I would not want to be holding a 12 gauge (any gauge!) shell in my hand if it were to go off.
I agree with that thought. In reality, one would have a hard time setting it off. The only way I can imagine setting one off 'in my hand' is to hold it in one hand and apply a heat source (match, cigarette lighter, soldering iron, etc) to the primer with the other hand. Which is pretty intentional.
Even then, the resulting 'explosion' would be rather disappointing. Shotgun shells (or rounds, since I think in metallic terms) are loaded to a rather low pressure level. Without the confinement of a chamber and barrel, the primer would most likely pop out and perhaps the crimp on the front end would open up and largely spill the pellets and wad. I doubt one would obtain much ballistic action.
J-Bar said:
Older children can sometimes be secretive and experimental (I once found a pack of cigarettes at one grandparent’s home and a bottle of whiskey at another... consequences of which were predictable)...
No one likes a pukey drunk. The keys to the automobile would be far worst in my estimation.
J-Bar said:
...so there might be concern if an ignorant child were to hammer the primer, etc.
Hammering on the primer end is reasonably ineffective. The face of the primer and the face of the shell are even, so all the force would be absorbed by the shell itself with little force to the primer. If the shell were held in the other hand, the other arm would likely absorb most of the impact in being moved. One would either have to lay the shell down on the floor (cement would work best) and then hit the upper side of the head in order to crush the primer. Even then, one would have to flatten the rim on either side before transmitting much force to the primer. Or one could hold the shell in the off hand and use a nail to transfer energy from the hammer to the pin. But I don't have three arms; I've tried and haven't succeeded.
I am sure kids have managed to set off loose rounds and started themselves and probably scared their parents silly. Probably with little physical result but a great concern of the parents - ignorant of the reality - who fear 'what might have happened'.
J-Bar said:
Of course the hysteria is an over reaction...
Well put, sir.)
J-Bar said:
...but you have to admit the shell should have been more securely stored.
The original poster said the shotgun shell had fallen underneath the bench. As if the original poster stored them loose on the floor. Your comment is quite similar to 'you should have spelled the word correctly". Yes, people should spell words correctly and store ammunition correctly, but life happens and things do not always go according to plan. To foresee the connection between an accident - unless you think the poster knew the shell was 'there' and elected to ignore it - and the visit of an irrational relative is a bit over presumptuous.
J-Bar said:
You have (had?) the opportunity to thank your relative for finding the shell...
Probably good manners.
J-Bar said:
...then hopefully educating said relative with a trip to the range. Good luck!
Go to the range? With all those dangerous
guns? Just waiting to kill a good, non-thinking Democrat?
Actually, that would be a good idea, but I doubt if the idea or offer would go very far.
