Reloading accident and injury

[Caspian_45]

Glad you're ok.

Handgun powders in rifle cartridges usually don't mix well.

I was working on some low powered/sub sonic loads for my 30'06. Not having any Trail Boss on hand I tried the bulkyest powder I had, Clays. Taking some reloading info from others before me I had a start load. That all worked fine with several bullet weights. Still a little too fast I lowered the powder a little. At first I thought that was the end problem, nope. I alway load on a Dillon peogressive. But for this I drug out my ol' Lyman #55 powder measure. Well if you aren't real carefull you could grab the same case twice and put powder in it. I beleive thats what happened, cause the second rd went BOOOOOMMM! and the smoke rolled everywhere. I took the last 3 rds apart and one didn't have any powder. Pulled the barrel to see the problem. The case head expanded so much it cracked the rim of the bolt keeping it from being pulled back through the receiver. I'm ok but the bolt is toast. 22 grains of Clays will not work in a 30'06. The 11 grain load was nice though.

[XD Niner]

Thank you for sharing this incredibly expensive lesson. I hope all turns out well with your injuries. Take care.

[xcelr8n]

I'm glad that you are OK. Thank you for posting this important reminder to always use safe shooting and reloading practices.

[JThompson]

That's nasty...

[Flyin40]

Thanks for sharing. Somebody will read this and change how they reload and store powders or at the very least look over how they do things. Glad your ok and will heal up.

Flyin

[fuzzysights]

Thanks for that reminder. I am glad you are recovering. I had a kaboom in a .40 and the thought of what could have happened scared me considerably. It does make you slow down and consider things more.

[AWLAZS]

I knew the picture would be a hit.

[edison]

that post definitely changed my habits. Thank you.

[jmorris]

You can't be too carefull but varget being extruded is quite different than titegroup. Sure glad you are still with us.

here is a link to photos of other powders too. However, if you have to rely on memory or photos it's fertilizer IMO.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=313544&highlight=photos+powders

Edited March 21, 2010 by jmorris

[bisdak]

Thanks for posting this. I am sure this will reemphasize our respect of our reloading components and the need to be very, very careful. Glad to know you are doing well and shooting back again.

[shooterready]

I wonder what the PF would have been?

ahhh... explosive

Glad you are OK. Lesson to all for sure!!!

[Pezco]

Wow, thanks for sharing and glad you back!

[slowsure]

I keep my powder in the house and my reloading equipment in the garage. Now I remember why.

Glad you are getting better.