.41 Mag does not equal .44 Mag

[Walkalong]

I was loading up to go shoot yesterday and was grabbing my Redhawk in .44 Mag when I decided to shoot the Redhawk in .41 Mag instead. I slid the .44 back and grabbed the .41, along with some ammo. I also brought a couple of other pistols and rifles.

I make it to the range, shot a few 9MMs, then grabbed the Redhawk, loaded six rounds, took aim at a 1 liter bottle someone left on the 100 yard berm and it went phafiiiift, hitting about 5 yards low and 3 yards left. Weird. A quick check and yea, I grabbed the full power rounds, but even the midrange stuff should have shot better. I popped open the cylinder, checked the bore and it was clear. Then I popped the case out and it was split the entire length. Hmm, not unusual for a case to split, but these were fairly new. Hmm, it has a bulge too. That's when the light went on in my head. I grabbed my 1X reading glasses from my range bag (Yep, should have done this sooner), and sure enough, it read .44 Magnum on the barrel.

I know better than this...... Arghh.

 

[kelbro]

We all make mistakes. Fortunately, no one was hurt as a result of this one. Bet you don't do that again!

 

[huntershooter]

Done it.

My first clue was 6" 25 yd. groups...
Note to self; when shooting identical MG's in .41 and .44 caliber, one out of the range bag at a time (in addition to pulling head from a#@).

 

[Lost Sheep]

Thanks for sharing, Walkalong. It is a cautionary tale that illustrates the benefit of NEVER assuming ANYTHING. If it can happen to someone as well-experienced as you, it can happen to any of us.

Yesterday, for the first time this year, I took my Ruger Bisley 45 Colt/45 ACP dual cylinder revolver out to the range with a bunch of 45 ACP ammo. Guess what? The 45 Colt cylinder was in place and, even though the appearance of the cylinders is vastly different (one fluted, the other not, but with engraving) and I dropped a round in a chamber and saw it drop WAY deep. THEN I wondered how I had gotten a .40 caliber round mixed in with my handloaded 45 ACP, especially weird since I don't own a .40. It took be a few seconds to figure out that I had the wrong cylinder in place.

Yeah. Pre-flight checklist. Good idea. But one can never think of everything.

Thanks again. Your confession gives the rest of us permission (and encouragement) to apply a healthy dose of self-doubt and double check in the name of safety.

Lost Sheep

 

[Crashbox]

I'm glad you and the Redhawk are OK.

Reminds me of the time I shot *several* 7x57's in an 1891 7.65 Argentine Mauser...

 

[gamestalker]

A bit more intense, but a few years back my Son managed to chamber a .270 win in the 7mm RM, both were set up visually identical. It went boom in a rather normal sense, but when he opened the bolt the case fell out in pieces.
It pays to take the extra few seconds it takes to read the barrel and ammo head stamp.

GS

 

[armarsh]

I can say with authority that you can fire a 380 out of a CZ82. It does not shoot well. It took me four tries to get the Raccoon.

 

[W.E.G.]

.308 fired in 30-06
http://looserounds.com/2012/09/30/subcaliber-munitions/

 

[wgaynor]

Reminds me of when a reloaded .30-.30 round got mixed into the reloaded 7.62x54r rounds...

Now I double check.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I did that once with a Single Six. But you got a lot more bang for your buck!

 

[Bush Pilot]

Done it.

My first clue was 6" 25 yd. groups...
Note to self; when shooting identical MG's in .41 and .44 caliber, one out of the range bag at a time (in addition to pulling head from a#@).

That has to be one of the dumbest things I've ever heard a person do, you'd really have to have your head up your butt. Don't ask me how I know. BTW, mine were Redhawks.

 

[Walkalong]

Maybe we need old man big print Redhawks. *sigh*

Either that or we need to pay closer attention.....Yep

 

[dagger dog]

One of my friends was showing me his new Marlin bolt action 22 rifle, I didn't get to hold the gun but was agreeing with him on how nice it looked. He loaded the tube magazine, raised it up and fired it went PFHTTT, he gave a quizzical look and fired another PFHHT.

This time he walked over with his hand held out, I held out mine and he dropped the case into my hand and it was split all the way down, I asked to hold the rifle and looked at the roll markings it was a 22 WMR, he only had 22 long rifle ammo with him, the clerk that sold it to him said it was like the 357 Magnum and 38 S&W Special, and it would be cheaper to use the 22 LR !

Now that's a dumbA$$ attack !

 

[Sam1911]

Maybe we need old man big print Redhawks. *sigh*

First time I've ever heard someone suggest Ruger should use LARGER print on the barrels of their guns!

