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Post by 161 on Feb 21, 2009 16:07:26 GMT -5
Swore I'd never tell but after hearing of more experienced shooter making mistakes I feel like I should share my first 10Ml deer kill. Only for the propose that other newbies like me won't make the same mistake. I got the 10 ml Xmas day and within a couple of weeks with the help of this board had it shooting solid MOA at 100 yards with an old 1960's vintage Weaver K4 scope.
I went out the first weekend of Iowa's January doe season and sat down in a brush pile next to a cornfield with my shooting sticks and a lawn chair. About an hour later a large doe walked out 150 yards away and I saw the 300 gr. Rem JHP strike right behind the shoulder. She ran a few yards an dropped.
This is where it gets ugly. The field filled with deer they were everywhere I had another tag and thought I'd fill it. I told myself "DON"T EVEN LOOK AT THEM". Just load the gun. If there's one still here when your done shoot it but don't look up until your sure you did this right. That's what I did everything right "EXCEPT" when I sat back down in the lawn chair and put the gun up on the shooting sticks I heard something rattle. Then as I looked down the side of the ML I noticed the EMPTY loop for the ramrod. I thought I must have just dropped it in the snow.
That thing kicked like 3 different kinds of pissed off. When my Universe stopped spinning the ml was standing straight up on my shoulder, my glasses bent twisted and yes the worst scope cut of my life. I walked over an gutted the deer and by the time I finished I had a 3 inch blood horn frozen to my forehead from bending over the deer. I decided I wanted to back track the deer's blood trail to where I had shot it. About half way I found another blood trail headed toward my blind. I thought that was odd then I realized it was mine from when I waked up th the deer.
When I got home the Weaver was ruined " they don't have nice rubber ring around the eyepiece". The hard plastic was shoved down into the rear eyepiece and you could rock the rear lens in the housing. These scopes are old but they were built like a tank.
That was on a Sunday by Wednesday both of me eyes were black and I was still blowing blood out of the sinus on that side. Hope you new shooters read this, and you experienced shooters laugh with me and not at me.
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Post by chickenhunter on Feb 21, 2009 16:23:58 GMT -5
161, Sorry that happened & am still laughing with you! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by rexxer on Feb 21, 2009 16:26:46 GMT -5
I had a friend do the same think with a black powder rifle. He missed his first shot and the deer just stood there. The next shot knock him out colder than a wedge. His friends took him home and his wife about fainted with all the blood on his face.He had the typical black eye and the circle trademark! He laughs about it now. Back then we never thought about bulging the barrel. I probably should tell him to check his.
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Post by 161 on Feb 21, 2009 16:34:54 GMT -5
Mine had a slight bulge just ahead of the rear sight. Sent it to Joe at Savage just got it back a week ago. The thing that upsets me the most is I had that barrel shooting so good. And I really liked that old scope. My head will heal, good scopes are hard to find.
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Post by mshm99 on Feb 21, 2009 16:39:04 GMT -5
Since 1982 ,I've shot 3 ramrods and two laser bore sighters down range. I'm not proud of it,but I've gotten good at making ramrods.
