Polymer guns CAN handle kaboom!

Double without a doubt. Do you use a powder check die? Apparently you should, lol. I run the Dillon version and will not reload handgun loads without it. It's mainly there to warn me of a double/no charge. Nothing's perfect but you can't be too safe.
 
Cameron SS said:
I have seen more than a few case failures that did not cause the other signs of overpressure, typically mag blow out. I'd be pretty confident its a double charge.

Question about your weighing to verify that there isn't a double charge. How many grains of powder are you using? I don't reload much pistol, but my understanding is you typically aren't using more than 4 of 5 grains of powder, yes?

Have you measured your empty cases to confirm that the variance in cases alone can't be greater than this? Individual lots are fairly consistent, but between different brands I have more than once seen a variance in case weight greater than 5 grains.

It would seem to be that it is entirely possible that a double charge in a light case might go unnoticed.
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That sounds like exactly what happened. I reload with 6 grains of CFE Pistol. My friend uses 4.4 grains of Titegroup. It was one of the Titegroup loads that blew. Honestly I’ve never thought about weighing my empty cases. You got me there.
Mike C.
 
Tractorguy said:
One of the shooters on VSO YouTube channel had that problem, but it blew his M &P 9 to peices. They later found that the M&P line can drop the firing pin dispite not being in full/complete battery (plus or minus a thousand) causing all back pressure to be channeled down mag well. Unfortunate for him, the firearm was destroyed. The ammo in question was steel cased Wolf, which I believe would be charged a little lower than other factory to keep costs down. But can only speculate on your insistent.
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Interesting. Thank you.
Mike C.
 
mike445 said:
Thank you for your input. This case has only been fired once before this happened. How many times is acceptable with 45 ACP for reloading the brass?
Mike C.
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Reload them until the case splits (or fails in some way) or you lose them.
 
Canuck44 said:
Mike I tested this and quit counting after reloading a Win case 16 times. I have also had Norinco 4acp brass split after one reloading. The Norinco brass appears to be on the harder side as it typically splits with less reloads for me. Nickle brass tends to split much earlier than copper brass due to the hardness of the nickle coating I presume. Side splits have never presented a problem. I never know about them until I pick up the brass and notice the split.

Take Care

Bob
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Thank you. I’m just stewing over this cuz it’s the first mishap I’ve had in 30 years of shooting. When it comes to reloading I’m still new. Lots of learning to do.
Mike C.
 
4n2t0 said:
Double without a doubt. Do you use a powder check die? Apparently you should, lol. I run the Dillon version and will not reload handgun loads without it. It's mainly there to warn me of a double/no charge. Nothing's perfect but you can't be too safe.
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Thanks. I’ll check it out. I run a Lee 4 stage press. I like the idea of another round of security.
Mike C.
 
At the very least I would have taken the gun home, detail stripped it and used a bright light and magnifying glass to look for micro cracks in the barrel and slide. Glad nobody was hurt after trying the gun afterward...:cool:
 
MET said:
At the very least I would have taken the gun home, detail stripped it and used a bright light and magnifying glass to look for micro cracks in the barrel and slide. Glad nobody was hurt after trying the gun afterward...:cool:
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Oh I did!! Right there at the range!! Myself and a professional went through it, cleaned it, inspected it and oiled it before I shot the rest of the reloads out of it. I did it all again when I got home.
Mike C.
 
mike445 said:
I am second guessing a bit. We do weigh every reload to make sure they are all within a grain but it’s possible one slipped through. As you say. No method of reloading is fail safe. It’s not going discourage myself or my friend from reloading. Thank you for the input. Everyone has been so helpful. I appreciate it.

Mike C.
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It's almost impossible to check pistol rounds on a scale for powder, the charges are usually light. Too many variables in weight of the brass, and bullets.
 
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ReloaderRick said:
It's almost impossible to check pistol rounds on a scale for powder, the charges are usually light. Too many variables in weight of the brass, and bullets.
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+1

I concentrate on the job of reloading when I am reloading. 100% focus. It's good therapy as well, to just focus on something fun which I like doing.

I use a Lee Classic Turret 4-hole and make sure I peer into a just-charged casing before setting a bullet on it. It is easy to double charge a .45 case specially with a high density powder like Titegroup, as well as it is easy to have an empty casing.

Double charging a 45 is pretty much a kaboom candidate, and zero or reduced charge can mean a bullet stuck in the barrel, and a potential kaboom too.
 
easyrider604 said:
+1

I concentrate on the job of reloading when I am reloading. 100% focus. It's good therapy as well, to just focus on something fun which I like doing.

I use a Lee Classic Turret 4-hole and make sure I peer into a just-charged casing before setting a bullet on it. It is easy to double charge a .45 case specially with a high density powder like Titegroup, as well as it is easy to have an empty casing.

Double charging a 45 is pretty much a kaboom candidate, and zero or reduced charge can mean a bullet stuck in the barrel, and a potential kaboom too.
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Thank you. I agree. When reloading I make sure my phone is on DND. I want no distractions. I’ve heard stories about Titegroup double loads. I use CFE Pistol for everything 44 magnum and under. My friend swears by Titegroup though.
Mike C.
 
mike445 said:
Thank you. Are we wasting our time weighing them after they are fabricated then?
Mike C.
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The short answer is yes. Brass weight varies, bullet weight can vary in the same box, bulk lubed bullets with lube randomly missing in grooves will weigh less and powder charges will vary unless you are weighing every powder drop before it goes in the case.
 
I've considered getting into reloading. then I see what happens occasionally and take a pass.
 
MET said:
The short answer is yes. Brass weight varies, bullet weight can vary in the same box, bulk lubed bullets with lube randomly missing in grooves will weigh less and powder charges will vary unless you are weighing every powder drop before it goes in the case.
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Awesome. Thank you very much. That’s good to know.
Mike C.
 
lady socom said:
I've considered getting into reloading. then I see what happens occasionally and take a pass.
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You drive a car don't you? About 3500 of us die every year in car accidents.

Reloading is challenging and enjoyable. If you like to shoot a lot you either have to be wealthy or you reload.

Life is full of risks. You just have to manage the risks you choose to accept.

Take Care

Bob
 
Canuck44 said:
You drive a car don't you? About 3500 of us die every year in car accidents.

Reloading is challenging and enjoyable. If you like to shoot a lot you either have to be wealthy or you reload.

Life is full of risks. You just have to manage the risks you choose to accept.

Take Care

Bob
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Well said Bob!!
 
mike445 said:
Thank you. Are we wasting our time weighing them after they are fabricated then?
Mike C.
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I would say it depends on the brass. Weigh a few dozen from different manufactures and see how varied they are. Shaking them to listen/feel for fullness might be more reliable, but i hear those lockout dies are pretty safe.

How many times has your weighing method correctly screened out a double charge? If in 10,000 rounds, weighing caught 10 doubles and missed one, its still useful, just cant be your only QC.
 
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