roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 0
Hello Group,
I hope that my accident will warn others to take more precautions than did I.
I hesitate to write this, as no one wants to admit : (1) Age brings on lapses in thought processes. (2) I sometimes make very stupid mistakes. (3) Even after using firearms for many years, I am subject to dangerous mistakes, caused by not concentrating on what I am doing and/or getting excited about a new firearm.
The Florida black powder season began Friday. I had given both of my black powder rifles to my son, who lives far away, so after reading of the new TC Impact, .50 cal, I bought one. Luckily, I think, for me, I purchased the 200 gr. Sabot bullets. I also was using two 50 gr. pellets.
At the range, three rounds grouped well at 50 yards. I moved to the 100 yard position and my first round was just under the deer target's chest and I adjusted up a little. The second round hit high, over the heart area and I re-adjusted. Upon ignition of the third round, I got what may be the greatest feeling of recoil that I have ever experienced. I had left the rod in the bore, atop the 200 gr. Sabot bullet. After recovering and looking down range, I saw a large hole in the wooden baffle barrier, at 50 yards down range, where it had completely broken through a 2x6 edgewise. When the normal cease fire was called, I walked down range and retrieved the mangled rod, which was now shaped like a very badly drawn "S".
I went home and took the rifle down and inspected all thoroughly. The breach plug, to include the threads, looked fine. I found nothing wrong with the rifle and the bore still shown brightly and I could see no bulges, splits or scrapes. Taking the rod to my shop, I pounded it back straight. I returned to the range and fired four more rounds and the groups were just as tight as they had been before the accident.
What I have done to try to avoid this ever happening again : First off, the ram is black and when loading, nearly disappears into the bore when I load the two 50 gr. pellets and the 200 gr. Sabot. I have painted the rod hunter orange, so that maybe if I made the same mistake, I would see the rod at some point before I fire.
I have to take my hat off to TC, as they make a strong rifle.
Steven
I hope that my accident will warn others to take more precautions than did I.
I hesitate to write this, as no one wants to admit : (1) Age brings on lapses in thought processes. (2) I sometimes make very stupid mistakes. (3) Even after using firearms for many years, I am subject to dangerous mistakes, caused by not concentrating on what I am doing and/or getting excited about a new firearm.
The Florida black powder season began Friday. I had given both of my black powder rifles to my son, who lives far away, so after reading of the new TC Impact, .50 cal, I bought one. Luckily, I think, for me, I purchased the 200 gr. Sabot bullets. I also was using two 50 gr. pellets.
At the range, three rounds grouped well at 50 yards. I moved to the 100 yard position and my first round was just under the deer target's chest and I adjusted up a little. The second round hit high, over the heart area and I re-adjusted. Upon ignition of the third round, I got what may be the greatest feeling of recoil that I have ever experienced. I had left the rod in the bore, atop the 200 gr. Sabot bullet. After recovering and looking down range, I saw a large hole in the wooden baffle barrier, at 50 yards down range, where it had completely broken through a 2x6 edgewise. When the normal cease fire was called, I walked down range and retrieved the mangled rod, which was now shaped like a very badly drawn "S".
I went home and took the rifle down and inspected all thoroughly. The breach plug, to include the threads, looked fine. I found nothing wrong with the rifle and the bore still shown brightly and I could see no bulges, splits or scrapes. Taking the rod to my shop, I pounded it back straight. I returned to the range and fired four more rounds and the groups were just as tight as they had been before the accident.
What I have done to try to avoid this ever happening again : First off, the ram is black and when loading, nearly disappears into the bore when I load the two 50 gr. pellets and the 200 gr. Sabot. I have painted the rod hunter orange, so that maybe if I made the same mistake, I would see the rod at some point before I fire.
I have to take my hat off to TC, as they make a strong rifle.
Steven
