Bad expeience with Blazer 357 mag.!!

[cleveland48]

My uncle just died and left me a colt python in 357.  He also had several boxes of shells for it, including a box of black talons.  Which I didn't know they even made these in lthis caliber, I've only seen them in 44mag.  Anyways I took some blazer 158gr. the ones with the aluminum looking brass, too try out today.  The first 2 shots went fine, then the third shot blew stuff in mine and my girlfriends face.  I started looking the gun over, and the brass looks fine.  Then I look in the barrel and there the bullet was, stuck about 1 inch into the 4 inch barrel.  Any of you guys had this happen before?  Don't know if the powder was bad or what.

[Tom C.]

Sounds like a squib. Tend not to see these things with factory loads. Good thing you didn't fire another shot with the bullet in the barrel. KB would destroy a nice Python.

[blhof]

Jacketed ammo is a bear to get from a barrel, best to have a smith do it.  I've had a few squibs with my reloads; but they were cast and a bore size wooden dowel and a hammer would back them out easily.

[cleveland48]

I havn't had a chance to get some dies for the 357 yet, but when I do i'm gonna just shoot cast bullets.  Any of you have some good choices for me?  They won't be loaded hot, just somewhere   between 38 sp and 357.  Just dont won't to feed it a steady diet of full power loads.  I'd like for it to be around for my kids some day.  I figured it was just a bad shell, and I'm glad I checked the barrel before I pulled the trigger again.  If I would have blew that gun up I would have been heart broken, since I've had a thing for it since I was 15.

[clum sum]

 Used this ammo in a Rossi 92 the only problem was case seperation, never used it again.

[cleveland48]

I've used this ammunition before, but not in this caliber.  I'm sure I won't be buying anymore.  I've never had any problems out of the blazer brass ammunition.

[Savage]

Back a couple of years ago, Blazer aluminum was selling for $80 per k in 9mm. I bought 6k of the stuff and shut down my 9mm loading operation for a while. No problems with the lot. I'd still be shooting them today if they were $80 per k! Sadly those days are gone, it's back to cranking out reloads in all my spare time.
Be sure and take pictures and contact CCI and let them know what happened. They will probablly want to make it right. CCI produces a good product, but I guess now and then one slips by. Glad you and the gun were uninjured.
Savage

[cleveland48]

I'm not going contact cci, I figured it was because they were old.  But I appreciate your concerns savage.  Also yesterday I dug out some more of his old shells, this time they were UMC 158gr. They are in yellow box don't know how old they are.  But several of them split half way down the case when i shot them. I checked my cylinder and nothing was wrong with it.  Could it be because these shells are old?

[Savage]

cleveland48,
Ammo properly stored will last several lifetimes. It could be that the ammo was stored in a humid area subject to large temperature fluctuations. At least that's what it sounds like to me. Shoot the gun with some fresh ammo and see if the cases look normal. If new cases split on the first firing, have the gun checked by a gunsmith, I doubt that there is a problem with your Colt, they are a beautiful, well made revolver.  It probably wouldn't hurt to give it a good cleaning before you try the fresh stuff. Never owned one, but always admired the old Pythons!!
Savage

[williamlayton]

Blaser has never had a reputation for quality ammo and is banned from use in the indoor range near me.
They have a .38 on display under the sign banning this ammo. The weapon was completely destroyed from this ammo.
Blessings

[cleveland48]

Thanks for the advice savage.  It was kept under a bed in a plastic box.  Don't know if this would be subject to humidity changes or not.  I've got it cleaned up real nice, and I've checked the cylinder and nothing seems out of place.  Going to just go ahead and get some hornady or something that cost a little more, but that i've used before.  I'm working on a set of dies now, but i'm gonna make sure that was the ammo instead of the gun before I get all of the reloading equipment.

[Mikey]

cleveland48 - I think you managed to get your hands on some poor quality ammo.  I have never had a problem with the Blazer ammo but have only shot small quantities so I can't really qualify the entire line. 

Savage is right - this stuff should have lasted much longer.  The UMC ammo in the yellow box may not be that old but UMC ammo is not first quality.  I've had split cases with some of the UMC ammo before and don't use it any longer.

I would just get a box of Winchester or Remington 357 - 158 gn loads for that Python - that's what they were made for, and you should not have any problems. 

If you are going to reload later on I would use 357 brass to avoid 'ringing' your chambers and just load for mid-range.  Mikey.

[cleveland48]

Thanks for the advice Mikey.  I got some Magtech 158 gr. and they worked fine the other day.

[357magrifleman]

Strange, but the instructions for my 357 marlin recommended not using blazer ammo

[Tom C.]

Strange, but the instructions for my 357 marlin recommended not using blazer ammo

That may be due to the lack of an extractor groove in the case and a small rim. I have tried .357 Blazer in my Marlin 1894C and it worked fine.

I sometimes use the Blazer when I don't feel like reloading. It has worked fine in my guns. In .357 it seems to be loaded down a bit. This may be due to limitations in pressure capabilities of the aluminum cases.

[S.B.]

Take a brass rod(range rod) longer than your barrel and insert it in the muzzle end and with a hammer, pound the bullet backwards into the open cylinder window.
Steve

[greenjeans]

The spent casings that came with my Glock 22, .40 cal. were Blazer aluminum, so Glock must use it to test fire.