Worth a listen, just might save you....

[@allanarndt3047]

I too have a story worth passing on which happened many years ago at a public shooting range just before deer hunting season when everyone was rushing to check the sighting of their rifle? I had just arrived at the range as an ambulance was leaving,I asked what had happened thinking someone had a heart attack or something? Turned out a rifle had exploded possibly from a grossly over pressure load or barrel blockage? The result was upon firing the rifle, the bolts locking lugs sheared,the bolt exited to the rear driving itself into the shooters face just below his eye socket! Luckally the shooter lived & kept his right eye but was forever disfigured! Your story brought to mind just how careful all of us who handload need to be. Thanks for the reminder!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yes another good reminder of the power at hand, thanks Allan, Cheers

[@victorbarnett8207]

Familiarity breeds contempt.... Thank you for your diligence in bringing this lesson to light. Your commitment to educating us is a blessing to the community.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers Vic

[@robertthomas3777]

Invaluable info enriched with experience, wisdom and commonsense. We can’t hear this enough.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Rob, Cheers

[@michaelkjrgaardsrensen9532]

Thank you Mark for these wise words and the story. I myself work in the hunting industry and have been for almost 25 years. I have contact with a very respected gunsmith on a daily basis and the message is, common sense and awareness is what you live by, especially when handling guns. Best regards, Michael, Denmark, Scandinavia.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Mike, Cheers and all the best.

[@richardbest6588]

Well worth listening. I'm a novice shooter, and was sitting beside a much more experienced friend a few months back as he was zeroing his rifle. He had a misfire, and to my amazement he almost immediately opened the action and ejected the round into the palm of his hand, examined it and discarded it. I kept quiet because I assumed he knew better than me. I won't hesitate to speak up in future! Thanks to you both!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Hi Richard, yes he should know better, but we all need reminders, we humans forget stuff all the time, Cheers

[@castortroy365]

Quite often a new shooter is safer than an old hand.. no doubt you’d been researching it to death to make sure you do everything safely. Often seasoned shooters will have the ‘she’ll be right’ attitude.

[@kurtcooper3699]

Great video. Safety & common sense saves lives. Be blessed.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Kurt, Cheers

[@paddyboy557]

It was good to hear that story, make you more aware especially the slow burner. Excellent videos all the Best to yourself and the Mrs.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Paddy, Cheers

[@manyhammers5944]

Thanks! It's good to be reminded of this stuff to combat complacency.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@Leverguns50]

This is super important we all need to remember that if it sounds or feels off check the bore before you fire the next shot, thank you for reminding us

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Man, Cheers

[@rowdyrogers8865]

Love you guys. Just enjoy the show in general but i have also learned SO much from you guys as well. Thanks so much. Good luck down there on the other side of the world. Id spend a month of paychecks to be able to come shoot with you guys. Im not only impressed with your knowledge and experience, but just down-right raw TALENT.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks you Rowdy, glad you like man, Cheers

[@MrRanggong]

I wholeheartedly agree about learning from others mistakes by the telling of the story with all the details. News networks dont give any details anymore so no one has any idea how to stay safe or how to not repeat the same mistake as the person that makes the news.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Man, Cheers

[@Rundu1987]

Over 30 years of hunting has taught me to be very safety-conscious. One of the most dangerous places is getting on and off a vehicle. One year a 21 year old lad got onto the back of a pick-up with his sporterised Lee-enfield cocked and ready to go! We very politely warmed his ears and made the rifle safe after I saw him lean on the barrel end to steady himself during a pretty rough drive.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@billy19461]

Mark everyone needs to see and hear this video! Thanks!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Billy, Cheers

[@20arda07]

Thanks mate! Your the only straight shooter I know that exists in this money driven world of ours. Keep up the good work and keep on telling us more please!!!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Jahn, cheers

[@shalinlalla9533]

Thank you Mark. I didn’t hear about slow burn before so this is something that really was important for me to learn about. Thank you so much for this video.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@redscorpion3]

Thank you, sir. Been complacent (lazy) lately. Not good. Your reminder is priceless. Again, thank you for taking the time and effort in making this safety reminder.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Man, Cheers

[@ericwilliams2317]

