Elmer Keith's ka-BOOM

Published on July 16, 2015
Duration: 4:40

This video details Elmer Keith's infamous 'ka-BOOM' incident involving a Colt Single Action Army revolver and hot handloads. The failure was caused by using oversized .45-70 bullets in a .45 Colt chamber, leading to catastrophic pressure spikes. This event, however, spurred Keith's experimentation with .44 Special, ultimately contributing to the development of the .44 Magnum cartridge.

Quick Summary

Elmer Keith's Colt Single Action Army exploded due to using oversized .45-70 bullets (.458 diameter) in .45 Colt (.454 diameter) handloads, causing dangerous pressure spikes. This incident spurred his work on the .44 Special, leading to the development of the .44 Magnum.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Elmer Keith
  2. 00:57The 'ka-BOOM' Incident Explained
  3. 02:46Technical Failure and Legacy

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused Elmer Keith's Single Action Army revolver to explode?

Elmer Keith's Colt Single Action Army exploded because he used oversized .45-70 bullets (diameter .458) in his .45 Colt (.454 diameter) handloads. This mismatch created extreme pressure spikes that blew the top off the cylinder.

How did Elmer Keith's gun explosion influence firearm development?

The catastrophic failure of his .45 Colt, caused by handload issues, prompted Keith to experiment with the .44 Special cartridge. Its thicker cylinder walls proved more robust, ultimately paving the way for his development of the powerful .44 Magnum.

What are the key lessons from Elmer Keith's 'ka-BOOM' incident?

The primary lesson is the critical importance of using correct bullet diameters for specific cartridges to avoid dangerous pressure increases. It also highlights the risks of experimental handloads and the need for meticulous attention to detail in reloading.

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