Comments on: Pistol Powder in a Rifle Cartridge — The Handloader’s Nightmare

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 09 May 2016 13:22:42 +0000

I have to second or third what others have said about leaving the bottle out and triple checking the load. I would disagree with the contention that the labels look alike and that was the cause. I don’t think they look near enough alike to be a danger, complacency is the danger! I am guilty of it too! I have a S&W Model 14-3 sitting in the safe with 6 bullets stuck in the barrel because I got lazy checking what my measure was throwing. I could have it fixed easily, but have left it as a reminder of my stupidity!

By: Serge Leduc

Serge Leduc — Thu, 05 May 2016 00:48:13 +0000

Thanks for sharing your story it could help avoiding injuries or worst… heal back fast !

By: Digger

Digger — Wed, 04 May 2016 08:11:20 +0000

This is one of the reasons why I have separate press areas for rifle and pistol reloading (i.e. brass, bullets, primers, powders, dies, presses, etc. are all together in their respective areas).

Thank God is wasn’t any worse. 41grs…yikes!

By: ken hunter

ken hunter — Tue, 03 May 2016 14:23:21 +0000

Yup, one powder ONLY on the bench.
To me it seems hard to confuse the powders, the names are large and contrasting.

How about IMR’s with just numbers?

By: hiwayman

hiwayman — Tue, 03 May 2016 04:15:44 +0000

One of the reasons i keep my powder lined up on my storage shelf from fast burning on left to slow burning on right. Several powders between tite group and varget. I know bad things can happen to anybody, but I always check the label twice before putting in measure and keep one bottle at a time on the bench and right by the measure during a session. I also NEVER leave powder in the measure, even if I plan on coming back in an hour or two.Just glad you are alive, not blind and still have both hands!!

By: Intel6

Intel6 — Mon, 02 May 2016 23:29:48 +0000

I also like to add a label or use a silver sharpie to mark the top cap of the powder containers because you tend to look at it as you open the top and it is another check.

By: DevilDoc

DevilDoc — Mon, 02 May 2016 20:19:57 +0000

Great points all around gentlemen. I agree with STW. I too keep my powder bottle on my work area to have another reminder. I also have been lucky to have my rifle powders all be stick powder any my pistol powders be all ball type. This may not always be the case, but it is another method I use to double check.

By: STW

STW — Mon, 02 May 2016 19:33:30 +0000

This is (partly) why the bottle for whatever powder is in the measure is left on the bench, sorta in the way. If I read the label wrong the first time moving the bottle out of my way regularly may force me to read it a second or third time until I get it right.

By: KRETSINGER. Victor H.

KRETSINGER. Victor H. — Mon, 02 May 2016 15:52:45 +0000

Powder Manufactures. Use the Braille system for your containers. Square for one type powder (Rifle or Pistol) and round for another (the opposite use powder).
Yes I know some powders can go both ways. This just might help grabbing the wrong can/bottle/jug/container etc (to be politically correct).

By: David Joe

David Joe — Mon, 02 May 2016 14:53:32 +0000

Between this and the Bulletin photos of a Savage .338 Lapua magnum fired with a cleaning rod in the barrel at a Florida gun range, credit Savage for a design that kept both shooters alive. That bolt and its face are intact, and thanks to the secured bolt knob, it didn’t drive rearward when the action’s front split apart, releasing its contact on the bolt lugs. Then again, we don’t know what is not reported, and these could just be two of the luckiest shooters around. But, a strong bolt handle, ideally one milled into the bolt from a single billet, but also Savage’s ringed design, is your face’s final safeguard, and who has ever seen one of these fall off from a shooter’s mallet abuse.