mshm
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Post by rexxer on Feb 21, 2009 16:45:11 GMT -5
Since 1982 ,I've shot 3 ramrods and two laser bore sighters down range. I'm not proud of it,but I've gotten good at making ramrods. mshm WOW! 99 Thats serious!!! ;D |
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Post by Buckrub on Feb 21, 2009 17:07:00 GMT -5
I have heard there are two kinds of people.......those who have shot their ramrod downrange, and those who will. I watched a Law Enforcement guy with 30+ years experience, a shooting trainer, do it right beside me. Now my story, though I have no black eye to show for it....only a red beau-tocks. After spending months, a year actually, changing this and that and the other 'recipe' for Betsy (mostly because of you yahoos on here!@!@!), I settled on the current one. I shot it a lot in August (another lonnnnnggggggg and sad and STUPID story about being too stupid to know a scope is mounted 90 degrees off!!) and finally got it right. However, I missed a dadgum deer right off the bat, first day of ML season last October. I was bummed. I couldn't believe after all I'd been through (Richard and RPL10 know!) that this gun let me down. Well she didn't, the shooter did. Took a shot through the trees I shouldn't have taken. But I wasn't convinced. So I spent a HOT Sunday afternoon at the range behind camp making sure that Betsy spit PERFECTLY and that also I was comfortable shooting her. I hit right smack where I aimed, over and over, and was satisfied. SO, I hunted the rest of the week. On Thursday, a bobcat stuck his head out in a shooting lane not 35 yards in front of me. OK, I hadn't seen a deer since my miss so I decided to eliminate the predator. POP. Um.........that is NOt the noise I expected. POP is for beer bottles coming off. BOOOOMMM is what Betsy says. I did not hear BOOOMMMM. I heard POP. My mind races, bobcat sits and sneers at me, and I decide that the primer must be off. I had (and still have) this problem of bolt not closing right when using the RB bushing-type BP, and I figured I'd buggered up the primer. So I stuck another primer, bobcat is STILL sneering at me, and I fire again. POP. OK I AM SOMEWHAT PERTURBED. That ain't what I'd call it but let's say that, for now. Finally I slap my forehead, take my 'proving stick' and ram it down the barrel and it goes WAY past the load mark! I am NOT LOADED. I HAVE SAT IN THIS STAND NIGHT AND DAY FOR 5 STRAIGHT DAYS WITH AN UNLOADED GUN, AND NEVER ONCE CHECKED IT. I guess I was lucky. It was a bobcat that showed me up and not a 12 pointer. I need a keeper. But.....I still had my ramrod!  |
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Post by sw on Feb 21, 2009 17:08:33 GMT -5
:)Weaver 4X shotgun scopes, regularily $249 are now $79 at Natchez. I got one: I'm not sure but believe they are acutally "just" K-4 scopes. I love it. It is a small, bright, crisp little scope.
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Post by 161 on Feb 21, 2009 18:51:21 GMT -5
I have about 75 rnd. through the new barrel and I think it's settling down now. Not where I want to be but getting there. Not sure if it's the gun or If I'm just now getting over the Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome flinch. And I didn't mention this is my first ML so I haven't had a chance to break anything else.
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Post by sagittarius on Feb 21, 2009 18:53:43 GMT -5
161, I did not laugh at you; but it made me cringe.  Wow, that must have been painful ! |
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Post by 161 on Feb 21, 2009 19:52:19 GMT -5
Didn't hurt near as bad as admitting to what happened
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Post by ozark on Feb 21, 2009 20:19:47 GMT -5
I believe it was Daniel Wesson who built a fail safe safety. He loaded, put it on safe and squeezed and squeezed and after much hard squeezing it went BOOM.
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Post by Richard on Feb 21, 2009 20:26:15 GMT -5
161.............That was an interesting story and I am glad you are alright also  My nose is "scabbing" up real nice. I should look good in church tomorrow  Anyway, I just put a .50 back on my gun while the .45 is in "sick-bay!" I'm sure there are many shooters across the country who could tell stories about their "OPPS" Some might be too proud to admit it. Like you, I feel that putting the story out in public will make other shooters aware of how critical a mistake can be! I have already put together a wooden dowel with a RED flag and the word LOADED on it. This will go in the barrel if the gun does not go directly on my rest. Richard |
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Post by mike.dawson on Feb 21, 2009 20:40:31 GMT -5
Haven't done that with the savage but I did double load my knight disc elite and the recoil was like watching those people shoot the .557 T Rex, sent the barrel back to Green Mountain and they sent a new barrel for free. I follow a regime now that requires me to do three seperate steps from three differnt boxes to load the savage then I check with the range rod with my witness marks.
