Kaboom today

[P7M13]

I'm glad you're OK, what brand of case?

Fiocci (G.F.L.)

dang. had to be a double charge!
that is what i fear most if i get a progressive press. im gonna outfit it with a light and mirror or something so i can see everything once i get one.

Yup, double charges are bad juju...
I've often thought of buying a progressive press, but honestly, running a single stage allows me the opportunity to visually check all the charged cases in the reloading block.
Kinda satisfies my OCD need.

That's the thing - I'm pretty particular about watching my case content before placing the bullet. I've had low powder charges before, but never a double (that I can remember) in tens of thousands of rounds. Evidently a state of denial is taking place here.
All it takes is once.
Going to look at the "Powder Cop", and if I don't like it, figure out something else.

 

[RVTECH]

running a single stage allows me the opportunity to visually check all the charged cases in the reloading block.

Yep I double - ditto this! and I use a small flashlight to make sure I can see the powder.

 

[Greenbug]

Looks more like an out of battery firing than a double charge/kabooom situation. Check out that gun really good. Is your extractor still present?

Glad you are ok.

 

[DirectDrive]

dang. had to be a double charge!

Or bullet setback.

 

[WoodsPlinker]

That sounds like exactly what happened to me once.

Makes ya stop for the day and wet yerself doesn't it?

I think mine was overly used brass though not a double charge. I noticed a line forming on the brass after reloading repeatedly and the case gave out right where that line was.

I have since cycled all my brass.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Good to hear you are good to go.
A lesson learned, be vigilant. Maybe a distraction caused it?

 

[P7M13]

Looks more like an out of battery firing than a double charge/kabooom situation. Check out that gun really good. Is your extractor still present?
Glad you are ok.

Of course I (at first) couldn't believe that I would produce a double-charge. Thought it might be an out-of-battery firing. Once I extracted the case, I checked that. With the slide pulled back ~1mm, the striker will still fire.
Tested the theory on all my other pistols, they are the same, ~1mm of travel and the gun will still fire.
Everything still present on the gun. Going to mic the chamber ID. If I knew someone who had an X-ray weld testing unit, I'd love to see if there are hidden cracks in the chamber/barrel.

Makes ya stop for the day and wet yerself doesn't it?
I think mine was overly used brass though not a double charge. I noticed a line forming on the brass after reloading repeatedly and the case gave out right where that line was.
I have since cycled all my brass.

No depends needed. Definitely stopped the day as the gun was now unsafe. Spent a 1/2 hour picking up parts.
Close inspection of the xploded case, it looks a lot like the old Glock unsupported case ruptures.
A buddy asked how many loadings on the case for that same reason. Now I have a new inspection, in addition to examining for bulges, to make on all my brass (~8K 9mm / 3K 45 ACP / 4K 40S&W....).

 

[P7M13]

Maybe a distraction caused it?

- or -

 

[11Charlie]

Damn!!! Being new to reloading this one of my biggest fears. Glad you are ok brother!!!

 

[P7M13]

Because this is the first time I've loaded these bullets, a part of my testing included checking the crimp. I found with the first dozen, I could push the bullet back into the case. Adjusted the seater/crimp and did not have that problem using what I estimated to be 10 lbs of force against my bench.
The question I had was how many pounds of force should I test this with? I guess I'll check against some production ammo and see.

 

[titsonritz]

My brother watched it unfold, and said, "if it had been a tupperware gun, that sucker would be in pieces, and your hand, probably injured."
We both agreed I was one lucky cuss.

1911 Pistol Fails

 

[Caveman Jim]

View attachment 563068


- or -

View attachment 563069

Either one of those would put me in a trance.
Glad you are safe Bro.

 

[PenTurner]

I bought a USB Endoscope (illuminated optical camera) that connects to my cell phone.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00STB0EW6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My intent was to use my cell phone as a camera monitor to check the powder level before my progressive press put a bullet into the shell. I never have used the progressive press as a full progressive press. I jumped straight to a progressive press when I started out reloading. I started out pulling the shells out of the press after the shells have been resized and flared. I put them in a loading block and use a little dandy powder dispenser to fill the shells and then do a visual before placing the filled shells back in the progressive press. I know it is slower, but it works for me, lol.

I think for those who use a progressive press, a USB Endoscope is something to consider.

Ron

 

[KKG]

I'd like to Suggest you contact Ruger about sending it back for a Full Check up since you were using reloads I'm sure it won't be Warranty work it but IMO would it would be for the Best!!!

 

[Boboclown]

My brother watched it unfold, and said, "if it had been a tupperware gun, that sucker would be in pieces, and your hand, probably injured."
We both agreed I was one lucky cuss.

I'm not a huge fan of polymer pistols but even steel can bust. It just depends on how bad it happened.

 

[leadcounsel]

Glad you are safe. I have had 1 major kaboom like yours, and it was with someones' reloads.

Every time I consider reloading, I see a post like this and figure I'm not going to chance it. Seems it's almost always reloads. And if it's factory ammo the manufacturer will be liable for damages.

 

[bbbass]

I've watched slo-mo vids of how polymer framed pistols flex with recoil.... I'm wondering if they wouldn't just expand and settle back down instead of breaking apart?

 

[P7M13]

Blasphemy! A Glock would have taken the hit and still made you breakfast with a smile.

You want hamburger sausage with that?
These 6 Glock Pistol Fails Will Leave You in Shock (Warning: Graphic Images)

 

[nammac]

I've watched slo-mo vids of how polymer framed pistols flex with recoil.... I'm wondering if they wouldn't just expand and settle back down instead of breaking apart?

If I recall correctly, some of the fails with polymer pistols have been catastrophic, like digit removal and such.

 

[nammac]

You want hamburger sausage with that?
These 6 Glock Pistol Fails Will Leave You in Shock (Warning: Graphic Images)

Yup, like I said, digit removal... Yowzer!!!!