Had a KaBoom. Need some help with diagnosing...

[AFTII]

The discussion is about shooting someone else's reloads, not your own where you yourself can ensure quality control.

There is a reason why virtually every "kaboom" thread includes a detail that the ammo were reloads, loaded by someone other than the shooter.

By that logic, virtually every KaBoom thread deals with a Glock chambered in 40 S&W. Virtually all of these cases deal with the Glock being capable of firing out of battery. So, it must be the gun, right? Or is it the fault of the bulged case? Or was there a speck of dirt in the chamber that kept the Glock from going completely into battery. As you can see, "virtually" is a poor choice of descriptor. Virtually all arguments that include the word virtually can be discounted as unfounded. Its about as useful as the word "clearly."

(BTW, I own two Glocks chambered in .40 S&W. I've shot hundreds of reloads through them and never had an issue.)

And no this was not solely a discussion about shooting someone else's reloads. Like virtually every thread on the topic of reloads, the conversation degenerated to this: "agreed but shooting only factory ammo gives you the best chance of success."

That is the statement that I responded to. I would argue that the converse is true. Shooting reloads gives you the best chance of success, because of all the care required in loading the round as I stated above.

If you personally don't like shooting reloads, by all means don't shoot them. But, spreading fear about reloading or shooting reloads is not productive or well founded. Reloads offer more advantages than disadvantages. But, one like EVERY aspect of the shooting sports, reloading must be done carefully and respectfully. If someone is not prepared to do that, they should not reload. They certainly should not offer their reloads to others.

[gmbat]

use a small dowel to ck powder depth prior to bullet seating.

Good idea. One of the features I like about my Dillon 650XL is that is has a powder charge station that sounds an alarm if you are over / under the setting. I've intentionally over and under filled some cases and it does work.

[CK_32]

Pics of the gun?

[TomReloaded]

The problem is too many reloaders think the point of loading is to make max load nuclear ammo. If someone brags about how hot their reloads are, their gun is probably next to kb.

Max loads are also rarely the most accurate or functional. Too many reloaders do sketchy stuff.

Also, safe loading has nothing to do with pressure specs of ammo. 45 isnt safer than anything because its rated for low pressure. Its almost irrelevant really. 9mm is much higher pressure and also safer to load, its pressure tolerance is amazingly high. Wildly high pressure out of spec 9mm is sold commercially and can be 10,000psi over pressure. That kind of overpressure blows up guns in other calibers

[beerman]

What would you recommend. When I first started using bullseye I was shocked at how little it needed to get a decent charge in my 45. I'm running 4.3 grains right now but the can is almost done, I've got a can of longshot that I haven't opened but it's suppose to start at 6.0 and end at 6.8 do you know if that fills the case up at least more than bullseye?

That should fill a case..I currently use Unique..Cant remember the load, as I'm at work.

[CaffeinFeign]

I am with everyone else, I vote #2.
Although 45 brass does wear some, I have TZZ military 45 brass that is from the 80"s that I am still shooting to this day, you just need to stay on top of your components. I had a shotgun blow up next to me duck hunting as a kid, something you will NEVER forget. Reloading is only as good as the person doing it. I don't shoot others reloads, and I don't offer up mine.
Thank God, that you are okay OP, I guess I'll ask the question that everyone is thinking... you gonna shoot your pals reloads again??

[CWM4A1]

There may be another possibility: improper or no crimp on the bullet. If the bullet got pushed into the casing, it's possible to create excessive pressure even with standard load. Case failure like this is 100% from excessive pressure, and it could happen by either double charge or bullet set back.

Under normal load, even if the case is being loaded one time too many, the case will have a stress crack from case mouth toward the case head, and normally does not have adverse effect to the gun at all.

[stix213]

By that logic, virtually every KaBoom thread deals with a Glock chambered in 40 S&W. Virtually all of these cases deal with the Glock being capable of firing out of battery. So, it must be the gun, right? Or is it the fault of the bulged case? Or was there a speck of dirt in the chamber that kept the Glock from going completely into battery. As you can see, "virtually" is a poor choice of descriptor. Virtually all arguments that include the word virtually can be discounted as unfounded. Its about as useful as the word "clearly."

(BTW, I own two Glocks chambered in .40 S&W. I've shot hundreds of reloads through them and never had an issue.)

And no this was not solely a discussion about shooting someone else's reloads. Like virtually every thread on the topic of reloads, the conversation degenerated to this: "agreed but shooting only factory ammo gives you the best chance of success."

