Always pay attention while reloading

[age_ranger]

While I'm still not 100% sure what happened, Here's a picture of a recent kaboom I had with my pistol. I'm going to leave out the pistol details until I get some facts about it, but the initial conclusion was a double charge. I had used a powder trickler and measured each charge and loaded as I went. I went the extra mile to make sure this batch of ammo was perfect to see what kind of accuracy I would get and see how consistently it shot. Here's the load I was using:

147gr Frontier copper plated
mixed cases
magtech standard small pistol primers
3.4gr titegroup
1.145" OAL
.376" crimp

I'm posting this so that other may possibly learn from my mistake, if that's what it was. I am 100% certain I had loaded these correctly and would only be speculating if I tried to explain what happened. Right now the manufacturer is in the process of getting the pistol from me to do a little research on it. I double and triple checked my RCBS scale and calipers to ensure they were correct and checked teh setup on my LEE turret press which also checked out OK. I also pulled about 600+ bullets (trust me, after this happened I couldn't help but wonder.....) anyway, I pulled them and checked the powder charge and dimensions on them all. Funny how different cases weight more/less. So, all I could come up with is a possible human error or maybe a bad case. Other than that, a firearm malfunction is pretty much it.

The brass has "welded" the barrel in place and I have a few pieces of shrapnel in my forehead that will be coming out soon. The initial blast stung my hand and it felt like my forehead was hit with a hammer. Thank God for glasses and hats!!

I do sit at my reloader and get in the zone....I do everything methodically and do my best to ensure accuracy and quality. I'm humbled by what happened and can only offer this bit of advice. If you're going to load, make sure each round is made with the same attention as the first. While I would like to think that I did everything right, there's always the possibility that I made a mistake.

Please do not make this out to be a bash on a pistol or manufacturer. Until all the facts are known, I'd just like this to be a lesson passed on. I'll post all the facts as soon as they're available.

[nuparadigm]

147gr Frontier copper plated
mixed cases
magtech standard small pistol primers
3.4gr titegroup
1.145" OAL
.376" crimp

Your powder charge of Titegroup is within Hornady's published range of charges for 147 gr. jacketed bullets. However, plated rounds are normally loaded to lead bullet specs (which have lower charge weights).

I couldn't find (on the Hornady load data site http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp) the data for 147 gr. lead bullets with Titegroup.

Did your KB result from a single round? Was a bullet lodged in the barrel from the previous shot? I realize that you may not know the answer, but most KB's result from an obstructed (or partially obstructed)barrel.

[jbirds1210]

I am glad the damage to you was kept to a minimum. A good lesson for all of us to remember. Thanks for the photo.


Jason

[Skiprr]

On this Thanksgiving, I'm thankful Age Ranger still has his eyesight and isn't carrying too much embedded shrapnel.

All: Think about adding side-shields to your shooting glasses.

[HighVelocity]

I use jacketed data on Frontier and Berry's plated bullets (not on Ranier though).

Your load looks good to me and 6.8 of TG would have made for a pretty full case and you would've noticed it. It may have just been a defective piece of brass.

[Target1911]

I am happy to hear YOU are ok. I hope you find the cause of the KB. The worst feeling is having a big problem and not knowing what caused it.

[Houston1944]

Welcome to the kb club, not exactly a group one wants to join. Mine was back in '01, a time when a lot of us were blowing up 40 caliber Glocks.

I was never able to be 100% sure, but I do believe my kb was a combination of unsupported case and bullet setback. Bullet setback can be a real devil in the 40, but usually not such a sensitive issue in the 9mm and 45. Good luck in your research to determine the cause of your kb.

[age_ranger]

Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated and I am very happy to report that goggles/hat probably saved me from further injury than I already have.

Loading plated bullets to lead bullet specs is something I didn't think about and luckily I load them lightly. I'll have to keep that in mind for the future. I have a few hundred loaded up with 3.9gr of titegroup to match my carry loads but haven't shot them yet. I might have to pull those and switch to some FMJ.

Are the Delta Precision bullets jacketed? I've been thinking of getting some ordered up but would like to be able to load some up to match the Win. Rangers I use for carry.

[Stupid]

This is the main reason I switched to Trail Boss. There's no way you can double-charge with Trail Boss as it will overflow.

[dukalmighty]

Have you sent your fruit of the looms in to have them tested and see if under the circumstances they could replace them as i'm sure they musta been ruined,on the serious side i load unique and usually load in the 5.3 grn range behind a 125 grn lead bullet,I hope i never have a KB but i'm glad you weren't seriously injured firearms can be replaced but eyes and appendages don't grow back,I hope they figure it out,i'm wondering if it could be a case of detonation where the case has excess room and when the powder ignites it over pressures the case before the bullet starts moving,I think i explained that right if i'm wrong in that explanation somebody set me straight

[age_ranger]

Arrangements are being made to get the pistol back to teh manufacturer and hopefully, they'll send a replacement back soon. I think they're waiting to get this pistol back before sending out another. At least, I hope that's the case.

[Sailor]

Shaun,

I find that most KaBooms happen from double charges of powder, bullet recession, etc. i.e reloader error. If a KaBoom does happen due to barrel obstruction the barrel is usually bulged at the point of obstruction. Part 1 from a negative personal experience.

JMHO,

Cody

[age_ranger]

I'm far from perfect and can make errors. I did learn allot from this, so it's not a total loss and I do have my health. I was able to get the pistol off to Beretta so I'll post anything I hear on this. Their initial response form looking at pictures was a double charge as well.

[DoubleJ]

Hmmmmmmmmmm, knowing that it was AgeRanger that posted this, I knew it was a Beretta that he blowed up!

you going to have to change your name RageAnger now?
glad you're not hurt!

[age_ranger]

Well, watch out everyone, age_ranger soon to be back on the range!!! Met with the people at the Beretta Gallery today to pick up my new PX4G LE model. Beretta was very generous with the replacement charge and I couldn't be happier. I was wondering if my old one felt this good in the hand!!!! How I missed my Beretta! Anyway, I sent in a KB'd PX4 and the mag that was in it and I got back a new G model with three mags. I'm also getting back most of the parts form the old pistol. The Gun Smith is checking it out to determine what parts are still good and sending them back. Frame will be destroyed along with barrel/slide.

I've also worked up a fantastic load using N340 and the 147gr plated bullets. Got my specs 100% and powder charge just right. Looking forward to a fun year in IDPA..............thanks to all for their support and insight. Much appreciated.