Page 1 of 2

How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 2:53 pm
by VMI77
http://weaponsman.com/?p=23137
There’s the old double-charge. Since this late, lamented Colt Anaconda is… er, was a .44 Mag (which is hard to double-charge without obviously spilling powder) a more likely explanation is an oversized load of something fast-burning.

Overconfidence + Handloads + Revolver =
Image

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=96&v=Q_XNWeMqCT0[/video]

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 3:12 pm
by TheCytochromeC
It kind of reminds me when I see a classic car get destroyed in a movie, there's just one less one out there now. Except no one got to see the magic happen.

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 5:52 pm
by WildBill
I am curious about what type of powder was used.

Most loads completely fill the case so a "double charge" is not possible. :headscratch

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 6:03 pm
by VMI77
WildBill wrote:I am curious about what type of powder was used.

Most loads completely fill the case so a "double charge" is not possible. :headscratch
That's what the Weapons Man said...but apparently doesn't know what was used.

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 6:29 pm
by PBratton
Sad. Truly, truly sad.

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 6:31 pm
by WildBill
PBratton wrote:Sad. Truly, truly sad.
Sad that it is not replaceable.

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:34 pm
by eureka40
I cried a little.

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 2:48 am
by JSThane
Everyone knows, if you're going to hot-load a revolver by grabbing the fastest-burning powder you can find, filling the case, and going to town with it, you use a Ruger! :biggrinjester:

I jest, even Rugers have their limits. Follow the loading manuals carefully, and never deviate... but if you do, please don't do it with a collectible firearm! Ruger still makes the Blackhawk, Redhawk, and Super Redhawk, all firearms designed to be abused past the limits of other guns. An Anaconda is strong, but not as strong as a Super Redhawk! If you really feel the burning need to have a front sight embedded in your cranium, regardless of whether it's still attached to the firearm, please don't use an old Colt! :banghead:

On the plus side, I believe this particular image set has been floating around the internet for a few years, so it's most likely not -another- Anaconda post-mortem, just a re-hash.

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 4:04 am
by surprise_i'm_armed
Is that covered under warranty?

SIA

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 6:56 am
by rbwhatever1
I imagine some of these thoughtless morons are shooting at gun ranges without a care in the world about other folks around them. I wonder if the idiot told his buddy "watch this" before he blew up the Colt.

I have a pair of 1858's and enjoy shooting them. I've never harbored any desires to push them beyond their limits or attempt to blow them up.

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 7:46 am
by Jumping Frog
surprise_i'm_armed wrote:Is that covered under warranty?

SIA
No.

Warranties exclude handloads.

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 8:15 am
by kragluver
I hope he pulls the bullets and inspects the loads from all other rounds from that batch of hand loads. A double charge of bullseye or unique will definitely do that and not overflow the case.

One should inspect every cartridge visually before seating the bullet (even when using a progressive).

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 8:21 am
by ShootDontTalk
A full case charge of powder and enough bullet setback will compress the powder and drastically increase the pressure. Reloading for a .44 Mag (or any round with heavy recoil) demands good, firm crimping. The recoil itself causes the bullet to slip back compressing the powder. That is where the crimp comes in. I had a guy hand me a couple of .44 Mags once that had set themselves back due to that problem. Scary, but not exactly a new problem.

kraal uber...IIRC there is a die that can be used on a progressive press that will warn of excessive powder loads. As usual, I can't remember what it is called. :???:

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 8:13 am
by sjfcontrol
ShootDontTalk wrote:A full case charge of powder and enough bullet setback will compress the powder and drastically increase the pressure. Reloading for a .44 Mag (or any round with heavy recoil) demands good, firm crimping. The recoil itself causes the bullet to slip back compressing the powder. That is where the crimp comes in. I had a guy hand me a couple of .44 Mags once that had set themselves back due to that problem. Scary, but not exactly a new problem.

kraal uber...IIRC there is a die that can be used on a progressive press that will warn of excessive powder loads. As usual, I can't remember what it is called. :???:

"Powder Cop"?

Re: How to Blow Up a Revolver

Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 9:19 am
by ShootDontTalk
Here is one:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/234716 ... hecker-die" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Others make them too.