… or bad things will happen.
Especially in a .338 Lapua.
These are photos from a kaBOOM! in Florida in recent days, as posted over at The Sniper’s Hide.
Minor injuries to the shooter, who was stunned for a number of minutes after touching off that grenade.
I’m not a bettin’ man, but I’d say the shooter will probably be battling a flinch the next time he goes rifle shooting.
Photos courtesy Queenpeg at The Sniper’s Hide.
I am so amazed that anyone can look down a barrel and not see a ram rod sticking out that far, even with a scope-it just doesn’t catch your eye?
The Good Lord was definately watching over this guy, whenever I clean my firearms, I am done shooting until the next time, I don’t usually have cleaning equipment with me when shooting. Even a new rifle, I would clean it before going to the range (or back yard) to try it out. If he had to clean the rifle at the range, why would he let go of the cleaning rod until he took it apart and put it away? Let’s hope he has learned from the experience, if not, he is definately someone that should be considered “mentally unfit” to own and use firearms.
What they didn’t show us is the brown spot on the seat.Wow! That is a good example of what not to do on the range. Pay attention! Glad he wasn’t seriously injured.
Yea that reminds me of a caution my dad always warned me of and when hunting in snow he was always warning me don’t let any snow get in the barrel. As a kid I’ve had to blow the snow out many times. It will split the barrel if you shoot with snow in there !!
Oh my GOD!
The Barrel split and the receiver ring failed. Looks like a rear locking lug may have kept the bolt from going through the mans head.
Any idea on the make of the receiver?
Well what on earth? When I use a cleaning rod on a fine bolt action I put it in from the breech end and the T-handle of the rod keeps me from putting the bolt in, much less firing the gun. Unless I forgot to bring it, I also use a bore guide that takes the place of the bolt. I’m not sure how this accident happened, but I’m glad the shooter is going to be all right, and I’m sure he won’t do that again.
I can’t understand why a person would EVER leave an unattended cleaning rod in the barrel, even for a moment. My cleaning procedure is such that if the rod is in the bore, it’s also in my hand, and if it’s not in my hand, it’s not in the bore.
Am I missing something here?
Read the link, now I have a better understanding of the cause. Apparently the shooter was having a problem with cases sticking in the chamber, and was tapping them out with the rod. He forgot to remove the rod after tapping out a stuck case, and fired another round with the rod still in the bore.
If I stuck to my method above, it would still prevent this type of problem, but it’s been a loooong time since I last tapped-out a stuck case, so I can’t say for sure that I would have followed the same procedure.
But I can darn sure say I will follow it in this type of situation if it comes up in the future.
“Apparently the shooter was having a problem with cases sticking in the chamber…”
Well give him some credit, he did fix the problem with cases sticking.
just buy an AK-47, cleaning is optional.
So is hitting the target…