Question on Double Charges

[OofieXD]

I was at the range today shooting my reloads and halfway through my bullets (160rds), I had one round that was noticeably louder and felt had more recoil. I quickly take out the magazine, rack the slide and made sure the gun was empty. I visually inspect my gun and everything looks fine. I couldn't disassemble the pistol as it was prohibited at the range I was at.

Anyway, I try again to shoot another round and everything seems ok, didn't happen again. This was the 2nd time it happened in 1000 rounds I've done.

My load data is as follows:
- 200gr Bear Creek Moly coated, Round nose with hollow base
- 5.1-5.2 gr of W231
- 1.245"-1.250" OAL
- CCI 300 primer
- Range brass I picked up
- I load my bullets on a Dillon Square Deal which has auto indexing.

After getting back home, I quickly disassemble the gun and check for anything unusual, but didn't find anything. My question is, was this a double charge? I would imagine that if it was a double charge, 10.X gr of W231 would destroy my 1911, wouldn't it?

-Ron

[gose]

Not sure how hot your original load is, but the double-charges I've seen in 1911s have been way more dramatic than "louder and more recoil". Think BIG bang, big smoke cloud, broken ejected mags, cracked slides/frames etc.
However, if your load is pretty mild, maybe your result wont be as catastrophic.

[OofieXD]

To be honest, this load was only from a recommendation from another board. I couldn't really find data on 200gr RN, but one guy recommended 5.0gr (around 750fps) to about 5.6-5.7 to make 835fps. I've tried loading up to 5.7gr of W231 and the gun ate it all.

[ejor]

Doesn't sound like a double charge ,5 possibilities I can think of 1. powder left in the powder measure from the case before[ powder bridge in drop tube], dirt or polishing media left in the case, over length case crimping the bullet in the throat of the barrel on firing, a case with less internal capacity than the rest,oversize bullet . I'm sure there are other things also.

[M47_Dragon]

Did you have any issues while reloading which caused you to pull anything out of the assembly process? Any thing that required resetting? If not, it is pretty hard to double charge with the SDB - unless there is something terribly wrong with your powder measure bar.

Things that I do, just to be on the safe side, is wear a headlamp while reloading. I can aim it right into the case on stage 3 of my SDB. A double charge would be obvious. Also, being the anal person that I am, I also have a little LED light with a flex arm and clip attached to the press so that it points into the case at stage 3. I always take a look in there before placing the bullet.

This greatly reduces the chance of a double, and gives me peace of mind as well.

[OofieXD]

ejor - Out of the 5 possibilities you posted, I'll say that it was probably polishing media left in the case. I was tumbling brass with corn cob media and I noticed there was fine dust left in some cases. I searched for that topic and most recommended to leave it there as it probably won't really affect plinking bullets.

M47_Dragon - The only thing I can think of is when I measure the powder charge. I usually measure the first, 10th and last load I do. However, I do make sure everything is correct/in the right place before continuing.

That LED light attached to the pressis a good idea. Will definitely try something to that effect so I can see Stage 3 better.

[ejor]

I once poured brass polish in the tumbler with the brass instead of waiting for it to disperse and dry and ended up with 20 or so cases pluged with polish compound. that was a pain had to scrape out and tumble again

One more thought some powder is temperature sensitive. I don't know how 231 is. but, could that round have stayed in a hot barrel any length of time like a minute before firing for some reason,that might raise pressure also.

[f4tweet]

Check the outside and inside of the barrel for a pressure ring. This will indicate you shot a squib (stuck bullet) out of the barrel. If you did, the barrel is trash. Ask me how I know. I shoot 5.2-5.4 of 231, 1.230 OAL, Bear Creek 200gr SWC, WLP.

[Mikeb]

10 grains of 231 will overfill a .45acp case and you won't be able to seat the bullet.

[Beelzy]

Here's what happened:

When that rogue round went into the chamber it must have hit the barrel and
the bullet got pushed back into the case a few thousanths. The result was a
round with more pep than the others.

