6 x 284 bad powder explosion

[DickE]

New old powder(H4831sc) first time use, after sitting on shelf for around 15 years. Didn't know what the powder suppose to look like, didn't smell it either(bad). Happened to a close friend of mine about 2 months ago. Many facial cuts and bruises, pierced both ear drums. Shot it out pickup drivers seat(left handed), shrapnel shattered passenger side window. Pulled bullets out of other loaded ammo, and bottle, powder looked like a combination of BL-C2 and pepper. Vortex did warranty the scope.

 

[TAJ45]

That was sheer carnage. You didn't mention his eyes....hope he was protected.
Sounds like he got off light.

 

[K22]

Thanks for posting. Always good to re-focus - helps to be aware of potential hazards.

The only time I ever saw a firearm blow up was during an NRA pistol match, center fire match, rapid fire stage. The guy next to me blew up a 1911, 45 ACP. It blew the magazine out, cracked the stocks in half, and bulged the barrel locking the slide. The only thing we could figure is that he had a squib load that lodged a bullet in the barrel but was enough to work the target action spring and he shot another round on top of it. No one was hurt but the custom 1911 was destroyed.

 

[hpshooter]

Thanks for posting. Always good to re-focus - helps to be aware of potential hazards.

The only time I ever saw a firearm blow up was during an NRA pistol match, center fire match, rapid fire stage. The guy next to me blew up a 1911, 45 ACP. It blew the magazine out, cracked the stocks in half, and bulged the barrel locking the slide. The only thing we could figure is that he had a squib load that lodged a bullet in the barrel but was enough to work the target action spring and he shot another round on top of it. No one was hurt but the custom 1911 was destroyed.

I have a bulged Barstow 1911 .45ACP barrel that this very thing happened to a shooting buddy during a USPSA match. Was definitely a squib, shooter "cleared" the gun and fired the follow up round before the RO could react and stop him.

DickE's buddy was very lucky, lots of shrapnel was flying around the cab of that truck.

 

[CJ6]

View attachment 1560189View attachment 1560190View attachment 1560191New old powder(H4831sc) first time use, after sitting on shelf for around 15 years. Didn't know what the powder suppose to look like, didn't smell it either(bad). Happened to a close friend of mine about 2 months ago. Many facial cuts and bruises, pierced both ear drums. Shot it out pickup drivers seat(left handed), shrapnel shattered passenger side window. Pulled bullets out of other loaded ammo, and bottle, powder looked like a combination of BL-C2 and pepper. Vortex did warranty the scope.

Sorry for your friends injuries (he's lucky).
Why is he loading anything if he doesn't know
what the powder is supposed to look like.
It sounds like there was a combination of different powders in that ( NEW) powder jug, maybe it was at one time used as a "junk" jug and was never labeled as such. Maybe a combination of pistol/shotgun/rifle powders.

 

[jds holler]

Vortex did warranty the scope

Gotta love that Vortex warranty. jd

 

[jds holler]

Pulled bullets out of other loaded ammo, and bottle, powder looked like a combination of BL-C2 and pepper.

Sounds pretty much like a straight up case of wrong powder. I can't envision a case where 4831SC would break down to look like that.

That was SOME KIND of bomb, and he's a lucky guy to have not been tore up worse, or blinded. jd

 

[DiffEQ]

So you're saying the powder was spherical, and with carbon dust? It might have been 4831SC at one point, but that's what you get with lots of hot & cold cycles and plenty of vibration, [ETA, like the vibratory tumbler affected it]. You'll see it in surplus powder, [ETA, though I've never seen kernel size so dramatically altered].

Stick powder burn characteristics can change drastically when you modify the kernel dimensions.

Or, if your friend bought it off someone else, he should be headed over there with an attitude.

 

[DickE]

That was sheer carnage. You didn't mention his eyes....hope he was protected.
Sounds like he got off light.

No eye problems. I told him for having bad luck, he was very lucky. spent 6 hrs in emergency room.

 

[DickE]

He had a hooded sweatshirt, and a thick wool jacket on at the time. His wife is a nurse(good thing).
He never used H4831sc before. Said he bought it in Montana about 15 years ago, when they went to a wedding there.

 

[jds holler]

I was trying to remember if H4831SC had even been invented 15 years ago. jd

 

[jds holler]

It's good that he's gonna be OK. Has enough time gone by for you to ask him if he got the coyote?? jd

 

[jpjulian]

I've seen a few rifles blow up and had a bit of an episode myself, but, THAT is the worst blow up I have ever seen. Damn---- Your friend is lucky to be alive. Glad Vortex warranted the scope but in the grand scope of things, (pun intended), who cares. Skin & bones are way more important.

 

[RegionRat]

Wow! Speedy Recovery to your friend.
Very glad that story had a decent ending cause it looks like it could have gone way worse.
Here is another case of count your blessings.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

View attachment 1560189View attachment 1560190View attachment 1560191New old powder(H4831sc) first time use, after sitting on shelf for around 15 years. Didn't know what the powder suppose to look like, didn't smell it either(bad). Happened to a close friend of mine about 2 months ago. Many facial cuts and bruises, pierced both ear drums. Shot it out pickup drivers seat(left handed), shrapnel shattered passenger side window. Pulled bullets out of other loaded ammo, and bottle, powder looked like a combination of BL-C2 and pepper. Vortex did warranty the scope.

was the bottle sealed? or did it still have a good seal??

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Glad he’s okay. There’s got to be more to the story than just the 4831 being bad.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

View attachment 1560189View attachment 1560190View attachment 1560191New old powder(H4831sc) first time use, after sitting on shelf for around 15 years. Didn't know what the powder suppose to look like, didn't smell it either(bad). Happened to a close friend of mine about 2 months ago. Many facial cuts and bruises, pierced both ear drums. Shot it out pickup drivers seat(left handed), shrapnel shattered passenger side window. Pulled bullets out of other loaded ammo, and bottle, powder looked like a combination of BL-C2 and pepper. Vortex did warranty the scope.

that looks like a Sako receiver

 

[6.5 forever]

I was trying to remember if H4831SC had even been invented 15 years ago. jd

Hope somebody can find out.

 

[spclark]

Hope somebody can find out.

I'm no authority but if memory serves, 15 years ago (2009) was maybe about the time 4831SC was introduced.

My take on this incident has me suspicious of the labeled bottle being the original packaging; I still have propellants from before that date that show no signs of deterioration whatsoever (odd smell, change in coloration, change in appearance of particles) but I've stored them all very carefully since I acquired them.

I'd certainly look to Hodgdon for an answer as to the age of the bottle; at minimum, they might be interested in knowing more about the product inside which could be illuminating for all involved.

 

[boltfluter]

Amazing how that receiver split at the rear bridge! Pure luck that the bolt stayed in place. Your friend is very lucky to limp away from this bomb. Maybe time for a refresher course in basic reloading skills. Or quite while he is ahead.