Mike
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tick
Forkhorn
Posts: 61
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Post by tick on Feb 21, 2009 20:41:46 GMT -5
I bet that pretty red flag will look strange on it's way to the target! I think I'd rather put the gun in the rest than stick something in the barrel that I might forget. One less thing to worry about. I'm not a bit concerned that you would ever do something like that again Richard. When I bulged my .50, I changed my routine and am over cautious now. I may mess up again but if I do, I hope Nitro ain't with me.
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Post by zakjak221 on Feb 21, 2009 20:44:11 GMT -5
If you are distracted or caught up in the hunt--It can happen easily. More than people want to admit. I've caught myself close to leaving the rod in. Sometimes its hard to stay focused.
I also have this situation when I premeasure powder vials for the range or field. Dump the powder and start over again when I'm interupted.
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Post by smokeless77 on Feb 21, 2009 21:34:17 GMT -5
161
Just the way you told the story really had me laughing. Sorry for the mishap though.
Buckrubs story had me going to.
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Post by cumminscowboy on Feb 21, 2009 21:39:54 GMT -5
I once shot a broken brass loading jag out with the bullet once, it left 2 holes in the paper, i was really shocked and wondered what happened when their where 2 holes in the paper, I sure would have like to seen what this combo would have done to a deer, that brass flipping and turning the whole way there
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Post by bloodtrailer on Feb 21, 2009 21:47:39 GMT -5
Shooting shot gun slugs and muzzle loaders both with scopes on them and I've had a few smack me between the eyes and one or two cuts never fun. Glad your all right!
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Post by tar12 on Feb 21, 2009 22:59:12 GMT -5
Buckrub,
Was your shooting form good?Did you flinch? LOL!
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Post by jims on Feb 21, 2009 23:02:30 GMT -5
I knew I was not the only one and not the first to have a shooting problem but I never knew there were so many of us. Admission may be good for the soul, if so we all should be feeling better.
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Post by Al on Feb 22, 2009 4:49:28 GMT -5
I have heard there are two kinds of people.......those who have shot their ramrod downrange, and those who will. I watched a Law Enforcement guy with 30+ years experience, a shooting trainer, do it right beside me. Now my story, though I have no black eye to show for it....only a red beau-tocks. After spending months, a year actually, changing this and that and the other 'recipe' for Betsy (mostly because of you yahoos on here!@!@!), I settled on the current one. I shot it a lot in August (another lonnnnnggggggg and sad and STUPID story about being too stupid to know a scope is mounted 90 degrees off!!) and finally got it right. However, I missed a dadgum deer right off the bat, first day of ML season last October. I was bummed. I couldn't believe after all I'd been through (Richard and RPL10 know!) that this gun let me down. Well she didn't, the shooter did. Took a shot through the trees I shouldn't have taken. But I wasn't convinced. So I spent a HOT Sunday afternoon at the range behind camp making sure that Betsy spit PERFECTLY and that also I was comfortable shooting her. I hit right smack where I aimed, over and over, and was satisfied. SO, I hunted the rest of the week. On Thursday, a bobcat stuck his head out in a shooting lane not 35 yards in front of me. OK, I hadn't seen a deer since my miss so I decided to eliminate the predator. POP. Um.........that is NOt the noise I expected. POP is for beer bottles coming off. BOOOOMMM is what Betsy says. I did not hear BOOOMMMM. I heard POP. My mind races, bobcat sits and sneers at me, and I decide that the primer must be off. I had (and still have) this problem of bolt not closing right when using the RB bushing-type BP, and I figured I'd buggered up the primer. So I stuck another primer, bobcat is STILL sneering at me, and I fire again. POP. OK I AM SOMEWHAT PERTURBED. That ain't what I'd call it but let's say that, for now. Finally I slap my forehead, take my 'proving stick' and ram it down the barrel and it goes WAY past the load mark! I am NOT LOADED. I HAVE SAT IN THIS STAND NIGHT AND DAY FOR 5 STRAIGHT DAYS WITH AN UNLOADED GUN, AND NEVER ONCE CHECKED IT. I guess I was lucky. It was a bobcat that showed me up and not a 12 pointer. I need a keeper. But.....I still had my ramrod! done that before in the bear stand, had a nice 350ish blackie come in, figured he'd do fine for a rug, pull up 50 Alaskan lever gun, settle in the sights, drop the hammer....click.............forgot to chamber a round.  If that would have been a chocolate.....I can't even go there!!  |
