I spilled some powder on my bench which also had some sawdust on it. Of course the powder was mixed with the wood. I vaccummed up the whole place and probably had 200gr of pounder in my mini vac. I bet if a primer went off at that point my vacuum would be toast. I cleaned it out right away so never found out , maybe thats what happened.
reloading disasters
- Thread starter throback
- Start date
I spilled some powder on my bench which also had some sawdust on it. Of course the powder was mixed with the wood. I vaccummed up the whole place and probably had 200gr of pounder in my mini vac. I bet if a primer went off at that point my vacuum would be toast. I cleaned it out right away so never found out , maybe thats what happened.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I've been handloading for well over 30 years, and I've only had two experiences that cause me pause. The first was when I was loading .38 ammo for our club. I was reloading on a single stage press, and was cranking out 1000 rounds a week (which took all week). Want to get sick of loading try that for 6 months. Anyway, on one occasion I was about 700 rounds into my production when I realized that the powder measure had gone out of adjustment. That cost me some bucks as I kept the loaded ammo to shoot in my .357 and went out and bought 1000 rds of commercial stuff. Note to self, regularly check the weight of thrown charges.
The other occasion was when I learned not to load when I was distracted or tired. I was loading cast bullets with SR-4759 for my M-17 .30/06. That weekend I was at the range shooting across a chrony fro0m prone; bang-1840, bang-1832, BOOM-2850! I had to beat the action open with a 2X4, the primer was in the bottom of the magazine, the flash hole was the same size as the primer pocket, and the lettering was permanently stamped in reverse on the bolt face. I didn't get so much as a scratch, but I was very lucky!
The other occasion was when I learned not to load when I was distracted or tired. I was loading cast bullets with SR-4759 for my M-17 .30/06. That weekend I was at the range shooting across a chrony fro0m prone; bang-1840, bang-1832, BOOM-2850! I had to beat the action open with a 2X4, the primer was in the bottom of the magazine, the flash hole was the same size as the primer pocket, and the lettering was permanently stamped in reverse on the bolt face. I didn't get so much as a scratch, but I was very lucky!
Do you know what happened ? Obviously a HOT load but the rifle took it.
I almost ruined a brand new 6mm. I was loading using H-380 powder loaded up 10 rounds, took them out to shoot and after first shot I knew something was wrong. I had an extra loud bang and couldn't open the bolt. When I got back to my bench I saw powder all over my loading block. I looked at my powder funnel and realized there was a small crack in the side. When I charged a case the on beside it would get some powder too, I was loading 1 gr below max. I never had this problem before because I had only used stick powder. I had to pound the bolt to get it open and it didn't hurt the gun.
One day I was driving down the road drinking coffee from a paper cup. Well wouldn't you know it, the damn cup sprung a leak and started pouring hot coffee all over my lap! By time I stopped I had swerved all over the road and almost hit a prked car.
Gee, I hope they don't ban coffee.
Or cars!
I have never had a dangerous experience in my reloading. But. I did have a bad experience doing load developement on my 22/250. I loaded up 50 rounds .Each 5 rounds with 1/2 grain increase or decrease. Put all my rounds in the green ammo box made specifically for load developement. Loaded up all my gear and headed off to the range. Half way there my ammo box fell off my front seat and all the loads spilled onto the floor. Unfortunately for me i recorded all my data on the box itself where each round resided instead of marking each round. I had to head back home and weigh each round to try and determine WTF was what. I ended up pulling all the rounds. So now i mark each round with a sharpie .
I kicked myself for a week for being an idiot .
Stuck cases suck pretty bad too and can ruin an afternoon.
I kicked myself for a week for being an idiot .
Stuck cases suck pretty bad too and can ruin an afternoon.
The closest I have come, but corrected it right away was loading 70g of BLC into a case that took 60 gr max charge. Batteries went dead on the digital scale so used my Dillon, about loads in I bumped the the scale and added 10 grains to the charge. After 5 rounds I noticed this and started pulling bullets.
I had my other powder drops full of other powders and was just scooping the powder in the scale out of teh jug, I only needed a few extra rounds for deer season.
