Suggestions........

[Bob Baker]

These suggestions are prompted by a customers revolver I looked at this morning.

Don’t try down loading with H110 or WW296.

When shooting, if the bullet isn’t at least falling out of the end of the barrel, stop shooting.  This may be a clue the loads aren’t proper.

When shooting, if the bullets aren’t at least falling out of the end of the barrel, stop shooting.  Don’t reload and try some more.  Again, this may be a clue that the loads aren’t proper.

When shooting, if a weak or abnormal report or no report is heard, stop shooting.  This may be a clue the loads aren’t proper.

Beginner reloaders should first read the educational sections of their loading manual several times before ever loading a cartridge.

Experienced reloaders should from time to time reread the educational sections of their reloading manuals.

Before shooting a new firearm, read the manual to become aware or the proper use and care of that firearm.

From time to time, reread the firearm manual to become proficient in the proper use and care of that firearm.

None of us are so good that we couldn’t benefit from a refresher course.

These few suggestions should not be taken as the whole story.  Read or reread the loading manual and firearm manual.

I doubt this customer or any bystanders understand how lucky they were but we will do our best to make sure the customer understands.  Very few guns would have let the consumer get away with what was done in this case.

Respectfully given with the idea of hopefully saving someone some heart ache.
Bob Baker

[Dusty Miller]

This man knows his stuff, heed his advice.

[STJ]

So how many bullets were there in the barrel....?

[jpsmith1]

WOW, scary isn't it?

[EdK]

This man knows his stuff, heed his advice.

Sure, but I suspect the chances that the owner of that gun will ever see this post are nil.

The sad fact is that in this country there are people that could kill themselves with a cordless drill or any number of household items and at the same time are legally qualified to buy a FA revolver and load for it. Worse still, there is a lawyer that will take the case when the person blows themselves up. Next the gun manufacturers' insurance company might settle out of court because it is the most expedient method of disposing of the problem. Finally the insurance premiums to the manufacturer are increased and ultimately passed on to the consumer.

That's how the system works 

[Bob Baker]

I didn’t talk to the individual but based on my understanding of the conversation, the individual isn’t new to reloading.  Probably about average experience.  He was using one of the automatic powder drops but was ending up with approximately 50% of the intended powder.  There are at least two bullets stuck in the barrel, maybe a third, plus the bullet that was stuck between the cylinder and barrel which locked up the gun and sealed the chamber.

Overall he was fortunate.  Pressure level was extreme.  Between the primer pocket and primer, enough pressure was vented quick enough to save the cylinder and receiver.  A little more powder and the story could have been different.  New barrel, firing pin and bushing is all that is needed.

My main reason for posting the suggestions was to point out that we all need to be aware during the complete process.  From picking the components we are going to use right on through to firing the round and making sure where the bullet ended up.  Sometimes we can do everything right but something we can’t control will still go wrong.  A while back I experienced my first hang fire.  I heard the hammer hit, the primer pop but no bang or recoil.  A second or so later the cartridge went off.  I held the gun on target the whole time so it wasn’t a big deal.  The individual with me commented how he would have assumed a misfire and would have pulled the gun off target.  It is just like driving a car, we not only have to pay attention to what we are doing but to our equipment and our surroundings.

[Old Griz]

Having never experienced a hang fire, how long should you hold the gun on target before deciding it is a misfire?

[454PB]

When I bought my F.A. 83 and began building handloads, I found a recipe that produced 100% hangfires. These were the "click-bang" type, but still very disturbing.

I've experienced hangfires in other guns, but all behaved that same way. Still, in the cases where I had an actual misfire, I held the weapon pointed down range for a good minute before opening the action, and then ejected the bum round quickly on the ground and walked away for a while.