Made big mistake today!!

[74man]

I started loading 40 S&W with 155 grain Round Nose Flat Point with WST @ 5.5 grains and loaded 100 each, then I loaded 165 grain Round Nose Flat Point another 100 each with WST @ 5.2 grains. Then I found some MagTech 180 grain Round Nose Flat Point so I loaded 50 each with WST @ 5.8 grains, way to much powder!!! Funny thing is I don't know where I got that loading information at or what made me question the load after I loaded all 50 cases? I have checked all my loading books and there is nothing close to that using WST Powder..Must have been a BRAIN FART!! I took all 50 apart and dropped the load to 4.6 grains, Hodgdon quoted start load is 4.4 grains and Max load is 4.9 grains. I have checked everywhere online and in all my books and there is nothing close to that load. I don't know what made me question the load but I am glad I did!! Wow, what a BRAIN FART that good have been very bad at the range and I hope nothing like that happens again. I will make sure every load is according to the book and what book the load came out of. I always write the load down on a lined 8.5 X 11 paper with Majic Marker, which I did today but I am going to start writing what manual I got the info from. I guess BRAIN FARTS can happen anytime so be extremely careful when reloading. Like I said I have not idea where I got that load info at.

 

[Walkalong]

At least you caught it and didn't get hurt.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I started loading 40 S&W with 155 grain Round Nose Flat Point with WST @ 5.5 grains and loaded 100 each, then I loaded 165 grain Round Nose Flat Point another 100 each with WST @ 5.2 grains. Then I found some MagTech 180 grain Round Nose Flat Point so I loaded 50 each with WST @ 5.8 grains, way to much powder!!! Funny thing is I don't know where I got that loading information at or what made me question the load after I loaded all 50 cases? I have checked all my loading books and there is nothing close to that using WST Powder..Must have been a BRAIN FART!! I took all 50 apart and dropped the load to 4.6 grains, Hodgdon quoted start load is 4.4 grains and Max load is 4.9 grains. I have checked everywhere online and in all my books and there is nothing close to that load. I don't know what made me question the load but I am glad I did!! Wow, what a BRAIN FART that good have been very bad at the range and I hope nothing like that happens again. I will make sure every load is according to the book and what book the load came out of. I always write the load down on a lined 8.5 X 11 paper with Majic Marker, which I did today but I am going to start writing what manual I got the info from. I guess BRAIN FARTS can happen anytime so be extremely careful when reloading. Like I said I have not idea where I got that load info at.

Wow! Good thing you checked. Glad you got it safely broken down, too. Happens to all of us. Thanks for sharing. Good reminder.

 

[The Glockodile]

Makes me wish I had bolt guns for all the calibers I load - pistol and rifle

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Makes me wish I had bolt guns for all the calibers I load - pistol and rifle

I am searching, always searching, for a bolt action 32 Long.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I am searching, always searching, for a bolt action 32 Long.

If it helps, you can get Contender barrels in .32H&R but they're a .308" groove. I have seen precisely ONE .32S&W Long Contender barrel and it did have a .310" groove. It was for sale but the owner wanted $700 for it.
To the best of my knowledge, they are still the owner of that barrel.
I had a Martini Cadet in .32-20 once. It was pretty much worn out when I got it, with a smooth bore from decades of corrosive ammo and a whole lot of use. I checked into having the barrel relined and it was cost prohibitive so I sold it for the action alone. Kept the stock, cleaned it up and put it on a .310 Cadet with a busted up stock. Shoulda kept the .32-20 but money at the time was in short supply so... it went to a better home.

Keep your eyes open for a T/C Contender action and barrels in the pistol calibers you want to test. They're plenty strong and if you want something stronger, the Encore is your ticket.

 

[Slamfire]

I am so glad to read you caught the error, as shooting those mini nukes might have caused some serious problems. What happens after a blow up is so unpredictable.

Confirmation bias, where an individual is absolutely sure of himself, causes more blowups than anything else. It is good to doubt one self, and double check.

 

[mdi]

OOPS, but glad you caught it in time. One reason I still keep my published reloading manuals in my shop. I most often keep the manual open to the data I'm using and I also write the info on a sticky note and stick it to my powder measure. Works for me...

 

[KY DAN]

I keep my loads simple, as in one load for a caliber and that data is written out on paper and attached to loading room wall.

I keep most calibers to the same powder within reason

 

[CodeSection]

.....I will make sure every load is according to the book and what book the load came out of. I always write the load down on a lined 8.5 X 11 paper with Majic Marker, which I did today but I am going to start writing what manual I got the info from......

I'm glad you caught the mistake and have taken steps to eliminate it in the future. This is a good safety reminder and tip. Thanks for sharing.

FWIW, for decades I have recorded the load data source which includes the manual edition along with the page number on every load I prepare.

 

[Remington1911]

I keep my loads simple, as in one load for a caliber and that data is written out on paper and attached to loading room wall.

I keep most calibers to the same powder within reason

Once I decide on a powder I generally use it for all that caliber. Now different rifles do have different lengths naturally, and some even get different powder weights, but generally I will stick with the same powder for that specific make of rifle.

For example I have 4 Carcano's, they each like cartridges a bit different in length....that much I remember and I know at least one is loaded pretty light to make it shoot well and one of the others is up on the north end where I usually don't go with old girls, but it just likes them hot. I generally stick with one powder when I find something that works.

When working up loads and bringing in groups of 5 the charge weights will be different in that one group, and if I do a different powder I will load up another group of five with different charge weights in a different box.

Not sure I explained that real well.

 

[chamokaneman]

Good you caught it. Maybe there's something else you load that's supposed to be 5.8. I can't remember what it is now but somewhere out there, there is a no kidding scientific explanation (and name) for brain farts. They happen, their real.

 

[GooseGestapo]

5.8 is what I use of WSF w/180gr .40S&W

EASY to conflate with WST!

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

Fundamentals sir! It's a bit counter intuitive but with all else equal, heavier bullet means Less charge! Whew! Thanks for the reality check, always good to get a reminder.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Could've "inched" it... Meant to do 4.8 gr, but had been used to 5.xx from the prior loadings.

Now, might i suggest breaking down a round or two from the other batches and weighing the charge? Just to be extra safe.

 

[74man]

Thanks Goose, that could have been where I got the 5.8gr WSF but applied it to WST, WON'T DO THAT AGAIN!!

 

[bullseye308]

I always put a post it note on the powder dispenser while loading. On the note is date, caliber, bullet info, powder and weight, OAL, and where the data came from. When loaded the post it note goes in the ammo can with the rounds.