Ruger Hawkeye catastrophic failure......

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Had a major case failure today...
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You had a major overpressure event today. The case naturally failed as a result. A case failure, in the absence of overpressure is not going to do the kind of damage shown in the pictures.
The H335 used in this load does not match any other canister of H335 myself or my brothers have in color or grain size.

...till I got this pound of powder that looks funny compared to the other cans of H335 we compared it to...
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Sounds like you have a good place to start looking. Was the container properly sealed when you got it?
Factory federal then a starting load of H335 and a Ballistic tip.
26gr of H335, 40gr Nosler ballistic tip, winchester small rifle primer, Federal case (commercial, no crimp), OAL 2.250.
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When there's a catastrophic failure and someone asks what ammunition was being used, they're not asking for a list of everything used in the gun up to that point that didn't result in a catastrophic failure or even everything used in the shooting session that didn't result in a catastrophic failure. They're asking what ammunition was in the chamber when the gun blew up. ;)
 
I have that same exact rifle, so I'm very interested in what you come up with. Please keep us updated. Nothing I've shot yet has shown any sign of overpressure, and I've used H335, IMR4064, AA2230, and Varget, and all up to maximum recommended loads with various bullets.

I'm glad you're Ok.
 
Agreed,rifles do not cause that.Agreed,rifle performed great.Hats off to Ruger.
Agreed with Johnska,brass looks like way overpressure,not brass failure
Powder looks funny,not lke other canisters of powder,OK,BINGO.
Now,Watson,lets list all possible combinations of events that could result in a contaminated can of powder.
New sealed can,unbroken seal.
It came from factory that way,contaminated.or
The powder measure hopper was not completely empty when the 335 was poured in.It contained another powder,likely a pistol powder.The mix was returned to the canister.

Not a new can with an unbroken seal.
Never buy or accept "used" powder,gunshow,etc.Bought contaminated.Or,some powder was left in the hopper and returned to the cannister,the wrong cannister,or the hopper powder was mis identified.

I have no clue which possibility is true,but,there are only so many possibilities.
The .223 does not have an abundance of case capacity.Ihave my doubts that enough 335 could be put in a .223 case to cause the sort of pressures evident.
Hogdon data shows that load at 34,400 cup.The max load of 28 grs only shows 44,600 cup. Generally when a 28 gr max load develops 44,600 cup,it means the case won't hold any more powder and it is still a low pressure load.
One way or another,no matter who did it,wrong powder/mixed powder
 
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Hibc your right the case cant hold much more than 26gns and still get a bullet in it

as for the powder id say your right there to if it was new then i dont know to tell you but send it back to them

glad your not hurt cornbush
 
Like the others, I don't believe you can stuff enough H335 into a .223 case to do that to a Ruger M77.

Could improper annealing have caused a case to blow like that?

Otherwise, I agree it looks like the wrong powder caused a massive overpressure.

Thanks for posting this and glad you weren't injured.
 
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Good on Ruger, a lesser rifle could have really blown apart. Makes me feel even better about my 77MkII which not only looks good and shoots like a champ, apparently it's safe too.

Something like this is also a very good reason that left handed shooters shouldn't use a right handed bolt rifle and vice versa.
 
Without looking at a book, the question I have is how close to a max load was this load? I will not use Federal 223 brass in my rifles. Federal brass is heavier than about everything else. A safe load using Lake City brass becomes an unsafe load by simply loading it in a Federal case. I went to Perry in 07 and load a bunch of ammo. I ordered Once fired GI brass which normally to me means Lake City. But it was federal. I know I should have worked up my loads but I was still loading the night before we left. :mad: I never had so many primers coming out of the primer pocket and fouling things up before.
 
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The powder is less than a year old, bought at either the local Sportsmans Wharehouse, or Cabelas.
The powder canister is clearly marked (no double label), undamaged and was sealed tight when I got it.
I am going to contact Hodgdon tomorrow and see if I can send this can back to them and have them test it to make sure it's 335.
The more I look at it compared to other powders and other cans of H335 it looks like its been blended (contaminated) with another ball powder.
I opened the can, loaded some rounds and put it away again, I know for certain it was not contaminated or mixed by accident on my end.
I agree with you guys saying its doubtful a full case of H335 would do this, I don't think most appropriate powders would do this. Blow a primer, stick a case, sure, but set off a nuclear bomb.... no

Nobody has started yet, but lets not bash Hodgdon or Ruger til we know what happened for sure. That Ruger saved my face, I have know doubt in some other guns I would have been headed to the ER at the very least.
 
One way or another,no matter who did it,wrong powder/mixed powder
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That's what our determination was, as well. However, some powder companies vary granule size and shape, to control burn rates. Until we get some answers from Hodgdon about that particular canister of "H335", it's just a good guess that it was contaminated.


Or,some powder was left in the hopper and returned to the cannister,the wrong cannister,or the hopper powder was mis identified.
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The charges were thrown by hand, out of a new canister of H335.

Without looking at a book, the question I have is how close to a max load was this load?
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It's a starting load. :(
 
i would say the can of powder was the first of the line on a powder change at the plant and some of the last powder that was being packaged was left in the line and got into your can.
 
Don't rule out somebody doing it at the store.The Hodgdon seal on the can isn't the best.The local Cabelas puts tamper proof tape on. I quess they put it on none of the local gunshops powder have it on
 
I think that you should contact Ruger and see if they want to use the gun in one of their advertisements. It's one hell of a testimonial to the rifle's safety.
 
Do not send the canister back to Hodgdon.
Contact them and show any photos you have of the powder and the canister.
If you have the same type in another can left over send them photos of both.
Then ask them if they want a sample of the powder and request a sample container or instructions on how to return a sample.
Once you send the entire can to them,,, you may never hear from them again.
I am not saying Hodgdon is a bad company, I use a lot of Hodgdon and will continue to do so.
But protect yourself from lawyers.
 
Ozzieman, I was thinking along those same lines.
Going to call in the morning and see what happens.:confused:

No matter what Hodgdon says I can not be happier with the way my rifle held together.... definitely buy more Rugers.
 
Once you send the entire can to them,,, you may never hear from them again.
I am not saying Hodgdon is a bad company, I use a lot of Hodgdon and will continue to do so. But protect yourself from lawyers.
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I wouldn't hesitate to send it to them should they ask . I would ask for a shipper call tag though . I've done business with them directly and face to face for 25 yrs . Hodgdon is good people !

It doesn't seem that cornbush is looking to sue anyone but he would most likely like to get back to the range with the rifle or replacement . Contact Hodgdon and contact Ruger about sending them the rifle for inspection and possible repair . Both companies will do you right .
 
Subscribing!!

What a crazy story! I'm glad you are OK. I was at the range today shooting my .223 (half-built Stevens), kinda struck a chord with me. Very interested in how things work out for you.
 
I would take a sample of the questionable powder with a witness then send the canister back to the factory and the rifle back to Ruger. Let them know that you aren't looking to file a lawsuit and will sign a waiver, you simply want them to replace your gun. If they say the powder is fine get your sample analyzed by a 3rd party.
 
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