If it in fact was a double charge, you would be telling quite a different story.

[RaymondMillbrae]

A few things I can think of:


1) A round was unusually long. If the bullet was making contact with the actual barrel when in battery, it would increase the pressure.

2) Lead may have filled the barrels rifling. If so, this may have increased the pressure when firing lead bullets. (I know, I know...they were moly-coated. But still...).

3) You may have loaded a round without powder. If so, when the primer went off, it was enough to lodge a bullet in the chamber. The next round would have caused a sharp boom. (Always listen to every shot you fire. If one doesn't sound right, DO NOT FIRE THE NEXT ROUND)!

4) Over crimping.

5) Too much "other stuff" in the bullet. (Excess lube/sizing die wax, or corn/walnut media).

6) What BEELZY said above.


Just some rambling.

In Christ: Raymond

[bruce381]

""10 grains of 231 will overfill a .45acp case and you won't be able to seat the bullet.""

Sorry wrong a 10 grain charge will fit a 45CP fine

[packnrat]

I have plenty of light for reloading, but also have this little plunger/rod in one stage, (I prime up off the press) it lifts just so much for a charge, and way to high for a to large a charge, --no lift if no charge.
Only three rules in reloading!

SAFETY

SAFETY

SAFETY

.

[diginit]

Did you do a push test for crimp on the reloads? Sounds like setback to compressed to me. I've had that happen with loose crimps. If it was 10g. of 231, You would be rebuilding your pistol. I load 5.0 gr 231 in a Bear Creek 200 g LRN and LSWC.
Here's a few more I've worked up and shoot well in my Kimber TLE II, 1911, 5" barrel, Wolf 18.5 lb spring:

200 gr TCFP
4.5 and 4.6 gr bullseye
OAL 1.222
Win brass
CCI 300 primers

Federal 185 gr hydroshock
Win 231 6.0gr
OAL 1.210
RP nickel case
CCI 300 primers

Speer Gold Dot 230 gr FMJ
Win 231 5.3 gr
Oal 1.262
CCI 300 primers
Win Brass

230 gr .452 LRN, FMJ
WIN 231 - 5.2 gr
OAL 1.260 825 - 850fps
CCI 300 primers
Win brass

Speer .451.5 230 gr truncated cone
Win 231 - 4.9 gr and 5.2 gr
OAL 1.230
CCI 300 primers
Win brass

Western Nevada .452 230gr LRN
Win 231 - 5.2 gr
OAL 1.260
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

Western Nevada 220 gr .452 LRN
Win 231 5.2 gr
OAL 1.262
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

Speer .452 200 gr single groove LSWC
Win 231 - 5.5 gr
OAL 1.250
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

Western nevada .452 200 gr Copper Coat SWC
Win 231 5.5 gr And
Bullseye 4.5 gr
OAL 1.252
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

.452 200 gr single groove generic LSWC
Bullseye 4.9 gr
OAL 1.250
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

.452 200 gr double groove generic LSWC
Win 231 5.5 gr
OAL 1.187
CCI 300 Primers
Win brass

.452 230 gr Win. FMJ
Bullseye 4.8gr
Oal 1260
CCI 300 Large pistol primers
Win Cases,

.452 200 gr Bear Creek LRN Hollow Base
4.8 gr Bullseye
Federal LP Primers
OAL 1230 = 1/16th" to lands

.452 200 gr Bear Creek LRN Hollow Base
5.0 gr Red Dot
Lee disk # .71
Federal LP Primers
OAL 1230 = 1/16th" to lands

.452 200 gr Bear Creek LRN Hollow Base
7.2 gr Unique-950 fps.
Lee disk # .88
Federal LP Primers
OAL 1230 = 1/16th" to lands

.452 200g Bear Creek LSWC
6.6gr Unique-875 fps
lee Disk #82
Federal Large Magnum Primers-Very Clean!
OAL 1230