[4th award expert]

I was out shooting some this afternoon since the weather is nice here.
Had my Ruger SR1911 stainless out. Just running some drills, strong hand, weak hand, and such.
Was shooting weak hand unsupported when I had a kaboom. I just set the pistol down to asses the situation.
Had some stinging on my face left hand covered in soot. OK nothing serious. Start to inspect pistol, pull mag, 2 rounds left in, pushed down in the back and top round all scarred up. Crimson Trace laser grips blown partway off. Can't cycle slide. Pack everything up and head in for some investigation.
First verified that the round I could see in the chamber wasn't live, did this with cleaning rod and simply stuck it in the barrel to check how deep it went in, empty shell in chamber.
Had a hard time getting plunger out, got that out, spring out and barrel bushing out. Still couldn't work slide. Cleaning rod into barrel and some gentle persuasion got it out.
The brass is Perfecta, 230 gr lead RN, 5 grs Reddot loaded on Dillon Square Deal press.
Don't know how many reloads for this piece of brass.
The pistol show's no sign of damage at all. Gonna clean it up, put it back together and shoot it. Just not today The Crimson Trace Laser Grips has a crack in it but it still function's. Will have to reinstall and check to see if they hold zero.
It looks to me like I just had a brass failure, don't know why.
Oh I checked in the mirror, 1 blood spot below nose, 3-4 burn marks from powder I think. Glad I use safety glasses.
Bob

 

[Wasted ammo]

I wouldn't try it with that ammo, buy a box of factory target ammo!

 

[unkola]

Man, glad to hear you're okay. That's one hell of a case separation. Let us know if you find anything more damaged.... including yourself. Take care. -Lloyd BEERCHUG1

 

[35515]

Do you have enough info to know the cause of the kaboom?

 

[SGT John SWF]

It was a Double Load. It can even happen with a fully Progressive Press like the SDB.
Sometimes when we "Back up to see something" Like checking a Primer or a cocked bullet ETC it can happen because we are all Human.

 

[XXIV Corps]

It's good to see that you're all right . Time to change out your brass I think .

DI5

 

[swagbrdr]

Yikes. Glad you're ok!

 

[32639]

It was a Double Load. It can even happen with a fully Progressive Press like the SDB.
Sometimes when we "Back up to see something" Like checking a Primer or a cocked bullet ETC it can happen because we are all Human.

Couldn't agree more John. When I have a snafu on my Dillon, I empty the plate of any half finished rounds dump the powder from them and work them one at a time until I am back a zero started condition before I begin mass reloading.

4th award: shows that Ruger is a strong pistol.

 

[SGT John SWF]

Couldn't agree more John. When I have a snafu on my Dillon, I empty the plate of any half finished rounds dump the powder from them and work them one at a time until I am back a zero started condition before I begin mass reloading.

Doug you are dead on!

 

[48361]

Glad you're ok. Noticing that a lot of recently reported kabooms have one thing in common...Perfecta.

 

[spanky289]

Glad to hear you are alright, maybe crimson trace will warranty the grips?

 

[NORKALNIMROD]

First, God was looking over you as this could have had a much different and less desirable outcome! I am glad you were not seriously injured.
Second, I agree with SGT John SWF and Douglas Haig 100%! I have been using an RL550b since 1988/89 and have loaded countless thousands of .45acp through it as well as numerous other calibers without incident, thank God! If you follow the rules these members stated you will not likely ever have an incident involving a double charge or just as dangerous, no charge.
I would like to add another step. When you have completed a loading session insure you empty your powder reservoir into the powders appropriate container, which is always the original container in which the powder came in when purchased! Also insure you cycle the powder bar a couple of times after you have emptied the reservoir. I know of more than one incident where the wrong powder was utilized as a result of not following these practices.

 

[TheShooter]

Reloads. Enough said.

 

[SGT John SWF]

Being on the internet we sometimes get desensitized to the fact that there are Real People on the other end of these posts.
I 'am so sorry 4th award expert that I did not ask if you were OK.
We are so quick to post an answer we forget the real issue!
I am glad you are OK and I will try never to let this happen again!

 

[SGT John SWF]

Reloads. Enough said.

There is nothing wrong with Hand loads ! Care must be taken of course but it does not mean there is a Problem with them.

Now "Reloads" Like the kind you buy at a Gun Show...Well that is a different story!

 

[valken]

A testament to the design. Low pressure Cartridge, well design, all steel construction all lead to a saved hand. Happy to know you were not injured and the pistol continues to function. Figure out what went wrong and learn from it. I only use reloads through my 1911's and will continue. So forget the nay sayers. Something might have gone wrong in your reloading process and begs for you to learn from it.

 

[4th award expert]

I don't know really what went wrong. As Sgt. JohnSWF stated it could have been a double charge. With about 45 years reloading this is only my 2nd mishap, 1st was a squib load in a revolver that as soon as I shot I knew not to shoot again.

I am new to the Dillon press, so that could have been a factor in the problem. The only injuries to myself were a couple of scratches that drew a drop of blood and a couple powder burns. When I get a miss feed and have to spin things out to redo things it might of not got back in the same order.

I will also check all my brass again. I usually just look for split cases not bulges at the base.

Thanks for all the replies.

PS I don't think I dare ask Crimson Trace for a warranty.
Bob

 

[JMGlasgow]

Reloads. Enough said.

You couldn't be more wrong. Are you seriously insinuating that that couldn't happen if it was new factory ammo? Freedom Munitions comes to mind, so does just about every ammo manufacturer at some point in time.

OP, I like to use powders that sufficiently fill the case so that when a bullet is seated, there isn't much room left for more powder. Unique and Nitro100 are good at fillng 45ACP cases. Glad you and your handgun will be OK.

 

[valken]

PS I don't think I dare ask Crimson Trace for a warranty.

I would agree, that would be in poor taste.

 

[SA762]

Glad you are ok and for posting this. I own a commander Ruger and am planning on working up some handloads soon. I will keep this in mind.