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Post by SURESHOT on Nov 9, 2022 11:42:04 GMT -5
Wanted to share, This goes inline with another thread, BUT WANTED to SHARE with others here on the board, that it can happen to YOU! On September 27th, I cleaned a friends muzzleloader and decided to take it to the range like I normally do. Looking at my two muzzleloaders I decided to take my own also. After arriving at the range, I loaded and shot my friends which all these are BOLT guns, three shots I fired covered up with a nickel. Being pleased, I pulled my 45cal from the case charged it with powder and a bullet, and primer set down took aim squeezed the trigger off and had a MAJOR EXPLOSION!! It was double loaded! no tape on the barrel like I usually do, and did not check my WITNESS MARK, Needless to say the gun was a total loss, with that being stated my left HAND had Major Damage, spent 4 days in the hospital having reconstructive surgery on my hand loosing the very tip of my ring finger, with my middle , index finger fracture and around my thumb having many stitches, I was very blessed. With a recap the double loading came because I failed and marking my gun or guns with RED DUCT TAPE over the muzzle marked loaded. I cleaned these guns out in my shop and loaded them, realizing my tape was in the house I put them back in their cases and I would mark them later, WELL I DID NOT, I set them in the corner and 10 days later headed to the range, did not even think about it, did not even consider to check or look at the witness mark and I paid a price for it, my hand, loss of my gun, hospital bills, and a load on my wife, with her having to help me with simple things!!! such as tying my shoes, buttoning my pants, and ect..... Now 6 weeks later still not able to drive, My hand is looking a lot better, fingers are looking back like fingers, have feeling in all my fingers, not able to move them a lot, but can wiggle them and slightly bend and now able to hold a little weight and tie my shoes, it's getting better!! I am sharing this to HOPEFULLY get other's ATTENTION THAT it can HAPPEN TO YOU! I have a lot of friends that have got these muzzleloaders. They cannot believe that this has happened to me as much as I preach to them about DOUBLE CHARGING, and the DANGER..... may it be a bolt gun or a break action, (note... your face is right in the danger zone with the break action... CHECK and RE CHECK) even step to the side and waste a primer, to verify. Always check your bore for obstruction. Let me share a story... a friend of mine shot his 300 win mag and the extractor blew out hitting his hand and face. He believes a dirt dobber had built a nest in his barrel..... when he returned home he put the gun there in his loading room at the garage and then saw a dirt dobber going into the end of the barrel... another individual a while back shot his shotgun at a rat not knowing his daughter had put marbles into the barrel.... another explosion.... so bore obstructions are real on any gun, I have beat myself up over my accident..... I hope this sheds some light that it CAN HAPPEN TO YOU ! a picture to follow....
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Post by SURESHOT on Nov 9, 2022 11:52:51 GMT -5
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Post by flattopusa on Nov 9, 2022 13:56:36 GMT -5
Hope you heal soon and are back at the range!!!
Before I shoot any gun I check the bore, then I load. In the case of my CVA SML I load the day before the hunting season and it stays that way until I shoot it. Every morning before I hunt the ramrod goes down the bore and the witness mark is checked. At the end of the season the gun is discharged (shot). Does that mean I cant make a mistake, no, but I follow that routine religiously in hopes that I dont. The problem is no matter how hard we try we are still human and subject to error.....ask me how I know that.
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Post by gd357 on Nov 9, 2022 14:40:00 GMT -5
Glad to hear the injuries weren't worse. Hope you recovery quickly.
This could have been a lot worse, but it is a reminder that we all need to pay strict attention when loading smls.
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Post by ballistic on Nov 9, 2022 15:32:57 GMT -5
Oh my Gosh ! Just zoomed in on that pic of the muzzy. When I saw the destruction including the eye piece section blown off the scope -sent chills up my spine. As bad as it is right now - it could have been so so much worse.
I wish Sureshot the speediest recovery and this is a harsh reminder of what I need to do better at. I have several muzzys and tons of ramrods that I’m always swapping out- a recipe for a mistake.
