Blowing up a GP 100

H4831 said:
Using fast powder in a magnum is the bad idea. In the 44 magnum use a powder that will not double load. That is, a full power load with at least 3/4 of a case full. Excellent powders for the 44 are Winchester 296, or H110, which is supposed to be the same powder. The 44 magnum was developed by Elmer Keith, who used the old Hercules 2400 powder. His load, published everywhere, was 22 grains of 2400, with his cast bullets. This is a no fooling, full power load, but if you like it a little less, just use less powder, but more than a half case full, so it can not be double charged.
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Since I posted that back in November I have started reloading and do use the H110. I was under the understanding that H110 is not downloadable at all. The range I show is only 2 gr. IIRC. I loaded at the lowest weight listed which believe was 26gr. and it fills the case about 3/4.

I did make some lower power loads with W231 but was extra extra careful not to double charge as 8-9gr. is not much volume in a magnum case.
 
2400 uses up quite a bit more space in the case and gives decent velocity out. Safer than a fast powder.

And like the original poster said; loading block, 50 at a time, look down the cases with some light overhead. (so long as you're not using a progressive)
 
I actually bought the exploded GP100 off dmathers and managed to get it all apart. Looks like the cylinder nearly blew totally apart, the 4 remaining cambers have been bent into oval-shapes. The top of the frame is obviously quite bent as well as the bottom of the frame. The rest of the pieces seem to be in working order, as far as I can tell.

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Wow, thanks for sharing. Glad you're okay. I have a GP100 and reload also. With Titegroup, just as you did.

I am aware of the safety disadvantage of using such a low-volume powder. You said you loaded 7.2 gr. Okay, double that time. But 7.2 gr sounds on the hot end to me. Behind what bullet, I guess is the important question. Behind a 158 gr bullet (my usual), I have been dropping 5.6 gr lately. Behind a 125 gr bullet I put 6.8 gr. Behind lead target loads, I put much, much less. Between 2.8 and 3.5 gr behind a LSWC. (That would seem like such a small amount of powder for the .357 Mag case but those ones are so easy to shoot and very accurate.)

I have a well lit reloading setup with a Dillon 550B and always load without any distractions. But maybe it's time to try a high-volume powder. Any recommendations?
 
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marshall said:
Have you tried to take the barrel off?
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Not exactly sure how to, are these GP100 Barrels on super tight? The mouth of the barrel seems to have a small gouge in it due to the explosion, not sure if this will effect the salvageability of the barrel.....Still not sure what I'm going to do with it, may keep her around for spare parts in case my GP100 goes down.
 
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