Obvious, but invaluable safety advice! I think like you about Health & Safety. I'm old school and I still assume that pretty much everything is a hazard until "I'm" satisfied its not. Unlike in todays world where everyone just blunders around assuming, or expecting, that someone else has sorted out all the dangers for them. I said the same thing to a H&S rep at work a year or so ago.....boy, did I get a look from her!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yep, those folks do tend to think there way is the only way, lol, Cheers

[@greghart6310]

Good to share stuff like this. Sailplanes pilots share all the time, no recrimination or judgements, it's just done to educate others on what can go wrong. So good call making this video, all people involved in potentially dangerous activities should share their bad experiences in the interests of education.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Greg, Cheers

[@danielnilsson9198]

I know a guy who told me the same story. Caliber was 243 win. He fortunately had a fluted barrel so the barrel cracked open along the barrel, opened it up like a banana and the most pressure went out that way instead of backwards. And i witnessed in a shooting contest a guy (8x57) who got this strange bang in the middle of his 5 shot serie. He took out the bolt and discovered a bullet left stuck 6 inch in the barrel. He had his 5 year old son with him sitting in the audience that day, I'm so glad he didnt repeted than rifle for another round. Thanks for reminding us. Cheers.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks for the stories, glad you liked, Cheers

[@260nob9]

Cheers Mark, Very smart words and I have experienced exactly this with the fireworks ect.. and fortunately it was only a 17HMR and shudder of the thought of this happening with a lager cal. As you said the prior round didn't sound or feel right and there was no impact on target. Thanks and spreed the word to others... Keep safe..

[@markandsamafterwork]

Hi Dave, yes lucky it was the little fella, still would have run a chill down you, thanks for the comment, cheers and all the best.

[@gunslinger7647]

A message well presented. We as humans, forget. Great reminder. I hope it attracts attention and makes shooters THINK. Well said.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers Man, Thanks

[@timjohnson2731]

Great video Mark. Complacency is usually the culprit in these scenarios.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@hbudsmalley6317]

Very good advice Mark. It is certainly worth sharing.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@HansFormerlyTraffer]

It never hurts to hear more of these stories. Another one I heard is about a nasty explosion of a Browning A5 12GA shotgun. The guy was shooting skeet with reloaded shells. One didn't go off so he he hand ejected it and the next round left him with two bloody arms and one less hand and a face full of blood. No one could figure out what happened. After investigating they found that the ejected dud shell actually separated and only the brass came out. He saw something fly out when he hand ejected but failed to see that it was only the brass. The full charged load was still in the chamber. It pushed forward as the next round seated and ...bang.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Hi Hans, well that is another good story albeit a not so happy ending, more to show how careful and thorough we need to stay, Cheers

[@paulsimmons5726]

Every firearm has a certain sound when it's fired and the sound are unique to that particular gun. That being said, if the firearm makes an odd sound and/or recoils differently... Stop and completely inspect the gun, especially to make sure the barrel is totally clear. If you spend enough time on the range, you may be a witness to something that could lead to the type of accident that occurred with this fellow. Always stop and make sure the firearm is 100%. Thanks for posting, we all need to be reminded of what can happen when things go wrong. Never worry about the time being safe cost you, a trip to the ER will cost more time anyway you look at it. Thanks for sharing this reminder! Take care!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Paul, yes you are very right, stop and check, even in the winning match, not worth not being sure, Cheers and all the best.

[@NautiRulz]

Thanks for bringing this up. I do get very concerned when I don't see a chrony reading or a new bullet hole on paper after firing. Very important lesson you mentioned - "doing familiar tasks in an unfamiliar situation". Keep up the good work. Cheers.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Max, yes can get us all, Cheers

[@willo7734]

Glad the guy was ok. Thanks for the reminder. I’d call myself an intermediate shooter and this is the level where it’s easy to start getting complacent.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers Will

[@phillipn2522]

Thanks Mark. As I beginner myself I appreciate this advice. This is also something I hadn’t heard before so again thanks.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@jeffabernathy1670]

Right on. An ounce of prevention, as the old saying goes, is worth a pound of cure!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Lol, yep, Cheers

[@bornodnoc1034]

Watching this channel is so helpful to me. Thanks M&S, keep on rocking in the free world.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers Man, Thanks

[@rainbow2710]

