Share Some Reloading "Accidents"
I'm at work and bored. Last night I was decapping .45 cases and punctured my thumb, all the way to the die face. Hurts like a mother.
Want to hear some stories from you all on some harrowing experiences at the reloading bench...
Want to hear some stories from you all on some harrowing experiences at the reloading bench...
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Ha, I did that to my pinkie. Right to the bone.
That's about the worst though.0 -
Not a reloading accident, but related.... Along time ago , I bought a 1970 "Cuda {with a hemi} that was set up for drag racing in the old B/modified class. These classes had very strict rules. The first weekend we were working on the new car, I asked my helper to drill two 3/8" holes in the rear frame rails so I could mount a new fuel pump.
He started to scream when he pulled the bit out of the first hole. Almost 75 pounds of #12
lead shot flowed out onto the floor. "hidden" ballast was a NO-NO in that class.[:0]0 -
I made the mistake of seating a high primer on a 9MM round in 1983; the explosion left me deaf for hours, the scar left by the big hunk of brass left in my belly is a reminder to not be that stupid again. The keyhole bullet impact going through the ceiling drywall still burned into my brain.
I still have the head of the brass case, blown to bits, head stamp MM44 as a reminder.0 -
That's hardcore, I assume that by "high primer" you are referring to a primer that is not seated fully and sticking out? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by bpost
I made the mistake of seating a high primer on a 9MM round in 1983; the explosion left me deaf for hours, the scar left by the big hunk of brass left in my belly is a reminder to not be that stupid again. The keyhole bullet impact going through the ceiling drywall still burned into my brain.
I still have the head of the brass case, blown to bits, head stamp MM44 as a reminder.
You know it was a big wreck when you still get part numbers off the pieces....[;)][8D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by gknaka2
That's hardcore, I assume that by "high primer" you are referring to a primer that is not seated fully and sticking out?
Yup, I had about 10 or so that did not seat all the way, the crimp removal was not complete so they were sticking up. It was about the fifth or sixth round that went BOOM. The hunk of brass in my belly still shows up nicely on x-rays.....0 -
[8D] Heh Heh, not one like this ??
quote:Originally posted by babun
Not a reloading accident, but related.... Along time ago , I bought a 1970 "Cuda {with a hemi} that was set up for drag racing in the old B/modified class. These classes had very strict rules. The first weekend we were working on the new car, I asked my helper to drill two 3/8" holes in the rear frame rails so I could mount a new fuel pump.
He started to scream when he pulled the bit out of the first hole. Almost 75 pounds of #12
1972, last year for the 426
[:o)][:o)] JIMBO
lead shot flowed out onto the floor. "hidden" ballast was a NO-NO in that class.[:0]0 -
Close, but no cigar. Back in the 70's and 80's I cut up a lot of great cars to make dragsters out of. The hemi cuda I bought was a race car from almost day one. It was owned by the Mr. Gasket Co, so if you know that name, you know it was done right. Thing is IF that car was left original, It would be $250,000 today. IF WE ONLY KNEW!!!!![:0] 0 -
20 years ago, I was shooting my 4 5/8" Blackhawk .45 Colt on my 100 yd. rifle range (I can't shorten the distance since I shoot across a swampy creek bed). My standard load for that gun was 10 gr. Unique and a cast 255 gr. bullet. The first shot recoiled pretty strong. I fire 5-shot groups so fired the other 4. When I checked the chronograph, it read 1352 FPS! My average for that load had been around 970 fps. My scale measured in 5 gr. increments and, you guessed it, when I pulled the bullets in the rest of that batch, they were loaded with 15 gr.! That old 3-screw Blackhawk swallowed those 50% overloads without a hiccup. Too bad, too: The extreme spread from fastest to slowest of the 5 shots was only 38 fps and the group measured 9.35"--the best group I ever fired with that gun. 0 -
Just read about a guy that died after he dropped a glass jar full of primers on a concrete floor.