Maybe they could add another line to the safety warning printed on the barrel:

"Attention! Please read the cartridge identification printed above this warning, and then compare the exact text seen there with the cartridge identification printed on the box, or boxes, of ammunition you plan to use, and on the head stamps on the case head of each individual cartridge you intend to shoot in this firearm. In the event that these identifying marks do not match exactly, consult a ---<PLEASE TURN GUN OVER TO CONTINUE READING THE PORTION OF THIS SAFETY WARNING NOTICE PRINTED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE -- EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WITH REGARD TO MUZZLE DIRECTION WHILE INVERTING THIS FIREARM TO READ THE PORTION OF THIS SAFETY MESSAGE PRINTED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. (C) STURM RUGER & CO., PRESCOTT, AZ, USA, EARTH, SOLAR SYSTEM, SOLAR INTERSTELLAR NEIGHBORHOOD, MILKY WAY GALAXY, LOCAL GALACTIC GROUP, VIGO SUPERCLUSTER, KNOWN UNIVERSE...All Rights Reserved>"

Or words to that effect.

 

[jmorris]

I know a fellow that fired a 264 win mag through a 300 wby. Made quite an odd looking case.

 

[ridgerunner1965]

i once ran some 16 ga shotshells thru a 12 ga pump. i was so used to when i was growing up, that 16 shells were purple that black 16 ga shells just did not register.no damage done tho.

 

[Hondo 60]

Done that with a lite 44 mag load & a 45 Colt SAA.

No damage to the gun, but accuracy sure took a hit.
And the case was toast.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

270 Win. look funny when they are fired in a Garrand also!

 

[rcmodel]

Maybe we need old man big print Redhawks. *sigh*

Get a can of red rust-olium and paint a stripe around the barrel on the .44.
Like the British did on our 30-06's we sent them.

Yea! That's the ticket!!!

It will make you famous at the range!!

rc

 

[gmccusker]

.44 Mag in a Ruger .45 Colt Bisley. Didn't hurt the Bisley, but 6 shots to discover the poor grouping? Yes, I'm old and ashamed....

 

[JShirley]

I was there when Byron reloaded one of his 1911s. With his Dan Wesson 10mm magazine. It went bang, too. Fortunately, no damage to people or gun.

Especially have to be careful when you have identical firearms in different calibers.

John

 

[jimmyraythomason]

my Son managed to chamber a .270 win in the 7mm RM,

A friend of mine bought a Browning BAR in 7mm mag that had had a .270 win fired in it. It blew the extractor out,spred the receiver blowing the fcg out the bottom. I put the receiver in a vise and forced it back into position and replaced the extractor and spring. After putting several round of 7 mag through it without any ill effect,I pronounced it safe to shoot.That was a couple of hunting seasons ago and it has racked up a couple of nice bucks.

 

[Dframe]

I managed to fire a 44 special in a 45 colt once. And a friend of mine fired a 9mm in a 40 glock. made for a real interesting fired case but fortunately no damage or harm.

 

[Bush Pilot]

First time I've ever heard someone suggest Ruger should use LARGER print on the barrels of their guns!

Maybe they could add another line to the safety warning printed on the barrel:

"Attention! Please read the cartridge identification printed above this warning, and then compare the exact text seen there with the cartridge identification printed on the box, or boxes, of ammunition you plan to use, and on the head stamps on the case head of each individual cartridge you intend to shoot in this firearm. In the event that these identifying marks do not match exactly, consult a ---<PLEASE TURN GUN OVER TO CONTINUE READING THE PORTION OF THIS SAFETY WARNING NOTICE PRINTED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE -- EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WITH REGARD TO MUZZLE DIRECTION WHILE INVERTING THIS FIREARM TO READ THE PORTION OF THIS SAFETY MESSAGE PRINTED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. (C) STURM RUGER & CO., PRESCOTT, AZ, USA, EARTH, SOLAR SYSTEM, SOLAR INTERSTELLAR NEIGHBORHOOD, MILKY WAY GALAXY, LOCAL GALACTIC GROUP, VIGO SUPERCLUSTER, KNOWN UNIVERSE...All Rights Reserved>"

Or words to that effect.

Don't give them any ideas

 

[dickttx]

I have different colored pistol bags for each of my 1911's-22, 9mm, 38 Super, 45. Same with different colored CaseGard ammo boxes for each caliber. Any help I can get to match up the right guns and ammo.
Just had to wait a few months to get a couple of Coyote colored bags for my 45's from Midway. Rested a couple of pistols during that time so I wouldn't forgetfully use the wrong ammo.