Blown!!

[Boge]

I was at the local range today and saw a fella I've known for years. He had an XDM with an aftermarket compensated barrel in .40 S&W. He was loading a 165 gr. bullet over 5.0 gr. WST and the case blew. It was not your average case kaboom however. The loaded chamber indicator blew out to parts unknown and the extractor was ironed FLAT!! :yikes: The 'smith gazed at it & said it looked like a possible double charge with all that damage. The barrel looked OK however it would make me nervous after seeing what it survived. The case blew out the rear AND part of the front and was fused into the chamber!! Like it "grenaded". Really odd. He loads on a Dillon 550 and said he had no anti-"bridging" alarm.

I have never loaded WST or for a .40 S&W so what do you think happened?

[AdamN]

Either a double or a big time bullet setback

[MakeMineaP99]

With the 550 being a manual index, he could have double charged and not even known.

[Mogollon]

Lead or jacketed bullet? Hodgdon.com lists 5.1 grains WST as max with a 165 grain JHP. If the brass had been roller-resized, the case could have failed, venting gas. Was the primer in the pocket? Did the frame suffer any damage or the magazine blow out? Typically a double charge, at least in Glocks, blows the magazine out and frags the polymer frame. Polymer is not as structurally sound as steel.
I am not ruling out a double charge by any means, but would expect more damage.

[D. Manley]

I'd think a double-charge of WST (10.2 grains) would have over-filled the case or at least, been more than obivious...fairly fast powder but good case density.

[cohutt]

Yeah I was going to ask if anyone figured 10g of WST would fill a 40 case and then some. ?

"Hey! Let's be careful out there...."
http://news.hereisthecity.com/cntns_media/hitcn/me_525.jpg

[AdamN]

Something else I didnt think of, I know Ive seen it where there is some odd bullet in a batch, I wonder if a 180gr bullet might have slipped into his box of 165's

[Crazy4nitro]

I like Adams Answer. Sounds good to me.

Then Again he might have had a Case of WTF vs. WST.

'Nitro

[creophus]

I think someone secretly replaced his XDm with a Glock...


Seriously though, I'm thinking an overcharge, not necessarily a double or a bullet set back. Was the shooter injured?

[Steve Koski]

Like the other said, WST is pretty fluffy, doubtful he'd have set a bullet on a case with powder spilling out of it.

[MONTEGOD7SS]

I think it's just cuz .40s blow up a lot and aren't safe to reload. That sound good?

[Bullseye10x]

I have a ton of .40 brass lying around. Every time I think about reloading some of it, I read stories like this and change my mind :ow:

[ron b]

Why hasn't anyone jumped in and say "I'll take it off of you hands" or "Send me a standard weight box full and I will even pay the shipping"?

By the way, I will take some if you are giving it away.

Ron

[Clark]

The first question is "Was brass failure the primary failure?"
If yes, the the second question is "Was brass failure caused by worn out brass or unusually high pressure?", assuming an XDM will not fire out of battery.
If it was high pressure, then you consider the powder charge, the bullet, and the seating.

[Glock G20]

Something else I didnt think of, I know Ive seen it where there is some odd bullet in a batch, I wonder if a 180gr bullet might have slipped into his box of 165's

was thinkin the same thing. I caught a 180grn boolit in a box of 1k 165's I had for the 10mm. not good. a 165 in a box of 180's wouldn't be as bad, still not good tho.

1st time out of the k's & k's of boolits i've been thru

[fredj338]

I also doubt a dbl. unless the guy was completely not paying attention. 5gr of WST fills about half the case. A 180gr bullet on that charge w/ a setback or deep seated could have done it. Just another reason I like med. burners in the 40. WSF & Unique are great performers in the 40 w/ more wiggle room pressure wise.

[ronterry]

This is why every pull of the handle I'm staring at my powder indicator. No ands-its-or buts!