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Post by SURESHOT on Nov 9, 2022 16:00:40 GMT -5
Oh my Gosh ! Just zoomed in on that pic of the muzzy. When I saw the destruction including the eye piece section blown off the scope -sent chills up my spine. As bad as it is right now - it could have been so so much worse. I wish Sureshot the speediest recovery and this is a harsh reminder of what I need to do better at. I have several muzzys and tons of ramrods that I’m always swapping out- a recipe for a mistake. Thanks to you and to all that have replied, Really thought that I was very careful, but as one mentioned the night before anything I have going BORES will be checked and then into its case, Yes I wanted to post the picture, as I mentioned I hope my mistake will prevent this from others, Thanks to all for the concern and well wishes THANKS!
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Post by hillbill on Nov 9, 2022 16:51:02 GMT -5
I really really hate to hear this
Again to those that think it can’t happen to me? A very stark reminder that it can and will if we are not extremely careful.
I am trying to make myself pull the bolt on my bolt guns and look for light through the bushing hole before I load EVERY time I start a range session or before going to the stand.
I wish you a speedy recovery and thanks very much for your post.
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Post by SURESHOT on Nov 9, 2022 17:23:38 GMT -5
I really really hate to hear this Again to those that think it can’t happen to me? A very stark reminder that it can and will if we are not extremely careful. I am trying to make myself pull the bolt on my bolt guns and look for light through the bushing hole before I load EVERY time I start a range session or before going to the stand. I wish you a speedy recovery and thanks very much for your post. Thanks HILLBILL, Hopefully this will help others to be mindful of the danger!!!
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Post by 03mossy on Nov 9, 2022 18:32:05 GMT -5
Wow that’s terrible!!! Prayers for a full recovery and thank you for having the courage to share this!
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Post by yoderjac on Nov 9, 2022 18:39:29 GMT -5
Our prayers are with you, and the older (and more forgetful I get), the more when I hear stories like the, the first thing I think is "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
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Post by jimbob on Nov 9, 2022 19:02:26 GMT -5
First of all THANKS FOR SHARING yes you are very lucky it wasn't worse than it was Best wishes for a speedy recovery and you get the full use of your hand back
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Post by Hank on Nov 9, 2022 19:08:33 GMT -5
Hey guys? This is just a reminder of what it could have been. Please mark your ram rods and look at it everytime you load your gun. Nothing is worth loosing your hand or even worse, YOUR LIFE!
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Post by YankeeReb on Nov 9, 2022 19:49:07 GMT -5
It really sucks to have your hand mangled but this mishap could have taken your eyes or like Hank said your life. I hope you have a speedy recovery my friend.
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Post by spikes on Nov 9, 2022 20:48:37 GMT -5
Wow so sorry to hear about this man. Prayer for fast recovery. Thx for also not being too prideful to post this. I believe it could help save someones life at some point.
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Post by joelmoney on Nov 9, 2022 21:00:14 GMT -5
Sorry to hear what happened. I pray you recovery is as complete as can be. Thanks for sharing we all need reminders.
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Post by Richard on Nov 9, 2022 21:56:19 GMT -5
Sorry to hear of your mishap Sureshot! Unfortunately, I have written similar posts three times! Well, that is over the course about 12 years and some 15,000+ shots thru multiple rifles. Fortunately, due to the thickness of my barrels, I only bulged them.
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Post by 1coyotemaster on Nov 9, 2022 22:26:32 GMT -5
Thanks for posting that. Praying for your rapid recovery. Richards remarks are quite revealing- I know him to be a very meticulous and careful shooter. It's happened to him three times, that should give us all pause to think.It undoubtedly will happen again- make certain it's not you.
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Post by shindig on Nov 10, 2022 8:16:07 GMT -5
Thank You for sharing. Prayers for a speedy recovery. Take care
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jp81
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by jp81 on Nov 11, 2022 21:26:22 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that sureshot, best of luck on a speedy recovery!
Had my first double load Saturday with the scout conversion that my son uses. I had loaded the night before and he took it hunting and loaded again. Thank the Lord he listened when I told him to always check the mark. He called me when he noticed it wouldn’t push all the way down. It was my fault for not making sure he knew it was loaded. Now he knows to always look for light through the breech and check with the ramrod and I will be much more careful from now on too, especially after reading your story.
Thanks for posting it and all the replies, it could very well save someone else from making the same mistake
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Post by chromeslayer on Nov 11, 2022 21:47:48 GMT -5
Wow is all i can say... most guys would have to much pride to share a story like this.. def a eye opener for anybody with a muzzleloader.. thanks for sharing and hope your recovery goes as smooth and fast as it can!
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