Thank you for the useful advice. Whenever I feel something is not right, I usually remove the bolt and peek down the barrel. I had an acquaintance of mine fatally injured when he had a hang fire in a pistol and started wondering around with the gun. Bullet went right through his heart and exited barely missing the range officer. Sad story.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yes, sure is, thanks Jon, Cheers

[@zachariahgemmill753]

Good reminders! Thanks for sharing this experience. Putting a 243 together for my wife this is a great video for her also ,as a newer shooter. Thanks again.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers Zack, Thanks

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

A long time ago, a friend of mine and myself were dove hunting. Don't know what happened, weak crimp, no or reduced powder charge, or something else. He shot at a bird and the shot just kinda limped out the barrel. I told him that he should inspect the barrel for a possible obstruction. He just laughed it off. The next shot through that barrel bulged it. Turns out that the wad was stuck in the barrel. Nobody was hurt, but a beautiful AYA double was ruined.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks for the example, Cheers

[@pseudopetrus]

Love your philosophy on learning and growing aware which for reasonable people makes our lives safer. Shame so many people today don't want to take personal responsibility they just want someone else to have that responsibility..... Kept like sheep!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yep, the sheeple like it that way, Cheers

[@rickf5615]

Mark, Very, VERY good advice! I have experience a hang fire personally that hung long enough that it went off after ejection and hit the ground! That was a 30-06 round and a LOT of people checked their shorts that day. Have had a few duds since then and I wait a full 30 seconds and I sweat the whole time I have hold of the bolt. The other experience was not mine but I was the one to intervene. I was at the range and I was reloading and a guy was shooting his AR-15 a couple tables down, I heard the pop instead of the BANG and I looked up to see him manually eject the casing and rack in a new round and that is when I started yelling to cease fire. He kind of looked at me with a blank stare, he did keep it down range, and I told him to lay it down, which he did. Of coarse everyone stopped at the yelled cease fire so all were looking at me trying to find out what happened. I told him to safe the weapon and pull the mag and then eject the round. he asked why and I said I was pretty sure he had one in the barrel. He did all of the above and we opened it up and yep, halfway down was the bullet. He had never been in the military and had never had any real training, he just bought the gun and joined the range! WAKE UP CALL!!!!!!!! He even asked me if the next bullet wouldn't just push that one out! I said it would, out the top, sides and bottom as the barrel exploded maiming all around him. I never saw him at the range again.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Hi Richard, well done, and yes you can see why some ranges have basic firearms courses to explain the fundamental's before anybody can participate, all makes more sense when you can even get a question like will it just push the other bullet out? But we all have learn some how, better to do that while keeping all your figures, Cheers and all the best.

[@jamesvicary6884]

You sound like youd be a great boss. Cause of safely not safety

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yeh, I do like common sense and that works well for some, I don't play well others....Cheers

[@Happy-Trails-To-You]

Excellent video. Gun safety is almost never discussed in gun videos. Learning from real life stories like this is much more meaningful than the normal safety messages.Thanks for doing this.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Gary, Cheers

[@bee17167]

Was doing a comp and fired a round and didn't register at the target and thought maybe be i didn't reload a new round i went to chamber a fresh round then remembered i should clear my rifle first to be on the safe side i pulled my bolt on my 308 and seen no daylight a projectile was stuck in the barrel i used a cleaning rod and pushed it out was in the lands i had missed a powder charge and the primer had enough energy to push the projectile i didn't realize a shot was even fired as no recoil or sound with other shooting at the same time close call now i pull the bolt every time now better safe than sorry always clear you rifle and stay safe.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@AllNighterHeider]

It's now uncommon sense and or common nonsense. Thanks for the video, this message of be safe will never get old.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@jamesvicary6884]

Had the same thing happen in a 22lr about 2months ago. Was going just fire another round but i thought i better see if i can see light thru barrel. I removed bolt looked thru could not see light thru barrel. Thought shit that was lucky

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yep, well done, Cheers

[@bobwiese6128]

Thanks for this excellent reminder to remain vigilant always... Peace..