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Post by Al on Feb 22, 2009 4:50:52 GMT -5
btw, just went and weighed a 25" solid ram rod from a 700ML..........1710gr
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Post by KerryB on Feb 22, 2009 10:08:41 GMT -5
If you really want a failsafe red flag for the muzzle of your rifle to help remind you it is loaded, take a plastic coffee can lid and spray paint it red. Now you tack that red lid to the end of a wooden dowel rod slightly smaller than your muzzle and slip that puppy in the bore as soon as you load the first load. That will help prevent you from loading anything else if you get distracted and you won't be able to see the target through the scope with that in the barrel, so you won't shoot it down range. It will only cost the price of a dowel rod and a little red paint, which is much cheaper than a new barrel................
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Post by Harley on Feb 22, 2009 11:30:55 GMT -5
My own "stupid moment" was forgetting to use my ramrod to seat the bullet after starting it with a short starter. No harm done, I actually saw the bullet leave the barrel.
Harley
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Post by jims on Feb 22, 2009 11:48:02 GMT -5
After reading all these posts I wonder if everyone has not had at least one less than smart moment with a firearm. Fortunately it all sounds as if none of us were seriously injured and we have all gained something from our own or others experiences.
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Post by northny on Feb 22, 2009 16:31:57 GMT -5
Richard, another thought to prevent double loading. The plastic dust covers that fit the flash supressor on an AR-15 (keep out dust and dirt) also fits the barrel on 50 cal MLII. Slip on the cap after loading, it will keep you from double loading, and if you do give it a ride down range no problem (they are designed to shoot off). They come in black and blaze orange (and maybe other colors)
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Post by joe21a on Feb 22, 2009 18:19:19 GMT -5
161 When I read your story I thought for a couple sec's you were going to tell us you actually hit the 2nd deer and had to track your ram rod
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Post by herman on Feb 22, 2009 18:55:50 GMT -5
I have heard there are two kinds of people.......those who have shot their ramrod downrange, and those who will. Buckrub
It took me years to do it but finally did it last year,I posted it last year and richard found part of the ram rod about 75 yds down range and the bullet even struck about 6 inches above the dot I was shooting at.
I was lucky all I got was a hard kick and didn't even realize what I had done untill I started to reload.
I think the reason was because I use a knight ramrod which is very light because it is hollow.And it is tough I use one in both my rifles and have a long one I use for a cleaning rod.
I have had scope eye and a bloody nose on a couple shots also.Neither feels too good.
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Post by ET on Feb 22, 2009 19:12:09 GMT -5
161
In another thread comments were made of the danger of distractions when reloading for a shot. Here you have provided us with an example if we loose focus at the heat of the moment when hunting. I know it wasn’t easy but thanks for putting your pride aside to provide us with an awareness in the field.
Glad that only a minor physical injury occurred that allowed full healing with time.
Ed
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My nose is "scabbing" up real nice. I should look good in church tomorrow 
Anyway, I just put a .50 back on my gun while the .45 is in "sick-bay!" I'm sure there are many shooters across the country who could tell stories about their "OPPS" Some might be too proud to admit it. Like you, I feel that putting the story out in public will make other shooters aware of how critical a mistake can be! I have already put together a wooden dowel with a RED flag and the word LOADED on it. This will go in the barrel if the gun does not go directly on my rest.
