Almost a kaboom

[375hh1973]

Finally had a Saturday off that wasnt freezing cold or crazy windy. Decided to head to the range to shoot my BLR in 308 and also my Ruger SBH Hunter in 45lc. I had a box and a half of some Double Tap .45lc 300 grain @ 1300 I wanted to blast since I have found a more accurate hunting load. I went to the 50 yard range first as it was less crowded. I shot several cylindar fulls with the Ruger then sent a few down range with the BLR to kill time while waiting for target check. At target check, I pulled my target then moved all my stuff to the 100 yard range to play with the BLR some more.

I shot a bunch off hand, different positions, just fun practicing with the BLR. Then I decided to see what the Ruger did off sandbags at 100 yards just for kicks. Loaded up 6, got the crosshairs on target, cocked the hammer, CLICK. Huh. Thats odd. Never had a bad primer on a Double Tap round before. Oh well. Cock the hammer, get on target, start to sqeeze... and then that little voice in my head says "just check everything out." Pulled the cylinder and a whole bunch of powder falls out. Can see unburnt powder in barrel just ahead of cylindar. Scrape out powder and there is a 300 gr bullet looking at me. I'm really really glad that I didnt drop the hammer for a second shot. The powder was all clumped up and brown. Must have gotten wet? I have had this ammo in my spare room/ammo room since I purchased it. Never got hot, cold, damp, etc.

stuck bullet2.jpg

unburnt powder2.jpg

[Blaine]

Glad you listened

(I thought all Super Blackhawks were .44 mag )

[375hh1973]

Blaine-

So did I until I saw this one. Was actually looking for a SBH Hunter in 41 mag. Clerk in the gun shop said no, its a 45colt. I said thats ridiculous. I went home, got on the internet and researched it. Seems Ruger made a few up for Lipsey's. Not a ton of them out there. Went back to the shop and took it home. I threw a 2x Nikon on top and it shoots well. It likes Buffalo Bore 260 grain loading at 1450. Recoil is not bad at all.

http://www.lipseysguns.com/post/Ruger-S ... -Colt.aspx

[wvfarrier]

That is super spooky. Good thing you were on yer toes

[Blaine]

Blaine-

So did I until I saw this one. Was actually looking for a SBH Hunter in 41 mag. Clerk in the gun shop said no, its a 45colt. I said thats ridiculous. I went home, got on the internet and researched it. Seems Ruger made a few up for Lipsey's. Not a ton of them out there. Went back to the shop and took it home. I threw a 2x Nikon on top and it shoots well. It likes Buffalo Bore 260 grain loading at 1450. Recoil is not bad at all.

http://www.lipseysguns.com/post/Ruger-S ... -Colt.aspx

I'm sorry...I had no idea I'll bet you can load up some barn-burners approaching 454 Casull

[jnyork]

Wow. You definitely saved yourself from certain serious injury or worse. Glad you had your head out in the sunshine, and thanks for posting.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Good for you. Did you have trouble getting that bullet out of the barrel?

At our Cowboy shoot yesterday there was one gal that was shooting loads in her pistol that sounded like the primer only was propelling the bullet. The ring of the target was louder than the guns report.
That is getting real close to problem territory.

[williamranks]

Looks like HE saved you. Did you know there are some people who think that little voice in their head is their own?

[OldWin]

Wow that could have been very bad. Always listen to that little voice.

[375hh1973]

Chuck

Shot some ballistol in the barrel and waited 5 minutes. Couple of taps with a rubber mallet and a brass rod and it came right out.

[Old Ironsights]

You DID drop $20 on Lottery Tickets afterward... didn't you?

[piller]

Glad you paid attention. It is cheaper to pay attention than hospital bills.

[.45colt]

One Lucky day for sure, Glad You listened to the voice. .

[Borregos]

Wow that could have been very bad. Always listen to that little voice.

+1

[Griff]

Glad you listened. Were it me, I'd pull the bullet from at least one other round and compare the powder in it to that "stuff"... then contact Double Tap w/photos of both (if visibly different, even by a little), and politely ask them to identiify the powder and if they have any clue about how it may have happened, giving them the lot #, date & where puchased (close should work), with your storage info as you did here.

Also, if it were me, I'd take about ½ of what you have there and see if it lights with a match. Just string some of it out in a line, (like you see those cokeheads do on TV), and hold a match at one end. I'd do the same w/ about the same amount from the round you pull, video tape both so you can review and better compare the two results. Leave that big clump out of your test.

[Nath]

Ouch that was close!

Well done!

N.

[SteveR]

The power of just "primers" always amazes me.

Glad you didn't get hurt and knew enough to check before firing again.

Just out of curiosity, did you try to shoot anymore of that batch?

Steve

[Ysabel Kid]

Glad you caught it and didn't get hurt!

[KiwiKev]

Similar thing happened to me in 38sp. Someone is looking out for you.

A "Jesus must love you" moment.

[Centennial]

Do you think the primer fizzled/puffed and you couldn't hear it because of hearing protection?

It looks like the powder got the graphite/coating burned off it, kind of like un-burned kernels of 2400 will do normally.