Safety Issue

[xbowman]

How many of you when shooting a new rifle that has been build for you, built yourself or a kit build, fire it for the first time with a string from a safe distance?
I read where a 10% load from a maximum load should be tried first this way with the rifle secured safely. It sound like the right thing to do.

 

[jderrick]

I've wondered (and have also been concerned...) if/how the barrels are proofed at the factory? Also, testing with too low a load, is there the danger of there being a gap between the powder and ball and creating a dangerous situation thus?

 

[Poor Boy]

I might do that to an original muzzleloader,but a new gun these days are built very well.Most of the foreign muzzleloaders have a lifetime warranty.But I guess anything is possible.Whatever makes you comfortable.Just don't let some D___ A__ tell you it's ok to shoot smokeless powder in your muzzleloader, cause it ain't ok, and I don't care who made it...OLSON

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Each and every time, old habits die hard, I started doing it decades ago, and still do. If I intend to use a max load of 80 grains, I proof load with 160 grains and two balls.

Better to have a tied down barrel blow up on the stump, than in my face

 

I have been told by several makers that rifles that have modern steel barrels and have been breeched properly do not need a "proof load". I have never proofed any of mine, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't if you have a question about a gun. Also I never shoot loads even close to a max load (of course if someone accidently double loaded a gun that would be a test...).

 

[Keppy]

I just talked to a guy who says he also put twice the powder charge and two balls to test new bp rifle. He puts it in a vise with a string attached. I guess I just don't see the reasoning for it. Since the normal or max charge is say 80 grs. Whats the purpose? I've reloaded alot of ammo for new centerfire rifles, never thought of filling the case with pistol powder to see if it would blow up. I guess if its old and if I'm in doubt about the rifle its a wall hanger.

 

[john12865]

I just talked to a guy who says he also put twice the powder charge and two balls to test new bp rifle. He puts it in a vise with a string attached. I guess I just don't see the reasoning for it. Since the normal or max charge is say 80 grs. Whats the purpose? I've reloaded alot of ammo for new centerfire rifles, never thought of filling the case with pistol powder to see if it would blow up. I guess if its old and if I'm in doubt about the rifle its a wall hanger.

Peace of mind. You should be able to pull the trigger and not have to worry about killing yourself. Thats the point. You only get to kill yourself once. I think thats the logic behind guys doing these test. :rotf:

 

[Roy]

With modern barrels I don't worry about it. To test a barrel with a double charge is no good unless carefull measurments are taken before and after. If you are not checking this you may be weakening the barrel with out knowing it.

 

[xbowman]

Peace of mind, that is what I will be after when I start shooting my new kit rifle. It all is coming together great, but I will do what is recommended by the maker. Start off slow and work it up until I have Peace of Mind.
Stay safe all.

 

[Swampman]

I won't buy from a builder that doesn't sight the weapon in before it's shipped.

 

[CrackStock]

* Hacksaw Said:

I just talked to a guy who says he also put twice the powder charge and two balls to test new bp rifle. He puts it in a vise with a string attached. I guess I just don't see the reasoning for it. Since the normal or max charge is say 80 grs. Whats the purpose? I've reloaded alot of ammo for new centerfire rifles, never thought of filling the case with pistol powder to see if it would blow up. I guess if its old and if I'm in doubt about the rifle its a wall hanger.


Peace of mind. You should be able to pull the trigger and not have to worry about killing yourself. Thats the point. You only get to kill yourself once. I think thats the logic behind guys doing these test.

So what does anyone think that a loading a double charge and double ball prove?

In my view, it only demonstrates that it survived the excessive charge once. You might be causing the failure which you were trying to test for.

I try some light charges and then go to my chosen max in order to see if my gun was correctly built. I will examine the vent or drum and nipple area for how it handled the charges. I might even pull the barrel from the stock to see if there was any leakage at the breach plug seam. But I will not go above the max charges intentionally as a test.

CS

 

[roundball]

With modern barrels I don't worry about it. To test a barrel with a double charge is no good unless carefull measurments are taken before and after. If you are not checking this you may be weakening the barrel with out knowing it.

That's always been my worry...ie: how would I know if the "proof load" hasn't just taken the barrel to the very edge of failure...and/or that the home made "proof load" stress hasn't shortened the barrel's life by years or thousands of shots...

 

[jtmattison]

Each and every time, old habits die hard, I started doing it decades ago, and still do. If I intend to use a max load of 80 grains, I proof load with 160 grains and two balls.

Better to have a tied down barrel blow up on the stump, than in my face

First off, this is not to single you out. Comments such as yours are found throughout the forum.

I would think that pushing the rifle to such an extreme would do much more harm than good. Why try to make it fail? We make considerable investments in our firearms. Why try to destroy them or make them unsafe?
It makes no sense to me to potentially destroy a barrel with a load double of what you would shoot it with normally.

HD

 

[AZ-Robert]

In my view, it only demonstrates that it survived the excessive charge once. You might be causing the failure which you were trying to test for.

Amen. Unless you have the equipment to check it for cracks and bulges when you're finished I don't know that you would get any peace of mind out of it. Might even make you worry a little bit if you think about the damage you might have done.

 

My suggestion would be to go by the manufacturers recommendation. Case in point, my one custom built Hawken has a Green Mountain barrel. Green Mountain Barrel works recommends a max load of no more than 110 grains of 2FG in that 50 cal barrel.

Will my particular barrel take more? Cosidering it's a 50 cal barrel measuring 1 1/8 inches across the flats, I'd say yes. But why take the chance.

If you must take things to the extreme, you'll know you have reached the max charge when your hammer is cocked by the discharge.

 

[Cherokee]

I wouldnt want a barrel thats been double loaded.
Build it fire it with a normal load. If theres a problem it will show.

 

I'm in total agreement with you.

 

[Ridge]

Last guy who built one for me inisted on shooting it first. Then we sighted it in together.

If he's willing to be the first to pull the triger...that's goood enough for me.

 

[Keppy]

john12865 Said
Peace of mind. You should be able to pull the trigger and not have to worry about killing yourself. Thats the point. You only get to kill yourself once. I think thats the logic behind guys doing these test.

I will stay with normal loads. It may have been ok the first double load, but the first normal load after the double maybe the one that put the rifle over it's stress limit.

 

[Poor Boy]

Houn Dawg...Where do you think some of these people get their stupid answers.People are asking serious safety questions.If I was a moderator and could I would delete their stupid answers immediately..Freedom of speech is one thing,but stupidity goes clean to the bone........OLSON