Never been happier I DIDN'T take a shot at a deer yesterday

[roundball]

Never been happier I DIDN’T didn’t take a shot at a deer yesterday !

After 20 + years of MLs and approaching 25,000 shots, I did something yesterday I’ve never done before”¦..short started a PRB and never seated it down”¦must have gotten distracted or something.

Getting ready to go out again this afternoon, took my still loaded .58cal Early Virginia into the shop to remove/wipe/reload it fresh, laid it across the carpeted bench, started to slide a range rod / ball puller down bore and it stopped 6” in past the muzzle.

And I had a Doe dead to rights yesterday but passed on her in hopes a buck would come out before dark”¦I must be living under a star or something as that would have probably ruined that barrel.

 

[majg1234]

yep can happen.....doe and you were lucky Happy Thanksgiving

 

[Billnpatti]

Yep, The Lord was looking over you. Just another thing to give thanks for today.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[GreyWhiskers]

Wow. That was fortunate. The ML gods were watching over you. :thumbsup: GW

 

[gearheart]

Glad you didn't touch off your pipe bomb. :shocked2: Happy thanksgiving.

 

[MSW]

when the little voice in your head says not to do something, it's best to listen.

make good smoke!

 

[roundball]

Figured it might be worth posting as a reminder / wake-up call for all of us

 

[silly goose]

Can you remember during the loading process, what it was that may have distracted you? I like routines, and when I deviate, that's when I start screwing things up.

 

[Alden]

Wow, and lucky catch!
Thanks-given for sharing.

 

[Spikebuck]

Bet when that hit only 6" in that put a little tension in your gut! :shocked2:

Glad it turned into nothing more than a lesson learned and thanks for posting it as we can all use a reminder to be extra careful every time we load. I have gotten into the habit of pulling out my ramrod and putting it down the barrel to check my mark when I get on stand. Makes me feel more confident I didn't forget something in the process.

 

[trent/OH]

Just out of curiosity, could you pull the ball from the short started position, or did you need to ram the ball home in order to pull it?

 

[nchawkeye]

Glad the man upstairs was watching over you!!

 

[roundball]

Just out of curiosity, could you pull the ball from the short started position, or did you need to ram the ball home in order to pull it?

Had to seat it to get enough resistance to screw in the ball puller

 

[George T.]

Thanks for the post. It will give me some thinking material. That is never a bad thing.

Geo. T.

 

[Walks with fire]

Your a very generous man and the Lord takes care of people like you. Thank God you didn't fire on the doe. Have a very happy and healthy Holidays.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Your a very generous man and the Lord takes care of people like you. Thank God you didn't fire on the doe. Have a very happy and healthy Holidays.

I'm with ole Fire-Walker right here. Thank God it worked out the way it did. I'd hate to think of you with a boo-boo or that pretty gun with a daisy for a barrel end! :thumbsup:

After the week I've had, I'd like it was the good Lord saving me from something dangerous rather than pure accident or varmints smarter than moi! :wink: :haha:

 

[agill]

I have gotten into the habit of pulling out my ramrod and putting it down the barrel to check my mark when I get on stand. Makes me feel more confident I didn't forget something in the process.

I still check with the ramrod mark as well. This incident reminds me that it is still a wise precaution.

roundball,

glad you're safe and thanks for posting. :hatsoff:

 

[cynthialee]

All that good karma you been racking up came through. :wink:

Good reminder here. If this can happen to a seasoned shooter like Roundball it can happen to any of us.

 

[Trench]

Yes, I say these sort of things are proof of divine intervention. I took a new shooter to a club shoot a couple weeks back and got so distracted by making sure he loaded correctly that I forgot to remove my ramrod from my barrel as I went on to shoot my target. Three klatches later (which never happens with Fearnaught) I inspected my rifle to find my ramrod sticking out if the barrel.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I did the same at the range a couple years ago, fired the gun, it went bloop instead of bang, no damage to the barrel that I can find. 54 cal Rice barrel, 90gr of 2F, no loose spots or drop in accuracy, I suspect I had only started the ball and not put it 6" inside the barrel.