Explosion while reloading smokeless powder

[6ShotsOr5?]

Three year old thread, nothing new to see here

 

[Rocketvapor]

I missed it the first time around.

 

[rwj]

Three year old thread, nothing new to see here

Now there’s a completed ATF investigation to review.

A more interesting aspect to many forum members who also hand load is did the home owners policy pay the property owners? That info is not likely in the public domain like the ATF report.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Is the guy still reloading?

 

[Dimner]

I think everyone here has probably tried the "I have little flecks of miscellaneous powder on the bench, I'll gather them and light them outside" experiment.
Without a way to build pressure in a closed container, it just fizzles.

exactly... no way this could have happened.

I'm guessing that this was something else and we have the 'witness' trying to cover his ass. Also... FLORIDA.

 

[358WCF]

 

[358WCF]

 

[M-61]

I prefer Google to any ATF report or alleged test. Question: Does smokeless powder explode?”:

“A particularly good feature of the propellant is that it will not detonate unless it is compressed, making it very safe to handle under normal conditions.”

 

[C_Ackley]

I mean no disrespect to those citing the ATF. One must remember that they have an administration-directed(and dependent) interest in the classification of smokeless powder as that would grant them greater or lesser authority to regulate it.
They, have in the past, been guilty of creating unrealistic or non-representative testing conditions in order to further a particular narrative, a particular prosecution, or even worse an aggressive enforcement action.

 

[Flouncer]

I prefer Google to any ATF report or alleged test. Question: Does smokeless powder explode?”:

“A particularly good feature of the propellant is that it will not detonate unless it is compressed, making it very safe to handle under normal conditions.”

Wut ? My 38 Special loads are compressed ?

 

[M-61]

Wut ? My 38 Special loads are compressed ?

I would have preferred “ contained” , but as you see it’s a quote.

 

[Flouncer]

Is powder in a 1-lb or 8-lb factory jug considered loose or confined ? The containers are about 3/4 to 7/8 full when new.

 

[M-61]

Is powder in a 1-lb or 8-lb factory jug considered loose or confined ? The containers are about 3/4 to 7/8 full when new.

The stronger the “ container “ the more the burning powder will build the pressure until the container fails. (Pipe bomb).I don’t mean a brass tube slightly larger than the ‘plug’ ( bullet) in its end. I guess you could somehow close the end of a cartridge case ( not a bullet) fire it and see what 52,000 psi does to the chamber or the bolt lugs. A powder container be it plastic or the thin metal of years ago is a container of course but so is a paper bag.
Bottom line smokeless powder burns it does not explode. Explosions are instantaneous, burning, somewhat slower.

 

[M-61]

Definition:
Flammable refers to, specifically, a substance that easily ignites at or below room temperature, i.e. 73° F (~23° C). Explosive detonates, as in it burns at a rate in excess of the speed of sound.

 

[243winxb]

Setting off a primer by accident , using a progressive press, has been the cause of the most dangerous events. Explosions & fire.

https://www.firearmsid.com/Feature Articles/McCord_gunpowder/
The Manufacture of Smokeless Powders and their
Forensic Analysis: A Brief Review

 

[M-61]

Explosives detonate they don't burn. A shock wave going threw the explosive basically sets it all off at once. Explosive shock waves can travel as fast as 20,000 fps.

I know that and did a piss poor job in my explanation.
Napalm tanks are fused front and rear. The fuse (explosive) is screwed into a molded core of white phosphorus which is screwed into the tank nose and tail ( very crude threads) The instant explosion ignites and blows the burning white phosphorus
( aka Willy Peter) through the entire tank of napalm creating the instant flaming gel.
No one is really interested in this crap but I state it to show I actually know what an explosion is versus burning. I could go into booby traps in great detail but it would ’kill’ the post.
ie: Alfred Herrhausen

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I agree that it's hard to imagine but I believe it. Unfortunately, I know someone that had a similar experience while loading. He's fine now and a heck of a shooter and guy but same kinda deal. Blew his garage door out and I think he said knocked him out for a second. He got some pretty bad burns but it could of been a lot worse. He's on here so if he sees this, he might reply. If not, I guess he doesn't want to relive it but we take things for granted with reloading when things can happen that are unlikely, but not impossible.

 

[Rocketvapor]

The "6 pounds of powder nearby" was in a single 8 lb jug or 6 individual jugs?
One going off (rapid burning) could conceivably sympathetically detonate the others sitting close by.
This sounds like carelessness in handling powder just too close to priming cases.
Maybe one primer, set off other loose primers setting off powder, setting off more powder.

 

[rayporter]

they show a picture of six empty plastic powder bottlers from after the event.

 

[Fclassfool]

My friends house burned he lost probably 40lbs of powder no explosion but his ammo cooked off for about an hour