People...please do not store primers in a glass jar. Glass doesn't go well as shrapnel against flesh.0 -
Check and double check if you change ANY component.I had loaded over
150,000 45ACP and used same brand of brass some loaded over 20 times
each . I wanted to work up some super dooper accurate loads for
slow fire and Purchased 500 Nosler 185 grain bullets , Nmber #1
change in a component as I had always used Lead 215 grain or 200
grain bullets. Then I had gotten a 50 Cal can of once fired REM-UMC
brass DA DA #2 second change of an component.Then went all the way
and bought 500 Match Primers TA DA #3 again another component and
just to make sure I also changed the powder from Bulls-Eye to Vitavori 310. "the so called MARINE load " as the marines had given
up on Federal Match 185 grain ammo because of quality control
problems. I figured I would work up groups with first 100 rounds
and save the rest for slow fire At State Championships and Camp
Perry national championships . All loads fired at 50 yards in
ransom rest with use of chrongraph 10 shot groups with .1 grain
increments Third group out of a total of 5 varying loads 1&1/4
inch. go home load 30 rounds of this powder charge go back to range
shoot 30 shots on one composit target 1&3/8 high by 1&1/8 wide[:D][:D][^] Go home and load remaining 420 rounds ready to win FIRST
place. Go to state championship . Second string of slow fire Bang Bang
KABOOM[:(] magazine in 3 pieces at my feet one empty case at my
feet less 1/2 of case head one other cartridge a wreck and one
unhurt still loaded cartridge . but a slight problem right hand jet
black from powder burns and now instead of a pair of grips I had
many small parts of grips . Got out my spare pistol and finished
the centerfire part of the match with lead loads albeit slight
flinching first 20 or so shots. [:o)][:I]. Lunch time check out
primary pistol "No Damage " install grips off spare Kart 22 and
Shoot 45 stage with primary pistol useing lead loads . Retired the
SUPER DOOPER loads . Two years later go to state Championships shot
on a BEACH military range with 40 MPH winds got out the super
dooper loads again to keep from wasting my new lead loads in the
wind . This time did not even get off the first 5 rounds when you
guessed it KABOOM with same results as first time wrecked grips and nerves [:(!][:(!][:(!] at how stupid I am finished match
with spare pistol. Go home install new grips and test with lead
loads no damage but my nerves. I decided I would weigh all
remaining loads can't find any error but decide to pull bullets . I
am CHEAP. I had pulled factory military Ball bullets before so out
comes the inertia bullet puller. [:)]normal factory 45 ammo takes
at least 3 Hard raps per round .I am still mad so install first
super dooper round and give it one good smack . WOW the bullet is
out so I take second round and give it medium rap again bullet come
out DAMN third round and just a VERY VERY small tap. same results. Finally LIGHT BULB Nosler bullet is .451 all lead bullets are .452.
[:0] REM-UMC case wall thickness is .003 thiner then my WCC MATCH
cases for a total of .003 +.003 +.001= .007 difference on bullet
neck tension. go back to loaded Nosler super dooper load and press
the nose of bullet in loaded rounds . less the 2 pounds pressure and
kaplunk bullet slides down in case and stops only when it touches
the 4.2 grains of powder now cartridge OAL even shorter then 45
GAP [:0][:(!][V][xx(][:(]This causes over load condition IF nose of
bullet hitting feed ramp come close to 2 pounds . MORAL of story change one component at a time and don't assume that just because you have been loading for years you can't screw up.0 -
Does slicing a chunk of fingertip off by catching it between rising pistol case and bottom of square edged die count? Bled like rain and of course full of dirt, brass, and grease. Took a long time to heal since it was left index finger which gets in the way frequently. I just finished(hope I caught all of them) some 38's that I loaded during a braindead moment. A stray bit of the powder can seal got caught in the measure and I loaded about 25 with it partially blocked. Fortunately, I had just changed catch pans when I refilled the powder so I'm pretty sure I got them all. No bullets stuck in barrel but a couple barely made it to the target. Shot the last one last night and it made less noise than a 22 but still got out the muzzle. 0 -
Got some handy dandy brass wash. soaked cases and then let dry in sun. Put them away in sealed plastic cases. Used them for reloading. When I get the bottom I find water and look in the brass. they are wet. Well long story short about 20% of them barly made it 30 yards to the target. But they did cycle the gun. 0 -
Plugged a barrel with a lightly/unpowdered case. Took rifle to someone who knew what to do. He takes cleaning rod and peens bullet in the middle of the barrel. That barrel came off for a replacement.
Got frustrated and trying to go as fast as I could with some Wolf primers (slightly larger btw than American small rifle primers. Blew primer off... Good thing I kept telling myself all the while I started loading with a hand primer....point it away from your face! I didn't catch any of the blast but it sure woke me up!0 -
So about 40 years you could buy surplus powder in a paper bag for two bucks a pound H4831 or H4895 from the drug/sporting good store. A nice guy down the street would sell us pulled 174 gr FMJ boattails for penny a piece. Anyway we were shooting really good ammo in an 30-06 for about three cents a round. I think we went through a five gallon bucket of those bullets.