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Bob, cheers

[@donbarile8916]

Excellent view of safety, as opposed to learning by any rote method. Thanks so much for sharing this story. Experience is something that is very difficult to teach.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Aint that the truth, Cheers

[@gristlepounder]

I've had a squib 3 times (over many years) and had to clear the bullet each time. Heard it twice. Didn't hear it 3rd time. My son did hear it and told me. He was right.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Good thing too, Cheers

[@laz85234]

thanks for sharing the story. I'm just getting into reloading an that one of the thinks might happen if I wont be careful. As always all that comes back to basic safety steps. Thank you.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@nolancn60]

I've always believed common sense is what is common to you. Most people are not well rounded anymore. Love your vids here in the US. Cannot wait to see your future projects or words of wisdom

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Man, cheers

[@paulholznagel6101]

Very good information. Thx for sharing

[@markandsamafterwork]

cheers

[@MrSjcod]

Excellent video. Good to be reminded of these things every so often. Since i am fairly new to reloading, this was very beneficial for me. Thank you.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Steve, cheers

[@grayman7208]

good discussion.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@shermankearns200]

Great video 📹 👍 BTW. Safety first. Life is precious ✨ 😌 💖 ❤ 💕

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@Rico11b]

In most Nato Military training it's referred to as a, "pop & no kick". Also more times than not, it's not the shooter that gets most of the damage, it's the others that are standing nearby that tend to get most of the shrapnel peppered on them. If you've shot enough to heat up the barrel a bit, then wait for the barrel to cool down before opening the bolts. Which will be much more than 10 seconds. :)

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@null2405]

The Birmingham (UK) Proofhouse has a museum full of examples of where this has happened, the most bizarre version was a shotgun where this had happened, and upon investigation it had turned out a mouse had crawled into the barrel while it had been briefly put down! Never can be too careful.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yeh, there are some scary stories around this stuff, Cheers

[@smuckwap]

We call that a "squib", here, the most dangerous of the three types of ammo failures: The first is a misfire, a bullet that just doesn't fire, even after repeated tries. The second is a hangfire, a perceptible delay between click and bang. I always teach that is the gun fails to fire you should wait 30 seconds before doing anything, with the gun pointed down range. I tell them if they don't have a watch, sing The Star Spangled Banner, and right when they get to "And the rockets' red glare" they're at about 30 seconds. VERY IMPORTANT VIDEO, still enjoy all your stuff!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Ed, Cheers

[@steverowe2943]

Sage advice. I have experienced a squib in a handgun (factory round) and it certainly was a different feeling, sound, and failed to cycle. A shooter at the opposite end of the range also noticed it sounded different. Certainly enough, a bullet was lodged about 1.5" into the barrel.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@kenycharles8600]

Not to take away from this information but to add to it. Jerry Miculek has an excellent demonstration on his channel where he destroys 12 shotgun and some barrels and an action by plugging the barrel. It is a very entertaining and educational demonstration in firearms safety and what happens when a barrel gets obstructed. I had heard what happens, but Jerry can afford to show it happening in real time and in slow motion. You do not want to be near this kind of devastation when it happens. Thank you for putting the word out on this safety advice.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@n6mz]

THANK YOU.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@LarryeWhite61]

Oh, the problems 1 can have when not paying attention doing reloading. Been doing just 1 size of handguns loads for just about 3 yrs now. Rechecking powder after every 25th round and use my caliper to double ck OAL and after 100 are reloaded I test cycle 10 rounds thru my pistol 1 round out each row in my storage boxes.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yeh that can help, doesn't change the fundamentals of what to do when shit happens, cause no matter what, shit happens...….Cheers

[@LarryeWhite61]

@@markandsamafterwork agreed

[@samhenderson2947]

Ouch. That's a good reminder.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@kylewalton7005]

seen squid loads in two pistols but luckily never seen someone have one in a rifle. one was a keltech pmr. pretty much blew up the top of the chamber. second was a smith and wesson m&p and that just swelled up the barrel. i miss working at a range and seeing the crazy situations people get them selves into.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@ChuckBeefOG]

In Canada they tell you that after you clear your weapon to stare down the barrel with the action open, or “PROVE” it safe. I always thought that was a senseless thing to do, but know it is all too clear as to why it is a great idea.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@danielmiller2977]

I love this stuff. Great info. Thanks!!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@charlesloveday9208]

