Lucky To Be Alive

To OP, hope you get well soon, thanks for sharing, we all need reminders of how mistakes can happen and what the consequences can be. I hope you have a speedy and full recovery.
 
wonder if we can get someone with quikload to see how much psi 40gr of titegroup in a 7mm-08 really is.
Click to expand...

Figuring a Sierra 150-gr bullet, 40 grs of Titegroup in a 7mm-08 works out to about 216555 PSI!!!:eek:

No wonder the rifle suffered a catastrophic failure!

Glad the OP's injuries weren't more serious. This is a good reminder that in this business, one little mistake can be catastrophic.
 
Now, use QuickLoad to run us a say, 8.0 grain charge of Varget under a 124 grain JHP in 9mm, 4-inch barrel.
 
216000psi. wow, that's amazing. you might be getting a knock from the ATF with a case of "production of a pipe-bomb". you should have the hairiest chest ever after shooting that one


I agree, you probably going to have a horrible flinch after that one, if you can even pull the trigger at all. good luck
 
Imagine what would have happened if he was out deer hunting when it happened.

I hope you don't have to many more of those shells on hand.
 
Question for everybody. In a failure like this, what would be considered a safe distance to avoid injury? It seems like I shoot next to people every week who are shooting their first batch of hand loaded ammo. I will move my stuff to another bench when a muzzle loader sets up next to me. Muzzle loaders always seem to fail, and need help from the R.O. to resolve their failure to fire. Freaks me out.
 
Ouch! Sorry to hear/see this. Wish you a speedy recovery. And mad props for being man enough to post this on the interweb for all to see.
 
That's got to have hurt!

Pray you will heal completely.

This kind of thing scares the snot out of me. I keep the Powder in the walk in closet. Only one container comes out at a time. It has to go back Before a different powder comes out.

Thanks for posting.
 
Postscript.

Looking at the pictures and computed pressure, I'm of the opinion that more than "luck" was involved in the relative minor damage sustained. Someone was watching over you, is what I'm a thinking.
 
Heal well, my friend. As others have posted, thank you for the courage to admit one's mistake. We could all make this mistake and would be wise to remember that complacency kills. I will check and re-check myself every time at the bench, and the photo you provided will give me the incentive to be vigilant with reloading safety.

This may be more relevant now, as I suspect that many of us have added new powders to our stable due to the shortages. I can think of at least six new powders in my cabinet in the last year and a half. This multiplies our chances of error.

Thank you again for giving me pause. I will take those extra moments at the bench and think of you when I change out powders and calibers.
 
Good thing you're still in one piece.

I know its already been said but never become complacent when it comes to reloading. One moment of "I've been doing this for 20 years, I know what I'm doing" and this could be any of us.
 
Thanks everyone, and yes it was hard to post this. I felt I had to, because I would have never guessed THAT I WOULD HAVE MADE THAT ERROR. I was too smart, to safe, to experienced.

I was so tuned into all the other load data and info I made this horrible mistake. If it keeps 1 person from making an error it was worth posting.
 
Wow, what a great reminder to all of us of what is possible in a worst-case scenario. Sorry you had to pay such a heavy price, hope you have a speedy recovery.
 
Thank you for posting this. I wish you all the best in your recovery and pray it will be a full recovery with no loss of use in your finger.
Yours was a mistake that could happen to anyone of us.
 
Labeling my powder with date of purchase

I have my storage area laid out from fastest to slowest powder, labels always to the front, each can is clearly identified with an orange sticky dot with the date of purchase. I work only with one container of powder on my bench at a time, I do not work with a progressive setup I do it the old fashion way using a loading tray and weighing charges by hand. When I am finished charging the cases I use a flash light to look into each case to be sure they are charged and the powder level is the same. I look at the powder to be sure it is the correct powder before seating any bullets, just to be sure I weigh a couple of the charges to ensure they are the intended weight. Then I proceed to seat the bullets and may fire a couple over my chrony to verify velocity. I do feel for mr. dkyser who suffered the hand injury, plus I want to thank him for sharing his experience.. I wish you a speedy recovery! William
 
Hornady's powders need to have more distinct labels and less near same names, i.e. Clays, International clays, universal clays. Self responsibility is boilerplate in everything we do, but some label and name changes are in order IMHO.
 
There is a constant Internet Whine about the Clays series of powders.

I wonder how come nobody ever had trouble telling the Dot powders apart.
I wonder why nobody complains about how close some of those four digit IMR numbers are.
Good think most of us are not in Australia, some of the ADI designations are really confusing.

Read the label, read the book.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top