Next we tried cast 6.5 mm bullets swaged out to 30 cal with a 270 gas check on the bottom making a short boattail base. Made for an interesting looking bullet. Anyway my buddy loads some test rounds with a full case of the 4831. He fired the first round and said the recoil seemed high. Case looked fine so I shot the second and yes indeed recoil was harsh. Had to beat bolt open with a stick, primer very flat, black ring. Later pulled the rest and discovered he had loaded a full case of 4895. I had never really like that Savage 110E up until then but I had a great deal of respect for it after that event. Be sure of your components.0 -
Do ya'll wear safety glasses when you reload? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
So about 40 years you could buy surplus powder in a paper bag for two bucks a pound H4831 or H4895 from the drug/sporting good store. A nice guy down the street would sell us pulled 174 gr FMJ boattails for penny a piece. Anyway we were shooting really good ammo in an 30-06 for about three cents a round. I think we went through a five gallon bucket of those bullets.
Next we tried cast 6.5 mm bullets swaged out to 30 cal with a 270 gas check on the bottom making a short boattail base. Made for an interesting looking bullet. Anyway my buddy loads some test rounds with a full case of the 4831. He fired the first round and said the recoil seemed high. Case looked fine so I shot the second and yes indeed recoil was harsh. Had to beat bolt open with a stick, primer very flat, black ring. Later pulled the rest and discovered he had loaded a full case of 4895. I had never really like that Savage 110E up until then but I had a great deal of respect for it after that event. Be sure of your components.
I remember those days....[:D] 'course they were after the days my uncle got several grocery bags full of pulldown 4895 free. That was pulldown powder from 30-06, from the plant down in Hawthorne NV. My uncle worked there back in the early/mid fifties.0 -
I once bought 6 one hundred pound drums of 4831 surplus powder at $55.00 per 100 pounds. I transported it in my small car one drum in right-hand front bucket seat three drums just fit standing up side by side rear seat and two drums in trunk . I had over 100 mile trip and smoked a pipe at that time I gave up smoking for 3 hours. If I had not quit smoking for the trip most likely someone else would have written about this accident that was waiting to happen [:0][:0][:0][:0] 0 -
LOL!!! 600 lbs of powder in a car. 0 -
Many many years ago I had reloaded some 16gauge active shells. We were shooting some clays in the desert outside cottonwood Arizona. I was shooting a beautiful Sterlingworth SbS. I was hitting everything my dad could throw, Racing my grandfather on every shot. It got to going fast and furious. Suddenly KABOOM and I can hardly see, my head is ringing and I'm fighting to stay standing. I know something is wrong but I'm trying to stay focused and lay what is left of the shotgun on the ground. Father and grandfather grab me and discuss who is going to hold my head. I'm thinking, why are they holding my head? I realize the inside of my left arm is bleeding very badly. They pull a piece of wood out of my neck about an inch and a half long. Then pull several pieces of metal and plastic case out of the left side of my face and chest. Upon investigation we found that the shell in the left barrel had a case separation and the head had ejected but the walls of the shell had stayed in the barrel. I had then dropped in the next round, snapped closed and "PULL". Left barrel at chamber had disentagrated, taking metal from the receiver and wood from the stock and blown them into my left side. I can't get an MRI because of the metal left in my neck. (I keep the xrays for unbelieving MD's) Don't know what caused the initial head seperation but I assure you I dont rush things anymore. I've never loaded another active shell. glad just to live through it. Ruined a beautiful firearm at the same time 0 -
A member of our shooting club tried to remove a stuck case from his press with a hammer[xx(].He did a good job. He removed three of his fingers when it went off!!!!![;)] 0 -
This could've been a huge accident.
My daughter and her buddies were bringing home a mattress set that I had had bought for her. It was going to be given to my son who needed a better mattress. Anyhow, one of them is smoking and tosses the butt out the window[:(!][:(!][:(!] (saw too many fires in the Sierra's from that[V][V][V]) The butt goes back and lands in the box spring. When they get to the house, smoke is pouring out of it. Well, they get the hose and water it down until it looks out. (It's not...[:0]) Anyways, thinking it's out they take it around to the side of my house thinking, "Dad will pay the thirty bucks to have it disposed of." About three hours later, I get a call from the neighbor girl while I'm down in Chicago. She says, "The police need to talk to you, hold on." HUH??? The cop gets on my neighbors phone and proceeds to tell me I have to get to my house now! Not happening, I say, I'm in Chicago, The soonest I can be there is six hours from now. That is , if I have a good trip. My other neighbor, Dave, I honestly hope some of you have a neighbor this good. Like gold, seriously. He checks out the house, Dogs are okay (I would hate to lose my guns but my dogs? NO) My son who comes home about ten minutes later gets the third degree from the cop.
