S&W 29-2 KaBoom Heavy Pic Warning

RockChucker

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First off lets get it straight "ITS NOT MY REVOLVER !"
Friend just came back from the range with his 44 Mag in pieces.
He was very fortunate not have lost any digits or eyesight. Not a scratch to be seen! Perhaps he should go out and buy a Loto Ticket.
Load consisted of 9.1gr Win 231 under a 240gr. cast bullet.
First four went off like normal then KaBoom! Only difference in recoil from the first was a downward thrust as compared to the normal upward thrust from recoil. Missing pieces are truly missing somewhere in the snow.
He can't quite figure what happened as he is very carefull in weighing out every 5th powder charge he runs through his thrower. Possible double charge?
Take a good look at the pictures attached and formulate your thoughts.
The pic that shows the forcing cone sure is worth a real close look.




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I wonder if that primer blew from the detonation. It doesn't seem to have unseated at all

Did the round on the right detonate as well?

Looking at what that did to the empty casing on the left, I would say that the one on the right just got destroyed like the rest. If it ignited the bullet would have hit the right side of the frame, I think that would have cost some fingers (at a minimum).
 
Obvious case of a double charge. I remember once writing in these threads that a double charge of W231 in a 44 mag, would go off like a hand grenade. Looks like it did.
 
From the original post, that looked like ouch!!!

yup, if loading 9.1gr of WIN231... double load of 18.2gr would be rather nasty. And 18.2gr or 231 fits into a .44 Mag case no problem.

I am amazed the shooter doesn't have metal embedded in his body!

I do not use a progressive press to load magnum loads in my 44. Each one is hand loaded and visually inspected before seating bullet.
 
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:DI don't see any outward signs of excess pressure on the faces & primers of the fired cartridges that would indicate that the load development was fcuked.

I would have to guess a multiple charge or split case.

Some people don't inspect their fired brass anywhere near careful enough.

Life Memberships: NRA, GOA, CSSA, NFA, OFAH
CCW Permits: Utah, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Maine
 
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The 29 looks almost identical to one I saw about 20 years where the guy reloading said he cut way back on 296 since the recoil was too bad. Definitively a double charge of 231 would do that.
In both cases no one was hurt except maybe their pride
khornet..
 
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