That is the statement that I responded to. I would argue that the converse is true. Shooting reloads gives you the best chance of success, because of all the care required in loading the round as I stated above.

If you personally don't like shooting reloads, by all means don't shoot them. But, spreading fear about reloading or shooting reloads is not productive or well founded. Reloads offer more advantages than disadvantages. But, one like EVERY aspect of the shooting sports, reloading must be done carefully and respectfully. If someone is not prepared to do that, they should not reload. They certainly should not offer their reloads to others.

Your comparison using "virtually every KaBoom thread deals with a Glock chambered in 40 S&W" would have more effect if this kaboom thread itself involved a Glock, which is not the case, but of course it does involve shooting someone else's reloads as usual.

I haven't seen a single statement in this thread telling people to avoid shooting their own reloads in favor of factory ammunition, so you're getting bent out of shape over something but I can't tell what.

Most people don't make their own reloads, and general statements like "don't shoot reloads" instead of "don't shoot reloads that you didn't personally load the powder, know some of the history of the case, drop in the bullet, and crimp in your own garage unless you don't have a garage you can do it in a spare room or the kitchen" have the same meaning to anyone that reads them in context. Understand people here on Calguns are usually on their phones, so keep statements short even if they leave off implied qualifiers.

People do the same thing in the legal forums all the time as well, leaving off obvious qualifiers to their statements. For example when someone says "It is illegal to import large-capacity magazines" it is understood they mean "It is illegal to import large-capacity magazines, unless you are currently employed in law enforcement, currently are an FFL with the appropriate permits, currently own any business that is exempt from the import ban such as armored cars, or were in possession of the magazine within the state of California prior to 1/1/2000." It is just easier to say the first shorter version and make an assumption the reader has a high enough level of intelligence to figure out what they mean based on context.

[RickD427]

I'll join the long string of folks voting for #2 - A double charge in the case.

If there is no damage to the barrel, you can pretty much rule out #1.

The weapon design makes it pretty difficult to have a "out-of-battery" discharge.

I would also examine the barrel to see if some amateur gunsmith (or gunbutcher) did an improper job of "throating" the chamber. That's also been responsible for quite few mishaps as you've described.

A lot of "old-time" 1911 shooters like myself really like to use the older model Pachmayr rubber grips with the full length metal inserts. No one ever plans on a double charge, but stuff happens and the metal inserts do a good job of protecting your hands, and the rubber doesn't splinter.

[AC489]

Thanks for all the input. It helps restore my confidence a bit. The rounds in question were reloaded by my Uncle, who died a few years ago. The round in question was provided by his brother (another Uncle). He also owns the P 220.

I'll try to snap a few pics of the gun before I take it to a smith for an inspection, repair and reassembly.

FYI, I knew my deceased Uncle quite well, and knew better than to shoot his reloads (he liked them very hot). I never was present when he reloaded. I was remiss to not realize his brother likely had some of his old reloads.

[xrMike]

The end of life for a 45 Auto case comes when you lose it.

Either that, or the neck develops a crack (or split). But yeah, usually I lose 'em first too.

Just for general info re; loading fast burning powders that don't fill the case, use a small dowel to ck powder depth prior to bullet seating.

Part of my quality control is that I load .45 in 50-round lots, using one of those plastic round carriers you get when you buy some brands of commercial ammo. When I get a full carrier of powder-charged brass I take a bright LED flashlight and shine it into all the rounds of the carrier and look at each and every one, making sure the powder level is the same as all the rounds around it. This has worked well for me. No KBs yet anyway.

[JohnCCW]

I always chose a powder that gives much more than 50% case capacity for my load.
Impossible to not notice a double charge when there is powder spilling all over your press.

Low load density and fast powders is a kaboom waiting to happen.

[Bill Steele]

Either that, or the neck develops a crack (or split). But yeah, usually I lose 'em first too. .

It is funny, I split more 9mm cases than I do 45 Auto. I think maybe part of it is I sort my head stamps for 45 and use the thinner brass like R-P, Win, Starline and TZZ for lead (typically 200gr LSWC's) and the thicker head stamps like Magtech (CBC), Federal, Fiocchi for jacketed. It allows me to get a little better consistency and minimize belling when loading lead.

With 9's, it is tumble, a little One Shot and into the hopper.

[TomReloaded]

Its not double charges you have to worry about, its dangerous reloaders making dangerous rounds on purpose. People post loads like that in the reloading section all the time.

People like making over max loads that are too short. It happens a lot and some people just get lucky they havent been hurt yet.