Shooting a Revolver Question

[iareConfusE]

Everytime I shoot my revolver, at least with half of my shots it feels like something is coming back and hitting me in the face. I wear eye protection, and whatever it is that's hitting me in the face isn't breaking skin or anything, but it does sting a bit, and I'm curious about what it is. I'm not hitting the target hanger, and I'm quite certain it isn't shrapnel from the bullet bouncing off a back stop and coming back at me...

Unburned powder coming from the sides right before the forcing cone?

Shaved lead (using hard cast bullets) from off-timing of the cylinder?

I shoot my own reloads, 125gr hard cast bullets with standard primers, and mixed brass. I believe 11.5gr Blue Dot. The brass looks perfect after I fire it. No deformations, no primer flattening or anything.

I did a Google search for this, and apparently I'm the only one that has experienced this, as there were zero results related to 'something' causing a stinging sensation on the face after firing a revolver.

[redcliff]

Everytime I shoot my revolver, at least with half of my shots it feels like something is coming back and hitting me in the face. I wear eye protection, and whatever it is that's hitting me in the face isn't breaking skin or anything, but it does sting a bit, and I'm curious about what it is. I'm not hitting the target hanger, and I'm quite certain it isn't shrapnel from the bullet bouncing off a back stop and coming back at me...

Unburned powder coming from the sides right before the forcing cone?

Shaved lead (using hard cast bullets) from off-timing of the cylinder?

I shoot my own reloads, 125gr hard last bullets with standard primers, and mixed brass. I believe 11.5gr Blue Dot. The brass looks perfect after I fire it. No deformations, no primer flattening or anything.

I did a Google search for this, and apparently I'm the only one that has experienced this, as there were zero results related to 'something' causing a stinging sensation on the face after firing a revolver.

You have figured out what's stinging you, but you may need a gunsmith to determine the cause.

What year/model is the revolver? Have much has it been fired? What is the cylinder end-gap?

[iareConfusE]

You have figured out what's stinging you, but you may need a gunsmith to determine the cause.

What year/model is the revolver? Have much has it been fired? What is the cylinder end-gap?

I am unsure of the year, but it's a 6" Ruger GP100 .357/.38. I'm the second owner, I've put 200 rounds through it, previously owner I think only a couple hundred as well. The pistol looks to be fairly new, or the previous owner kept it in really good condition.

Do not know the cylinder end-gap. I suppose I'll have to measure this when I get back home.

[chim-chim7]

At the range I frequent they have a Ruger GP100 that I have rented a few times and shot with Magnum loads. New magnum loads not reloads. I have been blasted in the face nemerous times with what I can only describe as sand blasting in my face. I cant see it but I hurts and its annoying as heck. I stopped renting it for that reason alone. It has to be a excessive cylinder gap allowing burning powder to excape and blast backwards. Man I hate that.

[1JimMarch]

Run the checkout to see what's going on.

[limitdown]

This happens with semi-auto's sometimes as well.
It's the fast-burning powder.

[eaglemike]

This happens with semi-auto's sometimes as well.
It's the fast-burning powder.

Blue Dot is a fairly slow powder..........

OP - Might be excessive cylinder to barrel clearance. I like to run mine on the close side, about .004. Lots of them are .006 to .008. This allows for more residue to build up on the cylinder and back end of the barrel.

You might try a different powder. Try a mid-range load, with a slightly faster powder, or even go with a classic load like 3.5 grains of Bullseye and a 158 (.38 special) for testing purposes.

I've never seen a Ruger revolver get out of time, although anything is possible.....

[kurac]

Try a differenty powder such as bullseye or W231, my guess is the load is too light and you are getting hit by un-burnt poweder. If it was shaving lead, youl would feel it more, in a bad way.