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Can I re-weigh a reload to avoid KABOOM

JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
edited June 2002 in Ask the Experts
I have heard all of the stories about the double charged loads yielding the KABOOM. I havn't had this happen to me (knocking on wood) and would like to avoid it at all costs. I am always very carefull in my loading proceedures, but, I still like a safety mechanism in place. Do you guys re-weigh your loads? Don't you guys think this would clue me in to a potentialy dangerous load? Obviously the brass will be a varying factor in over all weight, but on a full sized caliber, especially a magnum, I would think you would still see a major overweight reading on a double charged load. Thoughts????????

A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
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Comments

  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,036 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i have don this after discovering a powder measure fault or other problem but this is rair. most magnum loadings can not be double charged as there isn't enough room in the case. a digital scale makes this easy, set the scale to zero with a properly loaded round and then reject every round that is off by more than a couple of grains (depending on the cal.).
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  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The largest potential for a double charge comes from light charges of fast burning powder. IE 6gr bullseye in a 44mag case, it would be easy to get 12gr to fit. With a powder charge that more nearly fills the case a double charge won't even come close to fitting (overflows the shell).
    The other condition that has been suspected of causing Kaboom's is a light charge of slow burning powder (squib loads), what is suspected is that somtimes the charge reaches a over-pressure condition before the bullet has left the case (spontainous detination). What is scarry about this condition is that the first 49 shoot ok but the gun blows on # 50.
    The best practice is to charge all the cases, than do a visual inspection / compairson of the charged cases (as a lot) before begining the seating process.
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks Mike whiskey and tailgunner1954.

    These are some simple measures that I can take to assure, or at least do my best, to not experience the KABOOM. I would have put hours into coming up with those suggestions, I appreciate the help/advice.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
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  • erictheredericthered Member Posts: 244 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have attached two small dental mirrors to my press. One directs the
    light into the cartridge and the other allows me to look in it from where I nomally sit.
    It also requires a nearby light source.
    I can visually check every charge even when using a progressive.

    So far no double charges.

    Eric

    thats'me
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    ericthered, I don't suppose you have a picture of that setup?

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
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  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Justc.You can get clip on dental mirrors from most fly tying catalogs.

    The most important things, Are not things.
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks varmint hunter, I will have to check into that. i am still a little fuzzy as to how I set up the whole operation to include the mirrors. Do I clip them to the loading block and move to see each case? I load with a single stage press and try to only do one operation at a time, but a little extra insurance never hurt anyone.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
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  • GWNelsonGWNelson Member Posts: 183 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Generaly speaking, most "Kabooms", are caused from a measure that was not completely emptied. ie, after loading pistol with 2400, or some other fast burner, and 15-20 grains remain in the measure, that quantity of powder finds may its way into the first centerfire case loaded and there is your "KABOOM". Barrel may be split, casehead welded to bolt head, and various other fun things have ovccurred. This is real. GW.
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    OK, so now that several of you have stated that it occurs often due to a powder mix, does that mean that be me loading the cases with a powder funnel, after weighing each charge by hand, one at a time, I have almost no chance of the KB?

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
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  • binderbinder Member Posts: 242 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think the dental mirror idea is good, but I would think you would need a better light source shining down on the loads,charged. Most progressive loaders where you get a loaded shell from each crank of the handle does't usually have that problem of double charging. Straight handloading and some turrets allow for a double charge by accident, they also allow for more of visual check of each shell because you can generally see easily on straight wall shells, but you kindof have to cock your head sideways for necked ones.
    An easy way not to double charge shells is to get a loaders block that holds 10-20 shells with a good amount of space between the rows, and cover the remaining shells or flat out just charge 10 at a time, and place that block to the side and charge your next block, know the level of your charge and check each with a bore light. If you have doubled it, most times you'll be able to see the amount of powder in each shell.
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  • spclarkspclark Member Posts: 408 ✭
    edited November -1
    JustC, Yes, weighting each load is almost foolproof. I've used this method for a couple of years now but suffered a KaBOOM recently with some loads I was testing for .45 ACP. Though I'm positive I didn't double-charge a case (AA#5, once-fired Starline nickle-plated cases, 5 rounds each at 7.5 to 7.9 grains) I had the first round at 7.8 grains blow in the chamber of my HK Expert. Though I came away with nothing but a tingly trigger finger, it ruined my afternoon. I've since learned that 1.) one should NOT shoot lead bullets in non-traditionally rifled guns (HK's, Glock's, Desert Eagle's) - I had been shooting lead wadcutters just before switching to the jacketed bullet test loads, and 2.) I can't be SURE I don't double-charge a case unless I have only one case charged at a time, before the bullet is placed & seated.
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  • spclarkspclark Member Posts: 408 ✭
    edited November -1
    JustC, Yes, weighting each load is almost foolproof. I've used this method for a couple of years now but suffered a KaBOOM recently with some loads I was testing for .45 ACP. Though I'm positive I didn't double-charge a case (AA#5, once-fired Starline nickle-plated cases, 5 rounds each at 7.5 to 7.9 grains) I had the first round at 7.8 grains blow in the chamber of my HK Expert. Though I came away with nothing but a tingly trigger finger, it ruined my afternoon. I've since learned that 1.) one should NOT shoot lead bullets in non-traditionally rifled guns (HK's, Glock's, Desert Eagle's) - I had been shooting lead wadcutters just before switching to the jacketed bullet test loads, and 2.) I can't be SURE I don't double-charge a case unless I have only one case charged at a time, before the bullet is placed & seated.
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