Ever shoot a loading rod down range? You tell me........... I won't rat you out !

[Rock Home Isle]

I vote “best of show” bud. Great story.

First time hunting big game with a smokepole, such a pilgrim. I learned a lot that season.

 

[Huntinshep]

Shot it out zeroing in for fall hunting. Next spring while walking through property found it about 75-100 yards past target. Still have it but don't use it. Kept it for souvenir of stupidity.

 

[N.Y. Yankee]

Honestly, never have, although I have seen it done. Guys at the next bench were talking while loading and Im sure he was distracted.

I've seen a good You tube video of a guy doing this. It was funny but sad too.

 

[RedPoin]

about 35 years ago I had fired my cva 50 was running a dry patch down for cleaning fowling it got stuck used my plyers to pull it out but it broke off, so I un screwed th nipple and shook as much powder as I could in installed nipple capped and fired the ram rod cleared the top of the trees was out of sight.next day I called Dixie ordered a nother

 

[Rebel bull]

Once. Just once. Don't load and shoot during a conversation. Had a friend that did it at least 3 times.

my son called while I was loading ........damn it kicked like a mule never found it quit for the day (several actually)

 

[rp77469]

Just once. For the last 40 years I give the "STOP" sign to anyone who tries to talk with me while loading. I may be dumb, but I do learn from my mistakes.

 

[SPQR70AD]

I may have not shot a ramrod downfield but I did stay in a Motel 6 once

 

[gustrolland]

I've not had the distinction yet but hey I'm only 74 an recovering from a heart attack, plenty of time left !
I remember the first time I witnessed the phenomenon as a teenager shooting off the front porch at my cousins house. We were shooting at a target on an old grainy about 50 yards distant and I recall a flash of something long going down range as my cousin touched off his flint gun in .44 cal.
I didn't know what it was until we got down to the target and found the splintered loading rod fragments.
Cousin was talking about how the gun kicked more than usual as I remember it. He was done shooting for that day !

Only once, 1974. Learned my lesson.

 

[curtludwig]

about 35 years ago I had fired my cva 50 was running a dry patch down for cleaning fowling it got stuck used my plyers to pull it out but it broke off, so I un screwed th nipple and shook as much powder as I could in installed nipple capped and fired the ram rod cleared the top of the trees was out of sight.next day I called Dixie ordered a nother

I did a similar thing about 5 years ago. I was using a TC thread on T-handle and the ferrule pulled out of the rod. I didn't have any pliers with me. This was on a flintlock so I trickled powder in the touch hole and fired it off.
Fortunately I had another ramrod at home I could swap onto that gun. I shot a deer with that rifle in 2023...