Don't mix up your powder!

[BobT]

If you are squeamish stop at the 2nd. picture, I thought the Savage rifle came through pretty well given the circumstances.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=553905

Bob

[wbm]

OUCH! Well at least he survived.

[barrel-nut]

OUCH!!
I have a hard and fast rule when reloading. Only one can of powder out of the cabinet and on the bench at one time. Never two. I realize this may not have helped in this man's situation. But I always double, even triple-check the correct powder, and charge, is being used. Not to say an accident couldn't happen. All it takes is one moment of distraction.

[olddav]

Reloading is a demanding hobby where seemingly small errors can yield big pentalties. Oh yea, none of us are immune!
Be safe!

[LHitchcox]

Whichever powder I am using is kept behind the measure. All others are on the shelf.

[rjtfroggy]

And this is why I decided many many moons ago to use one powder for everything I load. Contrary to others need for speed I go strictly for accuracy, find the load, find the seating depth and enjoy.
I load for 8 different rounds at the moment and powder of choice IMR 4895. Not the fastest but can get real good accuracy for all of my rifles out to 200 which is as far as my club allows.

[David R]

I did it once. I was loading lead gas checked bullets and jacketed in my 22-250. 296 and 748.

I got sprayed in the face with powder. Chronograph read about 4100.

The bolt would not open. I used a block of wood and a mallet to open the bolt. The handle broke off.

It was a new Remington 700 VL. I ended up sending the gun to remington. I also sent a letter telling what I did to the gun.

They replaced the bolt and barrel. No charge.

Still shooting that rifle. I did get a 5.5" group at 300 yards with the cast bullets and that rifle with the new barrel.



Yes, only one can of powder on the bench. The rest is put away.

[Texas Solo]

I take the step in these pics top avoid such mishaps. Hopefully this will help others.

[Steelhead]

Wow!

Whichever powder I am using is kept behind the measure. All others are on the shelf.

This is what I do also.

[olddav]

Just a word of warning. Unless I'm mistaken he only had one can of powder out at the time too, it was just the wrong powder.

[tomme boy]

Hey thats what the accu stock looks like with out the plastic.

[psharon97]

One of the best practices to prevent this is to keep one powder on the bench at a time. Even better is to separate your rifle powders from your pistol powder. I refuse to use pistol powder in my rifles, too much of a risk of double charging.