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Post by Hank on Jan 9, 2024 7:14:10 GMT -5
When loading and shooting all muzzle loaders, make sure you keep your head and thoughts on the task at hand. This happens every year. This guy got hurt, 14 stitches in his hand with permanent ligament damage and 10 stitches in his face, so for heaven’s sake, pay attention to what you are doing and don't get distracted.  This is an old picture but it shows you what can happen to your hand when you don't pay attention to what you are doing.  |
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Post by SURESHOT on Jan 9, 2024 8:51:48 GMT -5
This post and the STATEMENT by Hank should be taken very SERIOUSLY, both the GUN and Hand pictures speaks volumes !! LOOK THRU BORE before Loading, Check bore with RAM rod and WITNESS MARK before loading, and RE check again with WITNESS MARK after charging with powder and bullet, any doubt PUSH IT OUT, and if BARREL is charged with powder and bullet and then set aside, I cover the bore with RED DUCT TAPE marked LOADED!!
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Post by gunny51 on Jan 9, 2024 13:43:54 GMT -5
A witness mark has saved me a couple of times. For some reason at the range shooters want to come up and talk about smokeless muzzleloading. That's when I get distracted. These pictures are a good reminder of what can happen.
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Post by hillbill on Jan 9, 2024 17:58:00 GMT -5
Smokeless guns are considered voodoo by most of the shooting community for this specific reason.
We can preach it at the top of our lungs but unless the guys using these things take it seriously I’m afraid this will continue to happen.
The very best practice before EVER loading is to peer down the plug and make sure you see daylight, if not? the best case scenario is an obstruction in the bushing, otherwise? It’s loaded.
Never use a ramrod not marked for the gun you are using, yep, I’ve done too but decided some time back it will not happen again.
I know guys that only have one ramrod for more than one gun, not a good idea.
Break action guns are more fragile by design, yes a CF action with a full lug will blow up too but not as easily.
Guys shooting break actions need to be super careful, blowup’s almost always result in serious hand injuries.
Always cover your muzzle with tape or a balloon to keep out moisture but most of all so you know it’s loaded
If you leave the field loaded always replace the module with a spent one.
I watched a guy I know pick up a friends gun out of his case and almost pull the trigger until I yelled at him, yep it was loaded with a live module.
I suspected it might be and it was, both guys learned a valuable lesson.
It can’t or won’t happen to me!
To this I say BULL HOCKEY! It can and does
Ask me how I know?
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Post by Deputy819 on Jan 10, 2024 9:16:16 GMT -5
Absolutely 100% the TRUTH! Ask me how “I” know. After what I did the day after last Spring’s shoot I’m lucky to have the fingers to be typing this (a few of you know what happened). PAY ATTENTION, STAY FOCUSED and for God’s sake have witness marks on ALL your ramrods!
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Post by ballistic on Jan 10, 2024 13:30:09 GMT -5
My advice when shooting. - leave your cell phone in your car - distractions have caused issues for me at the range as others always want to talk. A friend of mine buldged his barrel while conducting business on his phone (double charge of powder). I convinced him that this game wasn’t for him as he is “one with his phone.” This isn’t for everyone. I believe this game is for the advanced reloader. - I put red tape over the end of the barrel and write “loaded” while hunting this stays on - you can shoot with the tape on and accuracy is not affected. —This pic is on my muzzy that’s been loaded for over a month. Seeing the pics above scare the heck out of me. I hope and pray I don’t mess up and the same for all of you.  |
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Post by Richard on Jan 17, 2024 22:01:15 GMT -5
Having bulged three barrels after some 15 years of shooting them and close to 20,000 shots, my advise is this: if you want a light gun, build off a 700 type action. Use a sendero contour barrel with a minimum of 1.250" for at least 5" on the breech end. Your blowups occur right where the bullet meets the powder...which is right about your hand is placed. These break action rifles have "skinny" barrels with cheesy friends. Needless to say, they are the worst choice for a SML.
None of my barrels blew up. Plus most of my shooting was off a sled with a heavy gun and my hand was never under that location.
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