New years day almost off with a bang

[quicksilver 0]

I got mysel upf early this morning and headed out to zero a couple of rifles and test a few loads. After I zeroed my centre fire rifles I got the hmr out to finish off the morning. The fourth round went click with no bang , I waited a few seconds then opened the bolt and the round ejected. After looking around the firing spot I couldn't find the misfired round only empty cases. I thought at this stage that I must have loaded a case and not a live round. The fifth round wouldn't allow the bolt to fully close so I removed the bolt to find the barrel blocked. The misfire was a dud round, when the primer fired it dislodged the bullet from the case but hadn't enough pressure to clear the muzzle. I was using ear defenders after the centre fire rifles and assumed that there was no detonation at all just the click but the primer must have fired. The rounds are Winchester 17 gr , I have never had this happen before but I thought I would share as it may save someone from a nasty accident.

 

Happy new year Keith

[doddsy1970 9]

I got mysel upf early this morning and headed out to zero a couple of rifles and test a few loads. After I zeroed my centre fire rifles I got the hmr out to finish off the morning. The fourth round went click with no bang , I waited a few seconds then opened the bolt and the round ejected. After looking around the firing spot I couldn't find the misfired round only empty cases. I thought at this stage that I must have loaded a case and not a live round. The fifth round wouldn't allow the bolt to fully close so I removed the bolt to find the barrel blocked. The misfire was a dud round, when the primer fired it dislodged the bullet from the case but hadn't enough pressure to clear the muzzle. I was using ear defenders after the centre fire rifles and assumed that there was no detonation at all just the click but the primer must have fired. The rounds are Winchester 17 gr , I have never had this happen before but I thought I would share as it may save someone from a nasty accident.

 

Happy new year Keith

 

By the sounds of it you were one lucky man....... If the bullet had travelled a little bit further up the barrel the consequences bare not thinking about. I was reading a letter sent into sporting shooter with a question about mis fires and he basically said that he hd been shown how to shoot safely but no one had ever shown him how to deal with a mis fire. I wonder how many people do know how to deal with them...... Glad your ok though.

[matt_hooks 188]

The misfire drill I was taught always involved a visual and physical check of the chamber and barrel after a misfire, even if the cartridge came out in one piece.

 

The drill goes something like...

 

keep rifle pointing downrange.

Wait for a few seconds in case of a hang fire (most unlikely with modern ammunition, but for the sake of a few seconds worth doing)

Remove magazine (where fitted/possible)

Lift bolt handle and draw bolt back slowly

Check ejected round/case.

Keep misfired case/round separate

Visually check chamber, and if possible remove bolt and check barrel. If not possible to visually check barrel (semi auto for example) then a cleaning rod should be inserted carefully from the muzzle to check the barrel is clear)

Lay weapon down pointing down range

Remove rounds from magazine, checking rounds for damage/any reason for stoppage

Check empty magazine for anything that will cause feed problems (bent retaining tabs, broken or worn spring, burs, damaged feed plate etc.)

Reload magazine

Inspect bolt to make sure firing pin is undamaged

Insert bolt

Insert magazine

Load round into chamber

Carry on firing

 

Of course, most ranges will have their own "stoppage drill" which normally involves laying the rifle down and calling the range officer over, but if you're on your own the above works well.

 

I've heard a few stories of HMR's being short loaded, though it's surprising that the round stuck in the barrel. I know that with .22LR, the primer is enough to drive the bullet out of the barrel.

[HUnter_zero 58]

This seems to be happening more and more

 

John