Cases stuck in the revolver

I

IM_Lugger

New member
When I was shooting my new .44 with (my) reloads (HP XTP with H110) I had a few cases getting stuck in the cylinder (I had to push 'em out from other side). I’m not a revolver expert so need someone to confirm what I think happened.

After shooting there was sand like substance which I believe to be unburned powder (I was using a charge slightly below the recommended load :o), that was getting in the space between the cylinder and the case. I’m pretty sure that was what made the cases stuck since other cases ejected fine.

Also the cylinder was getting tight (I had to wipe it with cloth), again I’m guessing because of the sandy stuff that was accumulating around the cylinder. Next time I’ll try better loads and see if it’d be the same.

So what I’m asking is; it looks like an ammo problem not the gun right?
 
The questions I would ask are:
1. Are these new and previously unfired cases? If they are ones you have
reloaded several times they made need trimming.
2. Are there any sign of high pressure-flattened primers, etc. Just because your reloading manual says it is not a maximum load your revolver
may decide otherwise.
3. Are the chambers clean and smooth?
4. Are your reloads the correct length?
 
kingudaroad very funny :rolleyes: BTW If you read the entire thread you'll see I din't use the light loads I was talking about (nor I intend to)...

I had three trips to the range with the gun (each session 50 rounds) and I had the problem only on the last time…the gun has been fired 150 times total

The Fist time I used Winchester 240gr JSP ammo 50 rounds(white box) --0 problems

The Second time I reloaded the brass with Hornady 180gr XTP bullets on top of 14ge of HS-6 (25 rounds) and of 24gr of H110 (I know below recommended starting load) (25rounds) --again 0 problems

The Third time (when the incident happened) I reloaded the same 25 cases (^) with the same load; 24gr of H110 behind 180gr bullet. The other 25 cases were new Winchester cases that I loaded with 22gr of H110 behind 240gr Hornady XTP.

I believe the problem happened with the ‘Old’ cases with 24gr/180 loads, the new hotter loads with 240gr bullet worked fine. BTW in happened two or three times 2 cases stuck each time.

SIGSHR, answers to your questions;
1) cases were used (by me) reloaded 2 times + factory load (no trimming)
2) I just checked and I think YES but only with the new cases; the primers came out a noticeably flatter then they were when they came in.
3) I did clean it after each session,little to long, BUT so yes I believe they were clean...
4) umm NO; they were a little to long, but there was enough space for the cylinder to rotate. (I checked beforehand)
 
are you using a nice tight roll crimp? A good roll crimp will help the powder to burn more completely too. Maybe you could also try some Win 296?
 
Maybe you could also try some Win 296?
Click to expand...
296 and 110 is basically the same powder.

Since you are finding unburnt powder are you using magnum primers?
Did the rounds that got stuck load easily in the chambers?
Have you mic'd the cases?
Was it the same chambers that the cases stuck in?
 
Three areas I would look at. First, are the cases bulged? Winchesters bulge too often for me. Remington brass is a little friendlier. Second, did you use Magnum primers and were they properly seated? I recently loaded a run of cartridges and had used new Winchester Magnum primers. They turned out to be defective though. Check with Winchester for lot numbers. My experience was that powder granules could be shaken out of the fired cases, cases were dimensionally unchanged and primers showed no obvious signs of flattening, flowing or excess pressures in any form. Third, simply check those cases with a GO/NO GO gauge. They are worth the small investment.
 
I don't know where you are located. How do you store your powder? Humidity? I have had problems when I loaded rounds in the winter or hot and humid periods.
 
are you using a nice tight roll crimp
Click to expand...
No Crimp, I’m using Lee Dies (3 die set) but the bullet sits pretty tight...

Since you are finding unburnt powder are you using magnum primers?
Did the rounds that got stuck load easily in the chambers?
Have you mic'd the cases?
Was it the same chambers that the cases stuck in?
Click to expand...
I'm using Winchester WLP primers (says for normal and magnum loads)
YES the rounds droped in freely, not sure if the same chaimbers
I was loading 5 in 6 shot sylinder. bad idea?

are the cases bulged
Click to expand...
I don't think so, I don't think there's something wrong with the powder either.

Like I mentioned; I found the sand like grains (unburned powder??) in between the cylinder and the cases that got stuck I think that might be what caused the problem…
 
Quote: "No Crimp, I’m using Lee Dies (3 die set) but the bullet sits pretty tight"

IM Lugger,
Very slow pistol powders like H110 and Win 296 (similar if not same powder) require very FIRM crimps to ensure proper powder combustion. Lots of unburned powder granules indicate that your powder is NOT burning properly. You need more crimp and possibly more powder. These two powders do not burn well in greatly reduced loads. I think Hodgdon even advises against reduced loads below a certain percent. Check their loading manual or website for specific info.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
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