Gotta triple check

Large rifle is larger than large pistol. They shouldn't interchange. Never tried it, but it seems like you would have known something was amiss when you seated that primer. Verify your primers though and make sure.

I was thinking a squib followed by your second 'tap' but don't see how it would have functioned. This would have to be a double charge, over 10gr of 231 would be a serious overload. The trouble with weighing the remaining rounds is that the double-charge only needs to happen once. I'm old fashioned, 50 charged cases in a loading block and visual inspection before seating the bullets. Sorry for your loss, hope you weren't injured.

LR and LP are exactly the same size, .210" diameter.

But the LR cup is about .008" taller then the LP cup.

Large pistol primer pockets are .117" to .123" deep.
Large rifle primer pockets are .125" to .132" deep.

So yes, a LR primer seated in a pistol case could protrude far enough to cause a slam-fire during chambering.

It would be very unusual, but it could happen.

rc

How old is your W231?

Glad you weren't hurt. I would pull all of them, just me though...Did you have a squib first? This is exactly why we encourage people to look at each charge, under a good light. I started when I was just a kid, and my dad would have sold my gun if I would have ever made a mistake using my Lee Loader. I knew I couldn't survive that, so I made certain to check every one. I can't use a progressive, it drives me nuts watching every step.

Not intending to offend you, but you definitely need to make some changes to your reloading process. You should have some fail safe steps integrated into the process, these type of accidents should not, can not happen. I would be a liar if I said I've never made a serious mistake, but because I have fail safe steps that make it impossible for anything to slip by, those mistakes have never made it to the firearm or the range.

Weighing finished cartridges is not an effective method of identifying a squib or an over charged case.

Double check and verify that your scale has been properly zeroed, and is then set to the correct weight.

Never have more than one powder on the bench.

Always visually inspect each case with a good bright light prior to seating the bullets.

Always double and triple check your components, powder, primers, bullet weight to be sure you are using the intended one.

Double, and triple check if necessary, that the data matches your intended load.

Don't reload when you are distracted or tired

When in doubt, start pulling bullets. Lost time doesn't cost you your vision, life, or a firearm.

Log everything. Keeping a log can inject one more fail safe into the process.

I'm glad you were not seriously injured. And I sincerely hope this incident is going to change how you engage this wonderful hobby.

GS

Absolutely what gamestalker, just stated, I reload on a progressive press, and that is the way I've been reloading for the past 20+ years and have yet to have a problem. One thing I always incorporate is a powder checker die, and even with that installed, I still check the casing by eye sight just to make sure.

Years ago I started on a RCBS Rock Chucker, which I still have and use it on all my rifle cases, that old press is almost foolproof, however I still visually check the powder in the cases, and double check the reloading manual, to make sure I'm using all the right components.

Again I'm glad your weren't injured, that gun can be replaced.

So would a WLR primer cause a catastrophe.

Click to expand...

Maybe? If primer was high, and round jammed on the feed ramp, then maybe. Rounds have been set off loading a magazine. Bullet set back may. A double charge will for sure. http://www.photobucket.com/kabooom

Maybe a stupid question (but maybe not): have you checked the bore?

Having lost an SP101 due to dbl charge, I feel your pain.

Guys & gals, please stay safe in ALL of your gun & ammo handling practices.

Over the past couple of years of reloading, I have gone thru some learning curves. Luckily none were really serious.

I have ALWAYS been hovering over the brass after the powder drop to make sure I dont have a double load, but that hasnt stopped a squib load or two to sneak past into my gun.

My powder loads have gotten better, just seems I needed more time reloading.

Lately I have had a few what I thought were squib loads, but when I checked the ammo, it was a BACKWARDS primer!?!? Whaaaa?? I has only happened with .45acp and Large pistol primers.

I have not had a problem with loading 9mm and small primers.

I now check each load by putting it in a 50 count box with the primers up so I can see that they are all seated properly, shiny side up!

Then i will continue to look each bullet as I load my mags. Now, anytime I think I have a problem, I drop a 9mm brass thru the bore of my 1911 .45 to make sure it is clear.


be safe.

My routine is as follows: Lee Turret, Size and prime,observing that the primer is in the right position and seated by feel. Drop powder and observe, weighing every ten or so. Seat bullet and measure COAL, inspect every round and place in box. No radio or distractions. I inspect every case after tumbling and before the loading process. Just my way

Glad you are ok. Explosions out of control are just that. All the safety and checking measures mentioned here are good ones. I have seated primers upside down but caught it right away. I do like sauer1911 and place them primer up in the tray. I also measure every fifth charge (more with extruded powder just because my RCBS powder measure doesn't like them). I also take a small LED flashlight and eyeball every charge. I also testfire any new loads before proceeding (luxury of having my own range).

I also have the luxury of a range in the back yard to test- a great advantage. As I've posted elsewhere, 1) I reload alone, 2) no TV, music, or other distractions of that sort (and I love music), 3) no alcoholic beverages before or during reloading (although I like a wee dram), and 4) my full attention on the reloading activity I'm doing.
Many of the usual precautions have been mentioned. Although I load for all three types of ammo, only one type of powder or primers is allowed out of the storage locker at a time. If I'm using a load I've done before (and I've reloaded for 50 years, some of those loads go back a ways), I pull the card on it, and double-check for the correct components. I never, EVER, trust to memory.
I've graduated to an electronic scale, but it's always plugged in, warmed up according to directions, and calibrated. It's always on while I'm reloading, used to periodically check for the correct weight of powder being dropped.

Last, and it wasn't mentioned specifically, if you experience a squib (I have!), STOP. Immediately unload the gun and check for obstructions in the chamber / cylinder / barrel. The squib that kills puts a bulled just far enough up the barrel to chamber the next round, which then destroys the gun and who knows what else.
I had a "lucky" squib experience a while back, using some ammo of unknown provenance I should have known better than to shoot. A revolver squibbed where the primer put the bullet into the forcing cone, but not enough to clear the cylinder. This locks up the gun so it's obvious something is very wrong. I keep a friend's 1911 barrel above my reloading bench to remind me of an "unlucky" squib. The thing is ballooned out just in front of the chamber, luckily the barrel didn't burst.
And, as a corollary to what some people have already mentioned, if you have had a squib, there's always the possibility of a double charge lurking in the rest of that batch.

This is a wonderful pastime, but when doing it, unlike some other pursuits, it demands our undivided attention, and our heads in the game.

getting primers mixed up is always a concern that's why i count the primers i load in the tray and load the last 1 or 2 by hand and cycle the feeder a few times to make sure no more are left. i do not care for any part of an operation in loading ammo that i can't see with my own two eyes