I alway look at case capacity and check the scale from now on. Dropping powder and trickling that meassuring each load even if time consumming are the way to go. I am not sure if that would have been enough to cause a blow up, but do not want to ever try.
I had my other powder drops full of other powders and was just scooping the powder in the scale out of teh jug, I only needed a few extra rounds for deer season.
I alway look at case capacity and check the scale from now on. Dropping powder and trickling that meassuring each load even if time consumming are the way to go. I am not sure if that would have been enough to cause a blow up, but do not want to ever try.
i've found that when i bought a new gun or something in a new caliber, i just got a whole new press c/w dies to go with- just budgeted it into the cost of the new gun- that way, there's no confusion, the powder's always right, as is the die settings- a lee 1000 is all you need for auto's , andyou need an extra station for revolvers- 4 instead of three- i've only got 2 calibers in rifles, 308 and 338, so the dillon remains set at 308, and the 338 goes though an old turret press
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I inadvertantly loaded a double charge, 50 grs of SR-4759 rather than 25, with the 210 gr cast bullet. This was an important lesson for me and one that I will never forget, and I was lucky the rifle was a strong one.
That's the second story where I've heard a vac has bit the bullet in the loading room! I can't remember the story but Tom Maynard might and it wasn't his vac or in his loading room. It was another shooter who's one of the best wind coaches I've ever known... right Tom?
John, some of those story just should not be told here on Gun Nutz. Better suited for around the campfire after a few drinks. He is a members here too, but shall remain un-named.
what's the problem
I do not know why some guys are worried about talking about reloading problems? I think it benefits everyone to read and learn from others as it is a reminder that mistakes do happen and readers can learn to be more diligent and cautious while reloading. I do not subscribed to conspiracy theorists who think that everyone is out to get them. This is a gun forum that is used to talk about all aspects of firearms and reloading. If a member is worried about telling a story then don't tell it. However if telling a story helps one person to be more cautious while reloading to prevent accidents then its worth telling.
I do not know why some guys are worried about talking about reloading problems? I think it benefits everyone to read and learn from others as it is a reminder that mistakes do happen and readers can learn to be more diligent and cautious while reloading. I do not subscribed to conspiracy theorists who think that everyone is out to get them. This is a gun forum that is used to talk about all aspects of firearms and reloading. If a member is worried about telling a story then don't tell it. However if telling a story helps one person to be more cautious while reloading to prevent accidents then its worth telling.
Not a disaster, but a great inconvenience, from lack of loading!
In 1964 I entered a shooting match, sporting rifles, iron sights, prone position, to be fired at 200, 300 and 500 yards, at the Prince George range ten miles west of town. Morning of the shoot I was loading my ammunition. Ten rounds, plus two sighters at each range, total of 36. Time was flying, so with 37 loaded rounds for my iron (Lyman 48) sighted Husqvarna 30-06, I got to the range, just in time.
Problem. I won the 200 and tied for first on the 300. A shoot off was required on the 300 and I had to race home, load a dozen more, then puffingly enter the shoot and lost the shoot off, but still came second overall.
As I say, not a disaster, as this thread is supposed to be, but at least different.
And the moral; always be sure you have loaded enough ammo!
In 1964 I entered a shooting match, sporting rifles, iron sights, prone position, to be fired at 200, 300 and 500 yards, at the Prince George range ten miles west of town. Morning of the shoot I was loading my ammunition. Ten rounds, plus two sighters at each range, total of 36. Time was flying, so with 37 loaded rounds for my iron (Lyman 48) sighted Husqvarna 30-06, I got to the range, just in time.
Problem. I won the 200 and tied for first on the 300. A shoot off was required on the 300 and I had to race home, load a dozen more, then puffingly enter the shoot and lost the shoot off, but still came second overall.
As I say, not a disaster, as this thread is supposed to be, but at least different.
And the moral; always be sure you have loaded enough ammo!
Saw a x-ray photo of a long barreled dan wesson .357 revolver with 9 bullets lodged in the barrel with no damage to gun or shooter!Lucky for him.Can't remember the manual..........Strong gun dumb shooter! A buddy of mine got a double load in a S+W 27/.357 and blew off the backstrap splitting the cylinder with no injuries noted.$hit happens.............Harold
