joeb33050
05-17-2009, 08:58 AM
Looking for any additional comments and suggestions.
ANOTHER RELOADING ERROR AND OTHER ADDITIONAL RULES
Wednesday, April 29, 2009, the cast bullet cartridges for the Savage Striker and Competitor pistols were obviously loaded too fast, recoil was much higher than usual. I fired the first, then a second cartridge to see if the first was a fluke, in both pistols.
The powder charge for each was 10 grains more than planned. The cause was that my powder scale was set 10 grains higher than it should have been. Thus a 12.5-grain charge became a 22.5-grain wrong charge, and a 16-grain charge became a 26-grain wrong charge.
I thought the scale was set at 12.5, it was set at 22.5. Then setting for 16, I set the scale for 26-in error.
About 18 years ago I had my first reloading error resulting in my blowing up a NEF Handi-Rifle and blowing off a lot of my trigger finger. It was my fault, I was in too much of a hurry while reloading. This was my only reloading error in 49 years of reloading mostly cast bullets, until last Wednesday.
I don’t know why this last error happened and wonder if it has to do with my age, I’m 71.
At an Old Colony match Marlin Bassett asked me about all the details of my first accident; mentioned that he had had a/some problems, and said that if it happened to him again he’d quit the game. I’m not the only one.
ADDITIONAL RELOADING RULES
Each time I use the scale, I will put it on zero, check the zero, then set the scale to the desired weight. Means that if I’m going to load 13, 14 and 15 grains of a powder, I’ll set the scale to zero and zero it EACH time I set the scale.
I went to the “Cast Boolits” forum, told the story, and got these suggestions:
“Springfield”::
Whenever I am setting up a new bullet and weigh the charges, I always double it to check. If I am running a 12 grain charge, after I get it set right I will set the scale to 24 and measure 2 charges. If it is still good I will reset and measure 3 charges. Makes it very difficult to get it wrong. Haven't blown up anything yet.
(I’ve adopted this as a rule. It is simple, easy for me to remember, and works.)
“1 Shirt”
Glad you are ok Joe. Having blown one myself, and lucky enough not to loose anything other than a little feeling in my thumb for a coouple of weeks, and a lot of embarassment, I now adhere to the following: If the charge does not fill at least half the case, I weigh all loaded rounds for consistancy. I always check the digital with the old lyman, and or visa versa befor charging cases. On fast powder loads, l always weigh all of the finished loads for consistancy. (key here is to use all the same head stamps). It is extra work, but don't want to ruin another rifle, and definately don't want to ruin me any more than I alreald have.
A number of folks suggested using an electronic scale, which I have avoided because of reports of trouble. I bought one, it’s now waiting to be returned. I’ll order another. This would stop me from setting the tens poise incorrectly.
ANOTHER RELOADING ERROR AND OTHER ADDITIONAL RULES
Wednesday, April 29, 2009, the cast bullet cartridges for the Savage Striker and Competitor pistols were obviously loaded too fast, recoil was much higher than usual. I fired the first, then a second cartridge to see if the first was a fluke, in both pistols.
The powder charge for each was 10 grains more than planned. The cause was that my powder scale was set 10 grains higher than it should have been. Thus a 12.5-grain charge became a 22.5-grain wrong charge, and a 16-grain charge became a 26-grain wrong charge.
I thought the scale was set at 12.5, it was set at 22.5. Then setting for 16, I set the scale for 26-in error.
About 18 years ago I had my first reloading error resulting in my blowing up a NEF Handi-Rifle and blowing off a lot of my trigger finger. It was my fault, I was in too much of a hurry while reloading. This was my only reloading error in 49 years of reloading mostly cast bullets, until last Wednesday.
I don’t know why this last error happened and wonder if it has to do with my age, I’m 71.
At an Old Colony match Marlin Bassett asked me about all the details of my first accident; mentioned that he had had a/some problems, and said that if it happened to him again he’d quit the game. I’m not the only one.
ADDITIONAL RELOADING RULES
Each time I use the scale, I will put it on zero, check the zero, then set the scale to the desired weight. Means that if I’m going to load 13, 14 and 15 grains of a powder, I’ll set the scale to zero and zero it EACH time I set the scale.
I went to the “Cast Boolits” forum, told the story, and got these suggestions:
“Springfield”::
Whenever I am setting up a new bullet and weigh the charges, I always double it to check. If I am running a 12 grain charge, after I get it set right I will set the scale to 24 and measure 2 charges. If it is still good I will reset and measure 3 charges. Makes it very difficult to get it wrong. Haven't blown up anything yet.
(I’ve adopted this as a rule. It is simple, easy for me to remember, and works.)
“1 Shirt”
Glad you are ok Joe. Having blown one myself, and lucky enough not to loose anything other than a little feeling in my thumb for a coouple of weeks, and a lot of embarassment, I now adhere to the following: If the charge does not fill at least half the case, I weigh all loaded rounds for consistancy. I always check the digital with the old lyman, and or visa versa befor charging cases. On fast powder loads, l always weigh all of the finished loads for consistancy. (key here is to use all the same head stamps). It is extra work, but don't want to ruin another rifle, and definately don't want to ruin me any more than I alreald have.
A number of folks suggested using an electronic scale, which I have avoided because of reports of trouble. I bought one, it’s now waiting to be returned. I’ll order another. This would stop me from setting the tens poise incorrectly.