Good reloading practice

This section is for reloading and ammunition only, all loads found in here are used strictly at your own risk, if in doubt ask again.
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should treated as suspect and not used.

Moderator: dromia

Forum rules
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should be treated as suspect and not used.

Use reloading information posted here at your own risk. This forum (http://www.full-bore.co.uk) is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury as a consequence of using reloading data posted here, the information is individual members findings and observations only. Always verify the load data and be absolutely sure your firearm can handle the load, especially older ones. If in doubt start low and work your way up.
Message
Author
User avatar
Mattnall
Site Supporter Since 2016
Posts: 2858
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:32 pm
Home club or Range: Harlow TAC, NRA, BSRC
Contact:

Re: Good reloading practice

#41 Post by Mattnall »

Pete wrote:
I'd say a 223 is just as capable as any other calibre of falling apart if overloaded.

Pete
I have seen two 223s blow up and subsequent investigation showed both were caused by 'half-charges', with most powders the 223 is a compressed load or close to it so an over charge is less of an issue compared to under charge. One by a piece of the powder bottle sealer partially blocking the powder funnel and the other we think was caused by 'bridging of the powder in a Dillon powder measure (a known issue with some powders).

The only other one I know details of, the guy was reducing charges to try and get a subsonic load until it went bang.

In all instances the rifles (all AR derivatives) survived but needed some work to remove the brass. One broken bolt and carrier, two destroyed magazines and three red faces.
Arming the Country, one gun at a time.

Good deals with Paul101, Charlotte the flyer, majordisorder, Charlie Muggins, among others. Thanks everybody.
User avatar
Pete
Past Supporter
Posts: 2947
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2015 8:48 am
Home club or Range: NRA Bisley
Contact:

Re: Good reloading practice

#42 Post by Pete »

Lucky the faces were just red and not in tatters..........

Pete
"Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum" Lucretius
You're offended? Please explain why your inability to control your emotions translates into me having to censor my opinions....
User avatar
Mattnall
Site Supporter Since 2016
Posts: 2858
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:32 pm
Home club or Range: Harlow TAC, NRA, BSRC
Contact:

Re: Good reloading practice

#43 Post by Mattnall »

A testament to the rugged design of the rifle design that is based on the AR - the bolt locking in to the barrel is what undoubtedly saved them all from some serious hurt.
Arming the Country, one gun at a time.

Good deals with Paul101, Charlotte the flyer, majordisorder, Charlie Muggins, among others. Thanks everybody.
38Super
Site Supporter Since 2019
Posts: 266
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:38 pm
Home club or Range: FDPC
Contact:

Re: Good reloading practice

#44 Post by 38Super »

Could someone explain why a half charge caused the .223's to blow up please?
Would this still happen with a bolt action?
User avatar
dromia
Site Admin
Posts: 19964
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2010 4:57 am
Home club or Range: The Highlands of Scotland. Cycling Proficiency 1964. Felton & District rifle club. Teesdale Pistol and Rifle club.
Location: Sutherland and Co Durham
Contact:

Re: Good reloading practice

#45 Post by dromia »

I am only surmising as I don't know about the incident in question but it could be what is called secondary explosion effect.

This happens with reduced loads of medium to slow burning rifle powders which ha loading density that allows the primer to flash over the powder pushing the bullet into the rifling and stopping, the powder then burns, builds up pressure but the bullet has now become an obstruction and pressures can rise to catastrophic levels.

That is why you should never go below 60% loading density with medium to slow rifle powders, if you are looking for reduced loads then fast rifle and pistol powders are the way to go as they combust instantly at low loading densities.
Image

Come on Bambi get some

Imperial Good Metric Bad
Analogue Good Digital Bad

Fecking stones

Real farmers don't need subsidies

Cow's farts matter!

For fine firearms and requisites visit

http://www.pukkabundhooks.com/
User avatar
Mattnall
Site Supporter Since 2016
Posts: 2858
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:32 pm
Home club or Range: Harlow TAC, NRA, BSRC
Contact:

Re: Good reloading practice

#46 Post by Mattnall »

Flash-over, or secondary explosion effect (SEE) as I've heard it called. This is what we thought happened in two of the cases (and most likely in the third as well).

Recovered, unfired cases, when weighed showed that some were noticeably lighter and when these were pulled had (where I still have data to hand) approximately 50% powder, averaging 12.5gn of the usual 23.8gn. The guy lightening his loads had lighter charges by design and the final one found the powder seal in the powder measure after returning home probably had lighter loads as well, although I have no info on the charges of any unfired rounds.

In this case it would have happened in whatever firearm it was fired in, bolt-gun, semi-auto or straight-pull, etc. Whether a weaker design would have contained the effect as well as the AR design is questionable.
Arming the Country, one gun at a time.

Good deals with Paul101, Charlotte the flyer, majordisorder, Charlie Muggins, among others. Thanks everybody.
User avatar
Swamp Donkey
Posts: 341
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 7:49 am
Home club or Range: Wessex Rifles

Re: Good reloading practice

#47 Post by Swamp Donkey »

I had a 223 browning x bolt explode in my face, subsequent investigations led to the probable cause being an under charged load of h335. Split the stock, destroyed the mag, scope and my hearing. Thankfully I was wearing Shooting specs, half the extractor was embedded in the lense.

Sent from my mobile using "An application"
Born Again
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2018 4:09 pm
Home club or Range: Penrhiwpal SC

Re: Good reloading practice

#48 Post by Born Again »

I know a chap who had a 7.62 explode with low power reloads. From memory, it was something like 11gn of Unique, and he had fired hundreds of this recipe over a long period before the incident. Low power loads can be dangerous, when I experimented with low power for my .308 I used published recipes for Trailboss - a low power but bulky powder.
User avatar
dromia
Site Admin
Posts: 19964
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2010 4:57 am
Home club or Range: The Highlands of Scotland. Cycling Proficiency 1964. Felton & District rifle club. Teesdale Pistol and Rifle club.
Location: Sutherland and Co Durham
Contact:

Re: Good reloading practice

#49 Post by dromia »

Sounds more like a double charge reloading error, low density fast pistol to fast rifle powders are quiet safe. See Mattern, Harris and Brownell.

Also a search on here will reveal much that dispels the low charge with fast powders SEE myth.

Perpetuating the myth without substance helps no one.
Image

Come on Bambi get some

Imperial Good Metric Bad
Analogue Good Digital Bad

Fecking stones

Real farmers don't need subsidies

Cow's farts matter!

For fine firearms and requisites visit

http://www.pukkabundhooks.com/
Born Again
Posts: 14
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2018 4:09 pm
Home club or Range: Penrhiwpal SC

Re: Good reloading practice

#50 Post by Born Again »

dromia wrote:Sounds more like a double charge reloading error, low density fast pistol to fast rifle powders are quiet safe. See Mattern, Harris and Brownell.

Also a search on here will reveal much that dispels the low charge with fast powders SEE myth.

Perpetuating the myth without substance helps no one.

Point taken, I apologise if I have caused confusion, although perhaps my story illustrates the dangers of tiny charges in big cases being difficult to see - even for a very experienced loader who has loaded everything up to his .50 . I don't know whether 22gn of Unique would blow up a 7.62, I suppose it might with a heavy bullet.


As I wrote - Trailboss is my choice, nice and bulky.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests