reloading issue

L

loverme85

New member
I have been reloading shotgun shells for ten years from a 7/8 oz load to 1 1/8 oz loads. Recently I wanted to start reloading some heavier field stuff so I went out and purchased a 1 3/4 oz charge bar, wads and #4 shot. I had some 3" remington hulls and started reloading. I went out in the field shot one round and the receiver on my gun exploded (it scared the absolute **** out of me I thought I was going to have permanent hearing loss in my right ear, thank god I don't). There was no obstruction in my barrel I'm positive of that. I would just like to hear from someone with more experience than me on what they think happened here, and also if Franchi will replace the receiver or if I can even purchase just the receiver for it from them.
 
I had a gun fail about 40-years ago. A borrowed 20 ga O/U shooting Fed paper target loads. Loud bang, heavy recoil, and a huge gap between the breech and block where it shouldn't have been. The owner suspected a double charge -- he'd recently put his kid to doing the reloading.

You didn't mention the type of loader. When you're changing charge bars, it can get a little disorganized at first and you can get distracted. Another possibility is you used the wrong powder for the bar. Perhaps you neglected to put a bushing in the charge bar (if applicable)?

Did you verify your powder drop with a scale? Have you opened up some of the remaining loads to check the components -- specifically the powder type and weight?

Sorry, I don't have a clue how Franchi will deal with your gun. Glad you weren't injured.
 
I saw a S&W .38 come apart once - scarey thing.

First thing that comes to mind is the wrong powder, or a serious overcharge of the right powder.

DC
 
wow.

I went out and purchased a 1 3/4 oz charge bar, wads and #4 shot. I had some 3" remington hulls and started reloading. I went out in the field shot one round and the receiver on my gun exploded (it scared the absolute **** out of me I thought I was going to have permanent hearing loss in my
Click to expand...

Wow. That had to get your attention. Very good that you are not hurt.

What was the recipe that you used? Powder and weight of the charge? What wad? Which Remington hulls? What primer?
The only load about that size that used a 3in Remington hull and that I could find in Lyman was for 1 7/8ths oz. of shot. The powder was Blue Dot and the wad an RP12.
The online Hodgdon Reload data site does not spec a Remington hull at all for a 1 3/4 oz shot load - only Federal. Only one powder - 800X. Wads RP12 and Win WAA12R.
So, I haven't looked everywhere but so far it appears that your load calls for a limited selection of powders and wads and hulls. How do these match up with what you used?
Pete
 
As mentioned - the ENTIRE recipe you used, including primer, wad, hull (which Remington), and powder and load. Did you follow a recipe?
 
darkgael,
Pete, my friend, the new Alliant Powder Reloader's Guide lists a 1-3/4 oz load in Rem-Pete SP hulls using Blue Dot powder, CCI 209M primers, and a RP 12 wad. It's the highest pressure 3" load listed for the R-P hull.
 
I doubt any gun mfg will repair or replace a gun for you / that was damaged with reloads ( or even factory ammo for that matter) unless you can prove there is a latent defect in the firearm. So I think you might have to write this off to experience ( and good luck that you were not hurt badly).

I reload 12, 20,28ga and .410 .....but just to go over the basics:

1. What is your barrel marked / in terms of chamber length ? Is it 2 3/4" or a 3" chamber ? If its a 2 3/4" chamber ( that's the problem ) ...

2. like others asked / what is recipe you used, did you verify the powder drop.

3. Do you have any more shells you reloaded / can you disassemble them - and weigh the powder and shot ?

4. Did you mix up your powder / put the wrong powder in your press ?

There is lots of stuff that could have caused this problem ....but we're all glad you're here to discuss it vs being hurt badly !!
 
26gr IMR 700x powder(I'm not a big fan of 800x powder the drops are way too inconsistent), IMR 7/16 wads, and Winchester 209 primers. As far as the hulls go a friend of mine gave me some 3" nitro turkey hulls. They do call for a 1 7/8 load, but I have reloaded 7/8 oz and 1 oz loads in 1 1/4 oz AA hulls and never had a problem. I've also put a 1 1/8 oz load in Remington high velocity hulls that call for a 7/8 oz load without a problem (15-19 grains of powder, depending on the powder).
 
Had a friend expolde his shotgun ... a M870 that is a solid gun. He went from 1 1/8 oz loads to 1 oz loads on his MEC ... simple change IF you remember to put in the powder bushing in the new bar. He wondered where all the powder spillage was coming from but loaded a few rounds to try. He tried one! Stung his hads, excited others on the range, ruined the 870 action, though it fortunately held the parts in check. Cracked the stock where it fits to the receiver. BBL was okay. Trigger group looks okay but it is on the shelf. "Stung" his hands. We tested and decided that he had 4x charge. He has reloaded for years and continued for a few test rounds even though some (less than I would have expected) powder was spilling out the hole where you can see the bushing (or not in this case). Rushing. LUCKY! He now has the proper bushing and is using his M1100. A near disaster that became a funny story.
 
We're still having to guess too much on what you're using ...

Please be more specific on the hull you used - and what published recipe did you use - and did you vary from what was published ( with powder, wad or primer )?

Is your barrel marked as a 3" or 2 3/4" chamber ?

What model of Franchi were you shooting ?
 
I just checked the Hodgdon-IMR-Winchester Reloading Data Center. For the OP's IMR 700-X they list no loads greater than 1-1/8 oz of lead and only in 2-3/4" hulls. It's a common powder for target loads, not 3" boomers. For 800-X, the maximum load is 1-5/8 oz of lead, see below.

data.jpg


You may draw your own conclusions.
 
Zippy, I checked the tables too ...but thanks for going to the trouble of putting them up on the thread.

I think we're both coming to the same conclusion ?? / but I'd still like to hear from the OP to see exactly what he used / what the specs on his gun are ( it might still be some other factor ) ...but I see he has left the room, at least for now, too bad ?
 
yes I did vary from what was published using the the 700x instead of the 800x powder, and a different hull. my first sentence is what I used.

Load Type Gauge Shot Wt. Powder Primer Wad Powder Wt. (Gr.) Pressure Vel. (ft/s)
Lead Shot 12 1 3/4 oz. 800-X Fed. 209A WAA12R 25.5 10,700 PSI 1150
Lead Shot 12 1 3/4 oz. 800-X Rem. 209P Rem. RP12 28 10,500 PSI 1175
Lead Shot 12 1 3/4 oz. 800-X Rem. 209P WAA12R 28 10,600 PSI 1175
Lead Shot 12 1 3/4 oz. 800-X Win. 209 Rem. RP12 27.5 10,600 PSI 1150
Lead Shot 12 1 3/4 oz. 800-X Win. 209 WAA12R 27.5 10,800 PSI 1175
NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM LOADS


I didn't use the 800x because it doesn't meter well at all, and didn't think the burn between the 800 and 700 would be that dramatic.
 
and didn't think the burn between the 800 and 700 would be that dramatic.
Click to expand...

According to this chart, 700X is #8 and 800X is number 32

http://www.imrpowder.com/burn-rate.html

so 700x is MUCH faster meaning using the same loads just increased pressure WAY above max

You're lucky that "not thinking" didn't get you killed

Those companies go to a lot of trouble and expense testing loads to make sure they are safe.
 
The lesson you learned / hopefully will keep someone else from making an assumption / or a similar mistake.

Good thing all it is going to cost you is a new shotgun !

For what its worth - if you really want to load some of these field loads ...I'd suggest using Hodgdon Longshot powder - its a very good metering powder ....

3" Remington Peters plastic game hulls, Hodgdon Longshot for 1 5/8oz of shot or 1 7/8 oz of shot .....and I see a load in Hodgdon book for 1 5/8oz of shot, 34.4 gr of Longshot, yields 1335 fps at a pressure of 11,200 psi, Win 209 primer, Rem SP12 wad..... / or you can drop it down to 29.9gr of Longshot for 1225 fps and 9,300 PSI ......both big boomers ....but safe !
 
believe me I know I was lucky all it cost me was a gun. It took a week for the hearing to come back in my right ear, and I honestly thought I would be close to deaf in it the rest of my life. This happened about 6 months ago, and wanted to ask on here but was embarrassed, but I'm glad I did. Thanks to all that posted
 
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