When the mattress lit back up it melted most of the siding on the west side of my house. ....Right outside my reloading room. Where I have a bunch of primers and smokeless powder. If that lit up it wouldn't be good[:(] [:(]
But, as it turned out, just the siding was melted and we got new, bright yellow siding with chocolate trim (has a nice antique look to it) for a grand.
I used to tease my wife that had that gone off and she was home her lily white butt would be flying through the air....BOOOOM!{hand sign=end-over-end}[;)][8D][;)] She didn't laugh...[:D] I did. But, I'm sure glad my doggies didn't get hurt in any way.[:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by gknaka2
Do ya'll wear safety glasses when you reload?
NAW!! It makes it harder to see the fine details0 -
Just out of curiosity, and maybe I'm missing something here...When I have squib rounds with no powder, the primer barely makes any noise (even with no hearing protection), yet when people have primers go off at the reloading bench, they complain of deafness for days. What gives? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by gknaka2
Just out of curiosity, and maybe I'm missing something here...When I have squib rounds with no powder, the primer barely makes any noise (even with no hearing protection), yet when people have primers go off at the reloading bench, they complain of deafness for days. What gives?
Simple the bullet, case and gun muffle the sound and the majority of the blast wave from the primer is contained, like a suppressor. When a primer goes off while reloading, it is not at all muffled and since most loading rooms have very few soft things to absorb the noise it echoes0 -
quote:Originally posted by lksmith03
quote:Originally posted by gknaka2
Just out of curiosity, and maybe I'm missing something here...When I have squib rounds with no powder, the primer barely makes any noise (even with no hearing protection), yet when people have primers go off at the reloading bench, they complain of deafness for days. What gives?
Simple the bullet, case and gun muffle the sound and the majority of the blast wave from the primer is contained, like a suppressor. When a primer goes off while reloading, it is not at all muffled and since most loading rooms have very few soft things to absorb the noise it echoes
That and its right in your face . [:D]0 -
everyone should be aware of this, happens in shotguns also,,,my best friend bought a new/slightly used 357...complete with hand loads...we went out to shoot it....put 6 in cylinder....the first one just gave a pop..so he pulled hammer back and started to sight in,to fire again...i stopped him and suggested we check barrel...the primer firing sent the lead round into but not out of barrel...his next shot would have blown up in his face...we used to pick up shot shell casings during dove season...nice and dry...in the hunting vest a dove feather will get in casing...while reloading the primer ejector will go thru the feather and eject spent primer, new one pressed in, then powder placed , wad and shot...all while the feather is still in the case....when fired the primer does not set off the powder....wads stick in barrel...and your looking on gun-broker for a new barrel....and maybe a glass eye........seuf 0 -
..that's exactly why I carry a 5/16 x 7" hex bolt (make sure you put on a big rubber washer to protect the muzzle) to the range along with a small hammer. Everytime I feel something funny, that rod goes straight down the barrel to check, and I can do it keeping my face away from the muzzle. If it's in there, a couple taps from the hammer and the bullet is out, no harm.
I've caught at least 3 squibs that way.0 -
quote:Originally posted by EhlerDave
quote:Originally posted by lksmith03
quote:Originally posted by gknaka2
Just out of curiosity, and maybe I'm missing something here...When I have squib rounds with no powder, the primer barely makes any noise (even with no hearing protection), yet when people have primers go off at the reloading bench, they complain of deafness for days. What gives?
Simple the bullet, case and gun muffle the sound and the majority of the blast wave from the primer is contained, like a suppressor. When a primer goes off while reloading, it is not at all muffled and since most loading rooms have very few soft things to absorb the noise it echoes
That and its right in your face . [:D]
I had my first primer go off this week and even though it was about 2 feet from me, it made me ears ring0 -
Started out on a long awaited, long planned, long drive grouse hunt with two friends. As we travel I talk about the need to reload correctly and about the close tolerances of high quality double shotguns. Just after leaving the vehicle, I fire with sxs at first grouse and get a dud, shot rolls out the muzzle. Of course I know what has happened and what not to do next! So I the "great teacher", call over my two friends and explain what has occurred and how important it is to clear the bore. I always carry a rod in my gun case, I break the action open pull out the shell and then hold the bore up to the sky to look for obstruction. All the unburnt powder spills out the bore on to my face and all thru the action, while my two partners look on. There is so much unburnt powder all down thru the action of my high quality double that I can not close the action! I spend the rest of the morning walking along with a empty jammed gun flushing straight away grouse for my two friends, telling them about the importance of a good tight crimp and wearing shooting glasses when clearing the bore.
If you get a dud...don't tilt the bore up and let all that unburnt powder come back into your gun.0
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