Reloading Kaboom Yesterday - Please Learn From This

[racinginthestreets]

I think we're all happy that you were not hurt more seriously. This is something I worry about, especially when flipping over the primer pickup tube to load into the primer drop tube because no matter what, once one primer blows all the others are going to blow as well. Just a thought, but It's possible that the explosion may have been caused by a single defective primer head that was very weak to begin with and the stacking impact, when turning the primer pickup tube upside down, caused it to blow. Although I wear eye protection and gloves, I'm going to start wearing some ear protection as well. I read one where one fellow hand loader uses a welders mask when loading and I've never given this any serious thought until now.

As for gloves, you may want check out some short wrist deerskin gloves. These gloves are very supple and very strong, and they allow for a lot of dexterity. I've used them for many years riding my motorcycles and I've hit the pavement a couple of times at speed, and I can tell you that deerskin gloves can withstand a lot. You can handle barbed wire or thick rose vines with these type of gloves without piercing the deerskin. Obviously these gloves won't withstand a serious explosion, but I'm hoping they will absorb some of the impact and tear before my skin does. Get well soon.

[problemchild]

Any plans to run a humidifier in the loading room? Static loves dry air.

[grant22]

@Racingthestreets, I like your deerskin glove idea. I think those plus an RF plus a $20 face shield (welder's mask may be a bit much in my case since I don't already own one) might be the practical ticket.

@PC, yes, I'll be looking into a humidifier. 35% RH seems to be the high end around here unless it's a really humid day.

[kostner]

Did you contact Dillon to hear their views? They are always helpful and like to talk to customers. I would be interest in hearing what they say.

[grant22]

Did you contact Dillon to hear their views? They are always helpful and like to talk to customers. I would be interest in hearing what they say.

Yes, it's all been posted up here. LSS, they believe it's a combo of static and a faulty primer, or one or the other.

[grant22]

Here's a little update, and I'll start by putting on my proximity flame suit:

It's been over 2 weeks since I last talked to someone at Dillon (this was person #2) so I gave them a ring today. 2 weeks ago, we left it at this: the guy was going to discuss the incident with the owner of Dillon, discussing 1) how this may have happened by running tests 2) they were going to contact CCI to see what they thought 3) and see if they could get me an RF100 at dealer cost to get me back in the game.

When I called today and re-introduced myself, I could quickly tell that none of that stuff had been discussed with the owner, was told no tests were performed, that I should contact CCI, and that the owner would want more facts regarding the incident in order to consider getting me an RF at dealer cost (I had already divulged every fact possible previously). My interpretation is that they aren't taking this incident very seriously at all, they aren't interested in making that phase of the product any safer for everyone, and have no inclination to pull a 'good guy' move and sell me an RF at dealer cost (which of course would be no financial loss to them).

Those are the facts, not my opinion. If they simply would have called and stated, "sorry, I'm not being authorized to get you an RF at cost." I would have been fine with that and went and bought one at retail. It's the absolute disregard and 'blowing off' of the entire thing that kinda has me thinking they've lost a customer.

Sorry if any of you have a problem with me posting this, it just is what it is though. I've been pretty fair and objective about the whole thing, I've spent a lot of money on their products and I know if the role were reversed, I would take this whole thing a lot more seriously.

[ArtP88]

We frequently hear stories about unsatisfied customers or companies who lack service. However, disregard for you in the face of a very serious safety issue is completely inexcusable and perhaps the biggest PR mistake a company could make. The magnitude of their mistake is way beyond my comprehension.

[NoJoke]

We frequently hear stories about unsatisfied customers or companies who lack service. However, disregard for you in the face of a very serious safety issue is completely inexcusable and perhaps the biggest PR mistake a company could make. The magnitude of their mistake is way beyond my comprehension.

x2
For the cost of materials they could try to win back a support base, instead its being weakened.

I'm on the fence about what's being proposed but if pushed to go one way or another, IMO they're heading down the wrong path. Too bad.

This runs contrary from what I've traditionally heard about Dillon

[grant22]

We need to remember, technically this doesn't fall under their "no BS warranty." And in fact, they have absolutely no obligation to do anything I've asked them. There really is no definitive cause of what happened.....but from a safety standpoint, I'll never use the pickup tubes again. It's that simple. And to (imo) blow off the testing of the weakest safety link of the system is pretty......weak.

It would just seperate the business that does the "full minimum" or the business that's a true class act. Being that Dillon isn't a full corporate machine, I'da thought they would have done the class act move.

Oh well. I'm in full control of where I spend my money.

[Fyathyrio]

You can sell your blue press and get an RCBS Pro 2000 and use their strip priming method instead. All your dies and other equipment will work and you should come close to breaking even on the deal.

[Cokebottle]

My interpretation is that they aren't taking this incident very seriously at all, they aren't interested in making that phase of the product any safer for everyone, and have no inclination to pull a 'good guy' move and sell me an RF at dealer cost (which of course would be no financial loss to them).

While it won't get you an RF at dealer cost, maybe it's time something on "official" letterhead arrived at their office via Registered Mail, and that "something" should perhaps make a casual mention of "product liability lawsuit"

[ke6guj]

While it won't get you an RF at dealer cost, maybe it's time something on "official" letterhead arrived at their office via Registered Mail, and that "something" should perhaps make a casual mention of "product liability lawsuit"

and this is what I think already flashed through Dillon corporate's mind, which is why they "hadn't done any tests yet"

[Cokebottle]

and this is what I think already flashed through Dillon corporate's mind, which is why they "hadn't done any tests yet"

At least no tests that they are willing to reveal the results.

Those tests may very well have been quite revealing, which could explain the sudden "clamming up"

[ke6guj]

yup.

[hayaku]

i think a letter to them is warranted. an official letter in response is what we all ultimately want to see on what they think of this incident... so far its all hearsay right now (from their legal perspective) and dillon doesn't have to own up to any advice or thoughts they have told you yet...