Ed Harris
posted this
16 January 2019
Frank Marshall, Giorgio and I all figured out that when loading the fast-burning pistol and shotgun powders, the correct charge is one in which an accidental double charge will not blow up the gun, but may indeed lead the barrel, blow the primer and otherwise give you a good scare, getting your attention, but one in which your eyeballs, well protected by glasses, and all of your fingers remain intact.
Case in point, doubling the infamous 13 grains of Red Dot in the .30-'06 with 160-grain GC drops the primer and requires application of a dead blow lead hammer to open the bolt, but did not blow-up a sound Remington 03A3.
Ditto for the famous 16 grains of #2400.....fired in the same rifle!!............. Headspace remained OK, and shot better afterwards because both lugs then bore evenly. Much easier than lapping the lugs, but absolutely not recommended practice!
Ditto for 12 grains of Unique in an 1884 Trapdoor with #457193. DID bulge the chamber, turned a nice shooter into a wall hanger which is hanging now on a restaurant wall in Upperville, VA.
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP!!!
NEVER load at the range when people are liable to ask you stupid questions and distract you from your task!
One I cannot take credit for personally in loading the ammo, but one in which I fired the Ransom-Rested .45 is 4.2 grains of 700X with the H&G#68. Double charged shot dropped 4" low out of the 2" group at 50 yards and gave about 1200 fps. Blew out the magazine bottom, spring and follower, but Joe White's Clark wadcutter gun was undamaged and he took it to Camp Perry. REALLY glad it was held in Ransom Rest, because blowing the grips off when you are holding onto the gun is most unpleasant. Took a guy to the ER who did that same summer. Cured me of using progressive loaders observing other's snafus.
I love the RCBS Little Dandy. I love strong rifles and RUGER reevolvers. I got rid of my black powder era ones.
I treat my Colts gently and charge one block of 50 cases at a time and visually inspect every one of the little boogers with a penlight and compare against its Brothers.
OK, you'all have heard MY confessions, let's hear yours.
73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia