Exploding Winchester 333 ammo

I have had misfires and one hangfire with the stuff in my single six. Always wondered what happened if I would have just pulled the trigger again sending the hangfire out of alignment with the barrel!!
 
Dexter Morgan said:
I had some Winchester 333 ammo explode today.
It did significant damage to my Smith and Wesson 617 revolver.
I had gone through about a hundred rounds without a problem.
Reloaded another ten into the cylinder. Fired off seven rounds normally, but the eighth round exploded upon firing.
It exploded as if it had a double charge of power (at least double).
The blast blew out the back of the cylinder. Luckily most if it went sideways across my left hand, and not much up towards my face.
It bent the revolver pretty good. I could not operate the cylinder release latch, because of the bent area.
I had to remove the sideplate and take the entire gun apart to remove the cylinder. (It still had two live rounds in it.)

Has anyone else had trouble with exploding .22 Winchester ammo?
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Glad you weren't hurt. It is a freaky thing to experience, isn't it?

I've had it happen. There's an old post about it somewhere. Broke a piece off my (Semi) bolt on my Lakefield 64b.

Winchester was excellent to deal with. Long story short, they wanted the exploded shell, which I had because the pieces were in my chamber, and all the unfired ammo (ExpertHV). Problem was shipping to the states. I was asked to deal with a place in Peterborough, On. They were great too. They sent me a small empty box with a completed packing slip so all I had to do was pour the unused ammo in the box and mail it to Peterborough. They took care of exerything else.

I didn't ask for compensation but they insisted on sending $30 worth of Winchester gift certificates to replace the cost of the ammo, and they wanted a copy of the parts bill for my rifle and paid that ($26 for a new bolt - no labour). Even got a call about 6 months later saying they weren't able to find a cause, but they didn't have the ammo shipped from Canada to the US yet (permits). They only had the exploded shell at that point. Imagine, over six months to get permits to send a box of .22 back to the manufacturer!
The number I was dealing with is 618-258-3738

camster said:
I hope it all works out for you...Glad your have fingers to type with and, eyes to read too!

I don't think it's possible to "double" load a .22...they seem pretty full. Just starting to learn (very low on the curve) about reloading and, too little powder can cause a "flash over" but again...pretty small case for that too...standing by to read from the clever folks.

One thing that pops to mind...is it possible there was issue with the gun? Maybe timing off? Previous squib? I (again...very low on the learning curve...) thought revolvers would let pressure off easier with the little gap between chamber/cylinders and, barrel.
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There was a recall in 2007 for that very thing. Double charges in .22 ammo. Winchester seems to take this very seriously and well they should. Not to mention possible injuries, imagine the liability suits.
 
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Yogi05 said:
There was a recall in 2007 for that very thing. Double charges in .22 ammo. Winchester seems to take this very seriously and well they should. Not to metnion possible injuries, imagine the liability suits.
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I remember that as well....:yingyang:...also happened with Winchester ammo, IIRC ? :wave:

Father said:
At the end of the day the most important thing is you didnt lose an eye or anything else.

I'm sure that was scary as hell.
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100% ...:redface:
 
Yogi05

Thank you!

I have been looking for your .22's thread(64 fan here) and, another...both 64's and, both "suffered"...wasn't sure of the ammo used...

The other 64 I could recall the name of (wasn't 100% sure...sent a PM..it was confirmed it was the right CGN'er) still not sure what ammo was involved yet...

Thank you for "setting me straight"...tuition free learning for me.
 
" One thing that pops to mind...is it possible there was issue with the gun? Maybe timing off? Previous squib? I (again...very low on the learning curve...) thought revolvers would let pressure off easier with the little gap between chamber/cylinders and, barrel. "

No. The gun was functioning perfectly fine. I watched the previous bullet hit the target. After disassembly, the barrel was completely clear. The explosion was in the cylinder, and nowhere else.

I never would have believed that much powder could be in a .22 either.
But I have a stainless revolver that disagrees with that theory.
 
camster said:
Yogi05

Thank you!

I have been looking for your .22's thread(64 fan here) and, another...both 64's and, both "suffered"...wasn't sure of the ammo used...

The other 64 I could recall the name of (wasn't 100% sure...sent a PM..it was confirmed it was the right CGN'er) still not sure what ammo was involved yet...

Thank you for "setting me straight"...tuition free learning for me.
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Not sure if you found it or still want to see it but here it is

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475197

You were even in the post :)

Never did find a definate reason for the blow out. Don't know if it was a sticky rifle or the ammo......... Gun working fine since then.
 
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