pistols. Never one of mine. One was a friend who was so mechanically challenged he had no business reloading at all espacially since I always kept him in ammo till he decided to do it himself. His was a squib followed by a double charge. When we pulled them down, every other round had no powder and the others were double charged. He had 100 rounds like that. Funny thing is the pistol survived except for the grips. He stuck the first bullet which prevented the slide from closing all the way. He tapped the back of the slide which allowed his sloppy tolerance wore out old pistol to fire out of battery. Apparently the top round in magazine was another double charge. Out of battery round blew out the case setting off the top round in the magazine. It dumped the magazine and blew the wood grips off the gun in pieces. It was really odd as he was still holding pistol in two hand hold, his face and hands were covered in black half burned powder but was unhurt. How it blew the grips out from between his fingers without hurting him is something that I still wonder about. He gave me his reloading equipment and went back to shooting my ammo. In 30+ years I have never had a squib or an overcharge that was catastrophic. Good loading habits and not allowing ones self to be distracted is key. Loading with a progressive is no more dangerous than a single stage with good bench habits.
soloban
Member
Glad you walked away from it. The image painted in the post above mine gives me the mental image of Elmer Fudd after Bugs Bunny jams his finger in the barrel of Elmer's shotgun.
ljnowell
Member
GaryL said:
He most certainly has my respect. I never could stand an excuse, as a mechanic and a dealership service manager, I have heard almost everyone you can think of. I can usually sniff right through them.
I always liked a guy who would just walk up and say "Boss, I screwed up and need some help so I dont screw it up any farther." As long as he wasnt doing that too often, lol.
788Ham
Member
This is why I stick with my single stage press, one I've used for 40 years when it was NIB. I'm not saying a thing about anyone who uses a LnL, a BFD, or whatever brand and number, this is just me. I might take a bit more time to load 60 rounds, took me an hour to reload 60 ..38 Spl's last night, so far no Kabooms! I'm glad the OP is okay, glad/hope things work out okay in the regard you get the piece fixed and up and running again. Some folks like the extra gadgets involved, I'm happy for you, I'll stay single.
ljnowell
Member
I have seen kabooms come from the single stage press too. We should never get complacent.
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