Close Call

[ditto1958]

The other day I was at the range with my Ruger Blackhawk. We were shooting at paper with it to see how much, if at all, it's point of impact changed when shooting 9mm vs. .357. The 9mm was factory ammo, but the .357 rounds were moderate hand loads I made.

After we finished our "testing" (it didn't make much of a difference at all between the two calibers), I was plinking with some of the hand loads, when suddenly one of them went BOOM! Scared the living daylights out of me. I thought I'd fired a .454 Casull or something.

Anyway, I was okay, and the gun was okay. The empty brass was sticky in the chamber, and the primer blew out the back. Clearly I had somehow double charged that round. Normally I weigh my ammo before taking it to the range. Somehow that one slipped through.

I have gone back and re-weighed the remainder of my .357 hand loads. Meanwhile, what a reminder of how careful one needs to be when loading ammo.

[Henry88]

Glad you're OK Ditto,

Shows what a well made gun that Ruger is.

That is a REALLY cool model BTW

[JEBar]

its a good thing that you were loading with moderate powder charges .... double loading max charges is scary .... as noted, Ruger builds some strong revolvers

[Squatch]

Stop your scaring me! I've been loading Unique all year. Very low density. There is room to QUAD load it in the 45/70.

Glad you are OK.

Sometimes I wonder if the SBH isn't the thing to test ammo in. It's strong and held at arms length. The rifle is in your face! Better a hand than a face.


Thanks for the reminder.

[ditto1958]

I was using Accurate No. 9. The correct charge fills the case to less than half full, so a double charge would have room to fit without spilling over.

In the future, I hope to leave ammo testing to others. I have no desire to be Elmer Keith.

[Vaquero]

Glad to hear your ok.
Those Rugers are built like tanks.
Heck, my lee manual has a (Ruger & Contender)only section in the 45 colt.
Stay safe.

[RetiredSeabee]

Wow, glad you weren't hurt.

[CT_Shooter]

Thanks for sharing that experience with us, Ditto. It's a sobering message about care and safety in a potentially dangerous hobby. I'm glad you're OK and your gun is OK.

[ditto1958]

Glad to hear your ok.
Those Rugers are built like tanks.
Heck, my lee manual has a (Ruger & Contender)only section in the 45 colt.
Stay safe.

My flattop convertible does not have a "Ruger and Contender only" strength frame. Still, It's certainly true- Ruger builds strong revolvers.

[Sir Henry]

Thanks for sharing that experience with us, Ditto. It's a sobering message about care and safety in a potentially dangerous hobby. I'm glad you're OK and your gun is OK.

Reloading doubles the danger. When I reload I turn the radio and TV off and don't want any distractions.