Thanks again for all your help and support... I'm sure surprised that the guy didn't know something was going on. Maybe he didn't have the experience to know what was going on... but, I'm still wondering why he fired the second time!!. In the comments, there's one where the guy checked to see if he could see light through. I've checked the barrel when I thought that there was a difference in the shot. I knew something was different and I checked... all it was, was a different round and being a part time shooter and I knew to check things out.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Hi Charles, easy to think we will know better, but sometimes we are not thinking clearly, distracted, shit is going down, or in this case being unfamiliar and not much to pick up on, so our needs vigilance to keep on what we need to do, telling these stories helps, Cheers

[@br4713]

At a range I've seen someone who has forgotten a cleaning rod in his barrel (222 remington). We first saw strange smoke but it took few seconds for the shooter to understand what happened. The bullet was stuck at few inches of the end of the barrel. Fortunately nobody were injured but we found the cleaning rod at 90 yards close to the target !

[@markandsamafterwork]

No doubt that event has been repeated many times from around, not always so painless, Cheers and all the best

[@walterwjr947]

All I can say.... thanks mate! Cheers!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@rufturbo997]

Something similar: I was using a laser bore sighting tool on an original Ruger 77 in 22-250 and hadn't noticed that the interchangeable plastic sizing nub was no longer attached when I removed the bore sighter. First shot ruptured the barrel and end of the mannlicher stock. No damage to me but Ruger told me there were no barrels or stocks available anymore. Ruined a very nice and rare rifle. I got in touch with company that produced the bore sight and showed them pictures and suggested the make the sizing nubs a brighter color than stem of the tool. After several weeks, they wrote me back and told me they didn't think it was necessary. I don't buy anything Bushnell anymore.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks for the story, Cheers

[@charlesmckinley29]

Thanks for the reminder.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@billbee235]

Last year I watched a gentlemen blow up his 30-06 at my local range and he had to go to the hospital. Lost a few teeth 🦷 and had some nasty lacerations to the face. Believe he was several grains over max at the least. Reloading definitely needs to be respected. If you ever join some of the online reloading forums it’s scary to read some of the shit people do. That said, NEVER take reloads from strangers 😆

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yes, a healthy respect is the key, Cheers

[@bryanst.martin7134]

Wisdom is often learned the hard way. Learning through others is less painful.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yep,.Cheers

[@valkyries-mi2sx]

I was working on a range while studying and i had a guy loading a .338 winmag into a .300 weatherby chamber ...! Blaser 93, in this case the the barrel squizzed the bullet down to the thinner diameter and the projectile arrived at the target, but the action was permanently weldet with brass. Pressure was that high that all the brass was flowing back into the action...

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@phil20_20]

At Lilja Barrels, they put a saw cut at the last inch of the barrel so you can't use the spindle part at the end. That sounds like a possibility if the I.D. was already oversized at the end. The bullet could have gotten a nasty twist that got it hung up in the suppressor. Gotta trim that last inch off.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@paraglidingnut26]

Great info!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@brunoterlingen2203]

Too right: the "plastic bubble" will kill us all eventually, figuratively speaking that is - glad you are willing to be up-front with common sense Mark.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Bruno, Cheers

[@Brandon-zs4zf]

If you mistakenly do not put gunpowder in a load the primer itself is powerful enough to send the bull it several inches down the barrel which lab lead to disaster if ya don’t Check . It happened to me 1 time but luckily I felt the difference in the gun and checked had to take a rod and nock the tip out the barrel with could have been what happened here but another load was chambered and fired .

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yep, Cheers

[@zachwalden317]

I wonder what the charge weight was on the 9th shot?

[@markandsamafterwork]

Or what the issues was, more than one possibility, but all the same, what happened after is where it gets all too real, Cheers

[@shermankearns200]

We call 📞 that a Squib round and yes they are extremely dangerous. Many reloading enthusiasts have missed a charge at one point or another in their career. This is also why rapid fire is frowned upon at many ranges.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yep, Cheers

[@paulhatch7759]

Good vid . Pics of failed components would be interesting.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@crafter170]

Hmm.very interesting and educational.Reloading subs can be dodgy too if trying to get speed too low .Every day is a school day.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@henryhenry5897]

