gcrank:
Thanks for the added info and clarification above!
CW:
Thank you too for the info on ringing. I've always been worried about it in my BC 45-70. I usually use polyfiber wads with my loads of 2400 since it's not a very bulky powder. I can use IMR 4198 but that powder isn't as accurate with the particular load. I suppose I can search and play around with more powders.
As to your comments about old black powder cartridges being used with fast, non-bulky smokeless powders; I couldn't agree more to all on your words of caution. Typically, when I load large volume cartridges such as the 45-70 with a non bulky powder, I do some measuring. How do I do this??
I'll take a cartridge, say a 45-70, and measure and mark exactly where the base of the bullet will be once seated. Then I'll fill the cartridge with my desired load of whatever powder I'm using. I then take an unfolded paper clip in which I've bent the end into an "L" shape (almost hook-like). With the cartridge held vertical, the charge of powder level, and with ample lighting, I'll slowly move the paper clip down into the cartridge until I visually see the bottom of the "L" shape touch the powder. Holding the paper clip exactly at that place, I mark the paper clip as to where the end of the cartridge mouth is, hence, marking the depth of the powder in the cartridge. From there I determine the distance between the seated bullet and the top of the charge. If the powder is NOT more than 50% of the remaining volume of the cartridge AFTER the bullet is seated, I don't use the load and search for other data OR I have been using the fiber wads, which maybe I'll stop doing so.
Anyway, I hope that made sense. The way I see it, if the remaining space in a cartridge (after a bullet is seated) is less than 50% filled, then when the cartridge is laying in the horizontal plane as when chambered and ready to fire, it is highly likely that the primer flash hole is even with or above the powder charge and a BAD recipe for powder detonation.
Tim, thanks for posting those links. There is enough there to scare the bajeezes out of all of us and prevent us from getting sloppy or careless at the loading bench, that's for sure!
In the second link, it is mentioned that the problem could have been a double charge. Being a 45 ACP, I just don't see that as being the case. While a double charge in such a small cartridge could bring on some incredible pressure, I just don't think that one round like that could do it. Additionally, I'd imagine that 11 grains of any powder would overflow the case of a 45 ACP and be easily seen by the loader. I tend to think that the author is incorrect and that this was probably an under charge.
As listed in the link, the intended charge was 5.5 grains. It is very easy to have a progressive loader mischarge a load, especially if perhaps powder baffles are not in place etc. I don't know off hand what the minimum load for Universal is in a 45, but I can't imagine it being much more than a grain or so less. With small charges, it is very easy to make a VERY large percentage of error in a load yet only being a half a grain off from a target load. This is one reason why I've stopped using progressive loading on my loader and I actually weigh each and every charge. It takes me a longer time to load but I know exactly what is going in every one of my loads, as opposed to the old days when I was going progressive. Some of you may not agree with me on the point of progressive loading but to me, when it comes to safety, I tend to stick with taking my time and measuring everything out. In my mind, guns can be replaced but heads, eyes, hands, and other body parts cant be.