Ammunition & Hand Loading > Cartridge and Shotshell reloading
Small rifle primers in 9mm reloads?
SemperFiGuy:
GG:
Nothing observable in the way of primer cratering. All visible signs, including primers, seemed to indicate pretty much normal .38Spcl low pressure target loads, which was certainly the intent.
The only discernible difference [without use of instrumentation] was the sound, which was a higher pitched, shorter duration "crack" as compared to the usual "bang". [Reminds me of trying to describe songbird calls without use of recording devices.]
I'm guessing the hotter Magnum primers conflagrate all the powder somewhat more quickly than the regular primers, which could make the difference.
Shoulda run the chronometer on these test rounds, but I had along some guests from Canada who never are able to shoot handguns at home and I was introducing them to handgunnery. [They were using regular target rounds in my S&W Model 19, not the test rounds.] It was enough just to teach these two fine fellow professors to safely shoot a revolver, so I didn't bother w/the chrony setup.
So--I'm gonna use the WSP Magnum primers w/the 3.5gr Win231 loads. Until the Magnum primers are gone. This load is 0.5gr below my normal low end target load w/regular WSPs and Win231.
sfg
358156hp:
It sounds like you're in good shape then.
SemperFiGuy:
--- Quote ---It sounds like you're in good shape then.
--- End quote ---
The Reloader's Code clearly says that we should stick with written, proven, tested reloading recipes. That is, use what's in the Book.
Since WSP Magnum primers are definitely NOT in the Reloading Book for .38Spcl, I approached this particular activity about as carefully as two porcupines making love.
First, I searched numerous handgun reloading websites and found discussions where this particular primer substitution had been previously made by experienced reloaders who obtained positive, acceptably-safe results. Next, I loaded at the low, low powder level. Last, when shooting the test rounds, I also took very conservative precautions that would nullify any Ka-boom event. [At least, with respect to the personal parts of myself and any bystanders.]
Still, being a generally cautious kinda fellow, I felt some discomfort with the process. Had to keep remembering that I was shooting these sparky .38s in a Model 19 Smith and Wesson revolver that regularly shoots .357Magnum rounds, so it's a rugged handgun, that one.
All in all........I'm still gonna load 'em up and shoot 'em.
sfg
GreyGeek:
--- Quote from: SemperFiGuy on May 20, 2013, 10:15:30 PM ---All in all........I'm still gonna load 'em up and shoot 'em.
--- End quote ---
Spoken like a true explorer!
A friend related his experience last week using reloaded .45 colt ammo in his "The Judge" revolver. The cylinder exploded on the second shot. He had his CHP for years and carried daily because of his line of work. The shortage of ammo gave him a desire to load his own, especially after I related my experience reloading 9mm for my Nano. His father-in-law reloaded and he watched as his FIL loaded up some "light" .45 colt rounds. I asked him "how light?". He said the case was only about 20% full of powder.
The first round was not a squib. He found the nose of the second round caught on the side of the barrel, jamming it up.
He's sending it back to Tarus.
SemperFiGuy:
GG:
Pls help me understand what happened in the above Ka-boom situation:
--- Quote ---The first round was not a squib. He found the nose of the second round caught on the side of the barrel, jamming it up.
--- End quote ---
First round went through OK, it seems. Apparently worked like it shoulda.
Second round got jammed inside barrel?? And also blew the second round shooting cavity in the cylinder??
What do you think happened?? Underload Detonation-Explosion Syndrome?? [I did indeed have some serious concern about a possible US-ES event while working up the previously mentioned reloads because I was definitely underloading the .38Spcls, according to published load data. Lowest load in book for Win231 was 4.0gr, using 148gr DEWC bullets.]
Just straighten it out for me if you can, please, so I can understand what happened.
Thanks,
sfg
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