Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Scratching my head trying to figure this one out.

I think I would want to get someone to check out that powder. Weird stuff happens, but for the most part there is a reason it happens. It seems to me that the powder(either type of powder or the amount of powder) would be the only component that could make that much of a difference.

To me, the easiest mistake to make, that is associated with loading powder, is an attempted double charge. I always take a look once the cases are charged to see if the levels are the same before seating the bullets. I don't know a thing about a 204, will a 204 case even take a double 29gr charge without spilling all over the pace. My guess is that it would not and an attempt to double charge would be an obvious mess. I just wonder if he has the right powder in the can. Didn't buy the can of powder "new" at a gun show did he?

I wasn't aware they were making a CFE Pistol powder. I took a look at the canisters and if someone wasn't pay enough attention it is easy to see how they could be confused, this seems like a real recipe for disaster.

drover

Gotta be a powder switch issue to cause that kind of carnage. Glad everyone's OK! It could have easily been much worse. I'm afraid that would end my rifle "career."

There's no way to double charge the 204. You can put a couple of grains more than you should, but no double charge. The guy is a good reloader. He even has two scales, an older manual 10-10 I believe and an electric. When he pulled the bullets on the remaining rounds to check the powder charge he used both scales to double check and the load was 29 grains. The more I think about it the only thing that I keep coming up with is something with the powder. How long has CFE 223 been on the shelves? Anyone hear of other problems when CFE 223 has been involved? Big Redhead, he too has mentioned that his rifle days may be over. Thanks goes out to all of you guys for trying to piece this puzzle together, it's appreciated. RRM

Could there have been a small amount of a different powder left in the hopper from a previous reloading session? The bottom, non-translucent part of it could easily hide a decent amount of a fast burning pistol powder if one wasn't being careful. An accidental duplex load of pistol and rifle powder?

Dump in CFE 223 without properly checking for a small amount of remaining powder, drop a measured 29 grains and seat a bullet. All rounds are normal, sans the first one. Said duplex load gets shot on the 2nd round and chaos ensues.

To me, that would explain why the first shot was fine and why all pulled loads showed what appears to be 29 grains of CFE 223.

The bottom of a powder hopper could easily hide 10 grains of Bullseye, etc.

Very plausible explanation. That is the kind of thing I mentioned. I don't doubt the guy is a "good reloader", no slight intended. But "doo-doo occurs."

Just a ? Did he actually pull the trigger on the 2d round - or did it go off on chambering ?(a high primer situation)

No, he pulled the trigger and he always uses a powder trickler when he reloads rifle cartridges so there is no way another powder was involved. He told me the other night that Ruger now has the rifle, but they have not gotten back with him on their findings yet. RRM

Does ruger service still take the whole month of August off? it may be a while till he hears from them......