I wonder what would have happened

[greytdanehouse]

I'll start by saying I'm glad I trust my process and stick to it. I weigh each powder charge, but then I weigh the loaded round to make sure it's in the right ball park. For example, a .223 green tip round should weigh somewhere between 180 and 190 grains, (95+24+62) depending on the case. Not looking for anything more than just a final check to make sure my old memory didn't flake out and somehow load a squib since I'm running a four stage progressive.

This particular round only showed about 150 grains, which made no sense. I could hear the powder charge when I shook it next to my ear, but something was clearly amiss.
Pulled it apart and sure enough, 24.5 grains of powder. but if you look close, you can see that there is no lead core. It sticks to the magnet so the penetrator is definitely in there.

I'm not sure what would have happened if I had touched off a 30 grain projectile with 24.5 grains of H335 in a rifle, but I can't believe it would have been anything good. No particular desire to find out either. I have loaded thousands of these and have never seen an SS109 projectile missing the lead core. I suppose you do something long enough, you'll see just about everything.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

I'll start by saying I'm glad I trust my process and stick to it. I weigh each powder charge, but then I weigh the loaded round to make sure it's in the right ball park. For example, a .223 green tip round should weigh somewhere between 180 and 190 grains, (95+24+62) depending on the case. Not looking for anything more than just a final check to make sure my old memory didn't flake out and somehow load a squib since I'm running a four stage progressive.

This particular round only showed about 150 grains, which made no sense. I could hear the powder charge when I shook it next to my ear, but something was clearly amiss.
Pulled it apart and sure enough, 24.5 grains of powder. but if you look close, you can see that there is no lead core. It sticks to the magnet so the penetrator is definitely in there.

I'm not sure what would have happened if I had touched off a 130 grain projectile with 24.5 grains of H335 in a rifle, but I can't believe it would have been anything good. No particular desire to find out either. I have loaded thousands of these and have never seen an SS109 projectile missing the lead core. I suppose you do something long enough, you'll see just about everything.

Great catch!

I am not following everything. It appears you are loading 62 grain bullets but say one weighs 130 grains but missing lead core?

 

[greytdanehouse]

Great catch!

I am not following everything. It appears you are loading 62 grain bullets but say one weighs 130 grains but missing lead core?

The total cartridge weight was 150 grains and the actual projectile itself was only about 30 grains.

 

[Rustygun]

If your bullet weight is less than expected, I would think the gun would fire without problems but chamber pressures would be lower. I might be missing something here but I think As long as the bullet diameter was correct there should be little chance in damage to the firearm.

I have never weighed finished rounds because there are so manny variations and you have stacking tolerances (brass can be heavier or lighter, bullet weight can vary up or down etc). Results could vary widely based just on differences in the brass. Brass base and wall thickness would have little or no impact on the performance of the rounds.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

The total cartridge weight was 150 grains and the actual projectile itself was only about 30 grains.

That is what I was thinking. You have a typo in first post.

I agree with the other fella.

 

[Moparman485]

the only risk of a "bad issue" would have been if that round didn't have sufficient "oomph" to clear the bore, and then you fired another round behind it into the now obstructed barrel. Other than that, the only foreseeable issues with firing a drastically lighter projo with a charge meant for a heavier one is cycling issues, accuracy issues, or POI shift.

Either way, good catch!

 

[SPDguns]

Good catch!

 

[turkeyrun]

Lighter bullet is no big deal. Accuracy would have been who knows where.

When shooting a bullet weight not listed (can be fairly common with cast), use a listed load for a heavier bullet.

My cowboy action loads are light bullets.
For example, .357 loads have been with 102 gr, 95 gr, and as low as 85 gr.

 

[Camo]

Should have fired fine and been safe but good on you for sticking to your process. Deviations are how accidents happen.