What NOT to do when handloading (with pictures)

[The Lone Haranguer]

This happened c. 2006 or 2007 and is what is left of an "old model," unmolested Ruger Super Blackhawk, manufactured c. 1966, that belonged to my brother, after a faulty handload did it in. The friend of his who loaded the cartridge is an experienced handloader, but clearly something went wrong. Perhaps there was a moment of inattention or distraction and he double- or triple-charged the case, the powder was faulty and somehow detonated instead of burned, who knows. Anyway, be careful and don't let this happen to you! Now, on to the pictures. (I am a complete noob at photography, so please excuse the poor quality. )

Cylinder, rear view:


Cylinder, front view:


Cylinder, top view:


Frame, left side:


Frame, right side:


Frame, rear view, loading gate open:


Note the frame topstrap missing entirely, along with the rear sight (it was attached to the topstrap). Even the part containing the barrel threads is missing, which is why the barrel, as you will see below, is relatively undamaged except for slightly "dinged" threads and a large scratch on the bottom (not shown).

Barrel, right side:


Barrel, left side:


The action parts (original, no "safety conversion"), grip frame and ejector rod, with its housing, are missing because I cannibalized and sold them some time ago. I kept the remainder as souvenirs.

 

[Roverboy]

How do you know the reload caused the destruction?

 

[El Mariachi]

'Cuz the Bad Metallurgy Fairy was out of town that day?....

 

[T Bran]

Ouch even though it is more time comsuming this is why I seat each bullet the second I fill the case with powder. A lot of people find issue with my method and to each his or her own but it makes me blanch to consider what could happen to the shooter and or those near the gun.
Question was this the first round of that batch fired ?
Im sure there could be many other things that could have gone wrong but an over charge does seem to be a rather common occurance.
Yet another reason I wont shoot ammo made by another reloader and factory ammo also gives me pause.
Thanks for sharing.
T

 

[12gaugeTim]

Happened to me once too.
This is all that was left.

 

[we are not amused]

One of the perils of hand-loading that is often overlooked. Not that it is a reason not to reload, just be very, very careful.

I am not an experienced enough reloader to try and offer a "fool proof" method of reloading, but I always do it when I am alone without any outside distractions, especially of the telephone type. Who ever wants to talk to me is just going to have to wait.

 

[Quoheleth]

Lots of possibilities, but one thought that flashes through the brain cells is mistaking the cannister of Bullseye for 2400.

KB for sure.

Q

 

[towboat_er]

12guagetim, I cant figure out what that is. Is it the barrel?

 

[Tinpig]

Hope your brother was OK.
As others say, I measure powder then immediately seat the bullet, but nothing's foolproof. Loading is like navigation...attention to detail is everything, and mistakes are seldom forgiven.

Tinpig

 

[jonn5335]

I was fishing with a guy who showed me a revolver in similar condition due to an over charged handload. I can't afford a new gun right now so I pay close attention when reloading.

 

[chhodge69]

12guagetim, I cant figure out what that is. Is it the barrel?

looks like a skid mark to me

 

[12gaugeTim]

Towboater, it was a jest at the photo quality. It's a picture of a ballpoint pen
But if a gun actually did explode in my hand, a picture of a skidmark would not be terribly unrelated.. If you catch my drift..

 

[Fishslayer]

Lots of possibilities, but one thought that flashes through the brain cells is mistaking the cannister of Bullseye for 2400.

KB for sure.

Q

That crosses my mind as well, especially if it's a .357. I often wonder if somebody was loading up target loads, switched to loading up Big Dogs & dumped in a 2400 sized charge of Bullseye.

I never ever have more than 1 can of powder on my bench.

 

[T Bran]

I recently read in a post that some one received some bullets that were mixed some were the weight on the label some were 20 or 30 grains heavier. So now I weigh every bullet in the box instead of one or two like I did in the past.
SCAREY
T

 

[Flintknapper]

T Bran wrote:

Im sure there could be many other things that could have gone wrong but an over charge does seem to be a rather common occurance

Yes, unfortunately an over charge (usually a double charge) is one of the most common mistakes hand-loaders make, BUT undercharging (with certain powders) can be just as dangerous.

H-110/W296 (same powder) should not be reduced by more than 3% or they can cause excessive pressure.

Be especially careful when using small grained powders, a double charge might not be readily apparent as with larger "case filling" propellants.