when I was stationed in Missouri a civilian work mate asked it I wanted to deer hunt his property. He only wanted something like $20 so I said yes. Got there at o-dark 30 and (wearing orange as required by law) I found a tree to set up under. As daylight came I looked around and saw at least 5, maybe 10 hunters in their orange within my sight even though this was a fairly wooded area. I remained very, very still until sun up then started whistling and made my escape never to hunt his property again.........The difference was I had a barrel with which I could put that slug exactly where I wanted to. I never hunted that land again. (It belonged to a friend, but he let almost anyone hunt it.)
Last squirrel season I dropped a round into the chamber of my 10-22 to load it before heading out to hunt. When I put the round into the chamber it wasn't completely seated. I figured that the bolt would push it into the chamber the rest of the way. Just as I was letting the bolt fly forward I began to reconsider, but it was too late. POW!! I guess the round hung up instead of fully entering the chamber and the resistance was enough for the bolt or extractor to ignite the round resulting in an out of battery ignition. The bullet impacted a few inches from my front truck tire, which was between my friend and me. It would've sucked to have to replace a tire, but it would have sucked even worse to have shot my friend, who was standing a couple feet in front of me. I make sure rounds are fully seated in the chamber now. I never found the casing, but I imagine it was absolutely mutilated.
View attachment 1116123
IIRC the ammo was perfectly clean. The chamber was likely clean as well because I haven't cleaned it since and it looks fine right now. It was a year ago now, but I seem to remember that the round was actually further out from the chamber than in my pic. My theory is that the bullet was the only portion that was in the chamber at the time, leading to the casing sagging a bit due to the lack of support, and when the bolt went forward and pushed against it it bent further, jamming it up until it finally ignited. I've included what I think is a more accurate representation of the position of the cartridge at the time.Usually, that's due to dirty ammo (on the outside) or a chamber that needs to be cleaned. I've seen the condition many times while trying to use .22 ammo that has been laying around in boxes or drawers for awhile.
I don’t blame him for his response. There are idiots out there.1- I was Pheasant hunting with my Dad and 2 friends. the hunting party in the next field over flushed some roosters and took several shots. A second later a pellet hit the right lens of my glasses dead center.
2- an older gentleman I shot trap with for a few years before university told me about his last deer hunt. He was sitting at the base of a large oak tree on a game trail. Later in the morning a Hunter was walking the trail, saw my friend move out of the corner of his eye, pivoted shot from the hip. The slug hit 6” above my friend’s head. He got up took the rifle away from the guy, slammed it against the tree several times breaking it in half. He walked out of the woods and never hunted deer again.
I'm not a big public land hunter, but it's nearly unbelievable how many stories I've heard and read of people shooting at simple noises and movement. I can't fathom someone being that stupid.1- I was Pheasant hunting with my Dad and 2 friends. the hunting party in the next field over flushed some roosters and took several shots. A second later a pellet hit the right lens of my glasses dead center.
2- an older gentleman I shot trap with for a few years before university told me about his last deer hunt. He was sitting at the base of a large oak tree on a game trail. Later in the morning a Hunter was walking the trail, saw my friend move out of the corner of his eye, pivoted shot from the hip. The slug hit 6” above my friend’s head. He got up took the rifle away from the guy, slammed it against the tree several times breaking it in half. He walked out of the woods and never hunted deer again.
I'm not a big public land hunter, but it's nearly unbelievable how many stories I've heard and read of people shooting at simple noises and movement. I can't fathom someone being that stupid.
Young city boys thinking they are going to go hunting. Hunt far, far from the big cities.I'm not a big public land hunter, but it's nearly unbelievable how many stories I've heard and read of people shooting at simple noises and movement. I can't fathom someone being that stupid.
Hunting accidents where people are shot are very rare where I live.