Ka-boooom and stumped

[Jerryr98]

I too had similar issues with H110 in my Remington 700 300/221. Not to the extremes seen here but I sure did get an eye opener and after 25 years of handloading....I am lost. I followed Sierra's loading data of 10.7grs of H110 behind a 200gr SMK. This is a low end starting load. Had 50 rounds loaded. Had fired forty of them over the course of a week and then BOOM. Why have the others worked out so good and then the mishap? I weigh each load to the 1/10 of one grain. Did I screw up and over/under charge a case? No, I pulled the bullets on the remaing rounds and weighed each charge only to find that each charge was exactly 10.7grs of H110. Was temp an issue? Don't think that was an issues as daily temps were 65 to 70 degrees. What gives? If this is symptoms of SEE then I will not use this powder again for I intend on a lower charge in an attempt to get in the 1000 -1050fops range for subsonic use. I also have AA # 9, AA1680, AA 2015 and VV N110 to play with also. The H110 has me gun shy to say the least.

Jerryr98

[alpine44]

Hi Jerryr98, I am glad to see your post. I thought I was loosing it on the reloading bench.

I would not worry with a Remington 700. That action was designed for much (!) higher loads. The AR15 'mouse gun' is a different story.

For 300/221 supersonics I switched to WC297 surplus powder that is supposed to be slower that H110/W296. My initial results were slightly more speed, better cycling, and more consistency. I am going to clock a larger batch soon and will post the results.

For subsonic loads, faster powders (like 2400) would be better.

[HUNTER2]

Have been using H-110 in the 300-221 in bolt and single shot rifles for a few years now. Never had a problem with any loads. Have came close to short charging a couple of times - that could be a problem.

[Scalce]

H110 may be the cause but couldn't it also be a cooincidence since it is such a common powder used in 300 Whisper-300/221 and you are more likely to have a major issue like a blowout due to a slight reloading error or variation that may not be the case like in a standard SAAMI load?

I mean this is a Wildcat, using heavy bullets, fast powder, and chambers which can differ based on alot of factors.

I am not saying the reloaders who have had kabooms are not experienced or that it is even their fault, as it may be the powder, but everyone makes mistakes and it seems like this catridge has some challenges.

I'm sorry but weighing the charges in the cases that you have left over does not prove anything about the charge that was in the catridge that blew up.

[FrankL]

I know this is an old thread, but I am new to the forum, and I am trying to catch up on some reading and learn a lot. I did not see any reference to the brass thickness at the neck. I don't know the history of the brass, but would it be possible to have excessive thickness cause a very tight release of the bullet, resulting in excessive pressure?

Thanks for the consideration.

Frank

[Tokarev]

Originally Posted by alpine44

Hi Jerryr98, I am glad to see your post. I thought I was loosing it on the reloading bench.

I would not worry with a Remington 700. That action was designed for much (!) higher loads. The AR15 'mouse gun' is a different story.

For 300/221 supersonics I switched to WC297 surplus powder that is supposed to be slower that H110/W296. My initial results were slightly more speed, better cycling, and more consistency. I am going to clock a larger batch soon and will post the results.

For subsonic loads, faster powders (like 2400) would be better.

Can you share some supersonic WC297 data, please?