is this bad brass?

Can somebody help me out here, these were light loads with titegroup and 185gr. bullets I loaded for plinking, blew my 1911 magazine apart? I want to chalk it up as faulty brass but...

looks like a over pressure to me. look at how the primer flowed.

I loaded them at 5.2 grains (I think, can't find my book) but damn! I'm new to the handgun side of loading, never had a problem like this with my rifle loads...

I agree, high pressure. Rifle powders tend to be much bulkier than most pistol powders making it far easier to over load a pistol cartridge. You could easily double charge larger pistol cartridges without filling the case to the top. If it were me, I would pull the bullets on the remaining rounds, dump the powder and start over. Glad you weren't hurt.

Yep, I think thats what I'm going to have to do. Thanks guys!

I'm with the double charge group. You got lucky.

Definitely over pressure.

WOW....yeah, that has nothing to do with brass and everything with you being lucky.

The big question is.....




How is the 1911?

Yes, over pressure for sure. If the brass was bad, it would have separated slightly, but it blew out a whole area.

#1- What is your method for charging cases?

#2- since it blew out a large area, it almost looks like the round was fired out of battery. Normally you don't get that much material missing unless it has somewhere to go.

Titegroup is a very fast burning powder. I'm showing 5.2 grains with a 185 is right in the middle of min/max. So, if the case was charged properly, the load SHOULD be good. But not sure 100% on what caused it.

If your using a powder thrower or some other mechanical device other than weighing each charge individually I would suggest more attention to that. I tried using a thrower before and always found them to be pretty inconsistent. With a powder charge that small slight variations could mean a great deal.

If using a auto powder throw I would suggest using a powder cop die after it. When loading bulk I use my auto powder measure, but when loading for accuracy I load using my auto powder scale.

I have had excellent luck with precision on my UniqueTek Micrometer powder bar.

Overload or bullet pushed back in the case while feeding from mag. Proper neck tension and crimp?

Yes, that.

+1

I had a small chunk blown out of a .40 S&W fired from a Glock once. These were bulk reloads bought at a gun show and I suspected overcharge. Magazine ejected, louder noise, and more recoil. But nothing like the hole in that case. Glad you're ok.

The 1911 is fine, I took it apart threw it in the case....we're not talking. Anyway, it blew the magazine base and spring out and I got a few pieces of brass on my nose and saftey glasses. I load with a scale, the machines are nice but I don't load enough to justify the cost. Maybe it's time for a better scale. Like you said Chad it's right in the middle, I thought that'll work for paper poking bullets... they were shooting great till then!

Canker you should also consider auditing each round as you pull the bullets. Weigh each charge again, check for coal, etc to help you determine what may have gone wrong. There was a reason. See if you can find it.

The feed ramp was all buggered up like it was feeding empty brass....not sure what thats all about.