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...

 

[Dark Angel]

Had a friend deer hunting from a tree stand. He took a shot at a buck with his BP rifle and missed. According to him. the buck ran off to about 50 yards, then turned around and came back, (Curious about the rifle shot!) He was reloading, and his ramrod was still in his rifle when the buck walked under where he was. So, fearful of spooking the animal, he took the shoot ramrod and all. He got the deer. But was it the bullet that killed the buck or the ramrod?

 

[Tinpan Dan]

Seen it in a movie once.
Think it was Mountain Men with Charlton Heston and Brian Keith

 

[nhmoose]

Yes, I have never found the damned thing either.

 

[Greg Y]

I stuck a patch while cleaning my hawken. I put as much powder in the nipple hole as will fit. I did this 3x before it fired. I launched the rod about 40 yards and stuck it in the mud 1/2 way.

Looking back, I should have tipped the rifle with one pinch so the cap could get to it.

 

[52Bore]

Your P-H Whitworth? I'd be grateful to know the serial number for Mr Minshall's records.

Was not my rifle.

 

[Jack Barnes]

Unfortunately I have...

 

[OLUT]

Seen it in a movie once.
Think it was Mountain Men with Charlton Heston and Brian Keith

Yup, about 14 or 15 minutes into this movie, Heston is reloading and shoots his ramrod into the back of the attacking Indian. Note the nice black powder smoke that partially obscures the imbedded ramrod This "ramrod shooting" is also in a couple other movies, as it makes good action.

 

[flintlock75]

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 !

I have not personally done it, I have seen it done. There was a canoe shoot, loading and shooting from the canoe along a course, older gentleman who likes to win , spotted a target as he past it, forgot his brass loading rod in the barrel, turned around in the seat and fired, that extra recoil overturned the canoe and in the water he went along with the guy paddling in the back seat. Water was only 3’ deep. The laughter could be heard for miles. No injuries x just wet, never did find the rod.