doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com CAUTION: Graphic Blow Up Injury

I'd like to know how anyone can get a double charge of powder into a 12 ga hull under a full load of shot. Or even a 50 % increase. I'd surely like to know what caused that catastrophic burst, as would we all who shoot Damascus barrelled guns. Does look like rust in cracks though, doesn't it?
Mike

Look at the loose piece. This appears to be the forward part of the missing area. It does appear to have a bulge as well as a slight flaring of the forward wall of the break in the barrel itself. This may well have been the result of a loose base wad lodged in the cone with the rupture starting at that area. The force there may have been severe enough that as it ruptured it just tore out the mat'l behind the actual rupture point.

I think the lines on the green plastic casing following the ribands of the chamber and barrel indicate a huge overload of pressure. I posit this could be caused by a double charge of powder or an obstruction not allowing the charge to expand down the barrel.

Most of this type of barrel bulge or burst is caused by an obstruction, right?.

There are several chamber blow-outs here Mike, and most are presumed to be from a double powder charge. Most distal barrel ruptures are certainly from obstruction.
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17546456

This may well have been a 20g shell lodged in the 12g forcing cone

Not only should all unused shells be dismantled and components weighed, but all identified empties should be inspected for missing base wads. This is easier than it sounds. Only empties at station seven, and possibly station six need be inspected.

Not a good thing. Previous cracking along pattern, moisture build-up, excessive powder charge, etc. It would be nice to know what he loaded or was trying to load.

As for being a double drop of powder, not in a progressive machine, brother Drew stated Mec 900, I believe he meant Mec 9000 which is usually set up for automatic operation except for new shell placement and wad placement. Every time it indexes, it moves to another station and the charge bar does the same. The bushing will hold just one charge of powder, and one charge of shot. So I do not believe a double charge from a Mec 9000 or any other progressive Mec.

The wall thickness looks good, the recipe is what is needed.

Well, it isn't likely a base wad problem as the Remington Gun Club hull does not have one. Thos hulls, like the STS are one piece construction.

Your point is well accepted, but a blowup like that could be the whole shell, minus the steel base, stuck in the forcing cone. I hesitate to use the term "compression formed" because I don't know that's what it is. I also don't think the injured party is the one who should be inspecting and weighing the shells. Neutral party would be a better choice.

ouch!

make sure you get a tetanus shot...