Bad day at the Range for Custom Gun. - Page 2

mikld · July 1, 2015, 10:48 AM

Dunno about $$$$$ guns and $ ammo because I don't buy ammo. In 2009 I bought a box of 45 ACP, and in 2012 I bought a box of 380 ACP and 303 British. Just wanted a quick way to get some brass...

merbeau · July 29, 2015, 02:44 PM

Having been both a bullseye and skeet shooter for years wearing safety glasses is second nature. So when I go to the rifle range I always have them on. Some older model military rifles do not have gas ports and a punctured primer could cause serious injury.

Jimro · July 29, 2015, 03:10 PM

3000 dollars is cheap compared to a hospital stay.

Without any further evidence I have no idea what caused the malfunction, but if it was truly a "custom" 308 then this is my best guess, it may have come with a "tight" (minimum spec) chamber for accuracy. A thick necked piece of brass with a just slightly oversized bullet could have gotten lodged in the neck of the chamber and caused the "kaboom" every bit as much as a charge of the wrong powder could.

My second best guess is using a low charge of a slow burning powder, producing the Secondary Explosion Effect.

My third best guess is powder mismatch, although most pistol powders I use are flake it would be possible to use a ball pistol powder in place of a ball rifle powder and not spot the difference.

My last best guess is bore obstruction, maybe the guy was "breaking in" the barrel and a section of cleaning rod unscrewed that he didn't notice.

Tolerance stacking can produce very bad results. Powder mismatch can produce very bad results. Plugged bores can produce very bad results. I wish I knew more, but hopefully this list has been food for thought.

Jimro

leadcounsel · July 30, 2015, 05:34 PM

Ah, the hidden cost of reloading surfaces yet again...

At least with factory ammo, someone with deep pockets is on the hook.

std7mag · August 2, 2015, 12:36 PM

Wendy, Glad everyone is safe!! Reminds me of the time a guy at the range was actively trying to get the bolt closed for his 308 on a 30-06 round...

Bench was used on bolt knob then too....

Franknmauser,
Ever heard of sandbags, and a long string, when testing the unknown??? lol

Not saying, just saying...

Wendyj · August 2, 2015, 12:56 PM

I know that's right. I had about 10 rounds left last weekend and they showed back up and sat at bench to left of me. They were putting out targets. I packed up and left. I've only been reloading since April but I at least know how many grains and which brand of powder is in my loads.

F. Guffey · August 2, 2015, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Federal only missed the mark SIXTEEN times, and ten times the tolerance. And that wasn't the only box of Federal ammo that I have come across with 0.130" excessive headspace.

I do not have head space on the case, I do not have case head space gages. I am capable of verifying my micrometers and gages.

I have fired 8mm57 ammo in an 8mm06 chamber, difference in length? .127", that is .003" difference than the .130" you claim. And then? What happened? Nothing, I ejected a case with a very short neck.

And no one can tell me what that means.

F. Guffey

FrankenMauser · August 3, 2015, 06:55 AM

Quote:

I do not have head space on the case, I do not have case head space gages. I am capable of verifying my micrometers and gages.

I have fired 8mm57 ammo in an 8mm06 chamber, difference in length? .127", that is .003" difference than the .130" you claim. And then? What happened? Nothing, I ejected a case with a very short neck.

Congratulations.

serf 'rett · August 3, 2015, 11:03 AM

Quote:

I packed up and left.

Suspect I would have done the same thing, but I would have been sorely tempted, as I passed by, to ask what powder they were using this week, in the most amiable manner I could muster of course.

schmellba99 · August 3, 2015, 11:23 AM

I just don't understand the "I didn't say anything to them and packed up and left" attitude.

To me that is absolutely counter-productive, and the absolute wrong attitude to have. Maybe it's because the "see something, say something" safety attitude of my industry is absolutely hammered into my brain - but if somebody is having to pound open a bolt and continues shooting, I'm going to say something to them - they have the option of listening to my statement or telling me to eff off, but to me the absolute worst thing that can be done is nothing.

Maybe....just maybe....my statement or interjecting into what is obviously a dangerous situation will save somebody's eyes or fingers or teeth, not to mention the gun itself.

F. Guffey · August 3, 2015, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Congratulations.

Thank you.

F. Guffey

Palmetto-Pride · August 4, 2015, 06:55 PM

Quote:

I just don't understand the "I didn't say anything to them and packed up and left" attitude.

I hear what you are saying and I too am tempted to try and correct people when I see them do dangerous things at the range, but I do size them up first to see if they are the type to be receptive or not. I have a public range that is only 30 mins away, but I will drive to my private range that is 1.5 hrs away most days before I hit the closer public range. I hate to hijack the thread (as I do)

lol One of the most annoying things I witness most at public ranges is these people that come out and blast away at targets 10-15ft away with anything from AR-15s to shotguns I am trying to see my target at 100yds and all I can see is a dust cloud from the ground being shot up right in front of me. That's usually when I pack up and leave.

July 1, 2015, 10:48 AM	#26
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Dunno about $$$$$ guns and $ ammo because I don't buy ammo. In 2009 I bought a box of 45 ACP, and in 2012 I bought a box of 380 ACP and 303 British. Just wanted a quick way to get some brass... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees... Last edited by mikld; July 3, 2015 at 10:10 AM.

July 29, 2015, 02:44 PM	#27
merbeau Member Join Date: May 21, 2013 Posts: 55	Do not forget the safety glasses Having been both a bullseye and skeet shooter for years wearing safety glasses is second nature. So when I go to the rifle range I always have them on. Some older model military rifles do not have gas ports and a punctured primer could cause serious injury.

July 29, 2015, 03:10 PM	#28
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	3000 dollars is cheap compared to a hospital stay. Without any further evidence I have no idea what caused the malfunction, but if it was truly a "custom" 308 then this is my best guess, it may have come with a "tight" (minimum spec) chamber for accuracy. A thick necked piece of brass with a just slightly oversized bullet could have gotten lodged in the neck of the chamber and caused the "kaboom" every bit as much as a charge of the wrong powder could. My second best guess is using a low charge of a slow burning powder, producing the Secondary Explosion Effect. My third best guess is powder mismatch, although most pistol powders I use are flake it would be possible to use a ball pistol powder in place of a ball rifle powder and not spot the difference. My last best guess is bore obstruction, maybe the guy was "breaking in" the barrel and a section of cleaning rod unscrewed that he didn't notice. Tolerance stacking can produce very bad results. Powder mismatch can produce very bad results. Plugged bores can produce very bad results. I wish I knew more, but hopefully this list has been food for thought. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

August 2, 2015, 12:56 PM	#31
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	I know that's right. I had about 10 rounds left last weekend and they showed back up and sat at bench to left of me. They were putting out targets. I packed up and left. I've only been reloading since April but I at least know how many grains and which brand of powder is in my loads. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!!

July 30, 2015, 05:34 PM	#29
leadcounsel Junior member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 2,119	Ah, the hidden cost of reloading surfaces yet again... At least with factory ammo, someone with deep pockets is on the hook.

August 2, 2015, 12:36 PM	#30
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Wendy, Glad everyone is safe!! Reminds me of the time a guy at the range was actively trying to get the bolt closed for his 308 on a 30-06 round... Bench was used on bolt knob then too.... Franknmauser, Ever heard of sandbags, and a long string, when testing the unknown??? lol Not saying, just saying...

August 3, 2015, 11:23 AM	#35
schmellba99 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 803	I just don't understand the "I didn't say anything to them and packed up and left" attitude. To me that is absolutely counter-productive, and the absolute wrong attitude to have. Maybe it's because the "see something, say something" safety attitude of my industry is absolutely hammered into my brain - but if somebody is having to pound open a bolt and continues shooting, I'm going to say something to them - they have the option of listening to my statement or telling me to eff off, but to me the absolute worst thing that can be done is nothing. Maybe....just maybe....my statement or interjecting into what is obviously a dangerous situation will save somebody's eyes or fingers or teeth, not to mention the gun itself.