Is severe underloading an issue?

[Suputin]

Seems like a myth to me.

I have personally inspected two modern 44 mag revolvers with the top of the cylinder and top strap blown clean off. One suspects that it would take a hell of an overload to accomplish that. SEE explains this kind of effect.

 

[Kevin M.]

Another possibility is that due to a 10% under minimum charge, a double charge may have happened and he may never have been the wiser as it may not have overflowed the case.

 

[Cleftwynd]

I like that last explanation the best, a 160% charge is most likely the cause, seconded by a lodged bullet by the previous round, then the rifle fired again.

More info on the reload data would most likely prove or disprove a few theories.

 

[easysauce]

yeah... i dont see how going below minimum alone will cause that issue... doubling up on a minimum, or shooting with a squib in the barrel maybe... but Im well below 10% minimum on my .45 loads, and it shoots just fine, 1000's of rounds now, only issue was occasionally not cycling the action fully, increased by .2 grns or so and no issues with anything.

I expect there to be more squibs with low powered rifle cartridges, but the pressure would push the bullet out before it blows up anything else...