I shoot a few round on the range, now somehow I had a “dummy round” a brass with a bullet no powder no primer in it. I shot, click nothing happens I wait open action here’s a brass no bullet I scratch my head didnt even get what was happening anyhow I checked barrel sure I shoved in a bullet into the lans ( dummy round wanted to check my jump few days ago... if I shoved in a other loaded round maybe I couldn’t close the bolt or I wouldn’t shoved the bullet into rifling and that would be dangerous I was pretty shocked how quick something could go wrong but cautiouns always helps. Nice video

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers Henry, thanks

[@linklesstennessee2078]

Very good advice

[@markandsamafterwork]

cheers

[@dingodave3966]

This episode should be on repeat mate. Complacency is something I bet we all suffer from on occasion. Commonsense, oh dear don’t get me started…

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Dave, Cheers man

[@jasonbrohipower4157]

Amen Brother!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@tonyk438]

As a new handgun shooter I had a round jam in the chamber. I was lucky. It jammed such that the next round would not feed. I had brown pants once I realized what had occurred. Round felt normal to me but I saw no hit on the target. I thought it was just me. I'm a little paranoid now. Anything that feels light or no new hit on target I check.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@dragonflyfab8982]

Two young men were having problems chambering their rifle. They asked if I could help. Investigating I found some unusual swage marks on the .223 case and suspected a 300blk chamber. Funny thing was there was no chamber markings any where on the barrel. How many different rounds can go in an AR, could it be maybe 10? Gunsmith problem!!!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks for the story, yes a few issues there, "always check", cheers

[@stephenland9361]

My brush with danger occurred while deer hunting with my Parker Hale 1200 in .243 Win. I reload. I weigh out each powder charge and always check the powder load in the brass before seating the bullet. I do 20 at a time and look into each case to see that the level of powder is the same. I spotted a deer at about 75 yards, aimed and fired. Instead of a satisfying 'CRACK' and a deer going down, I got a wimpy 'pop' and the deer looked at me unconcerned then ran off. It sounded more like a .22 Short than a .243 Win. I have no idea why that happened. I did think to check my barrel and it was clear so the bullet did leave the barrel. There wasn't any unburned powder in it either. Despite my care, perhaps I did throw a deficient load. I still don't know. Every other cartridge from that batch performed as expected. When I met up with my hunting partner, he commented that he thought he heard a .22 go off but 'didn't see anybody'. The Mule Deer buck had unusually narrow antlers that I described. He had seen that buck before. We checked the area where the deer was standing and where it ran off but found nothing to indicate a hit.

[@markandsamafterwork]

thanks for the story Stephen, Cheers

[@SDMacMan]

Hey Mark. Do you know if primers are sealed against moisture? I've had a box of primers that haven't always been stored under the most ideal conditions over a period of about 4 years. I'm wondering if I should chuck them and get new ones when I start reloading again.

[@LostPilotage]

Raw primers are not sealed. Some loaded ammunition is sealed. I would recommend just buying new primers if you are uncertain. Having a loaded round with a primer that has been struck is no fun. You can strike the primer again, but if it doesn't go off, now you have a round which you can't safely do anything with but dispose in a fire or bury.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Hi Man, Brett is correct, primers are not sealed, and if not kept totally dry, better just get some more, Cheers

[@stuartsmith4882]

I got back into reloading after about a 7 year gap. Stupidly when I started again I used the old primers, 1 in 5 will not go off, good primer strike, tried second fire on 2 of them to see if it was a primer seating issue. After 3 not going off out of 13 or 14 rounds I’ve now disassembled the rest of them, burnt the powder and soaked all the primers.

[@triptideom]

Over the years I've had two guns go off while i was holding them. A friend's Colt revolver and father in law's Remington 700, finger nowhere near the trigger and pointed in a safe direction, thankfully. Reminders are good, stuff happens. Thanks I've noticed you have a few videos about long range calibers and cartridges, do you have a favorite action or two? Or do you have an opinion about accuracy differences between cold hammer forged and button or cut-rifled barrels. Do you already have a video that I can't find, or is that something you might talk about later. Either way, I appreciate the time y'all take to share.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Thanks Thomas, well no, there are good and bad features, but no favourite's. As for barrels, I have found no actual difference in style of rifling or for that matter brand, although I like the idea of the extra quality control you should get in a cut rifling, I have found that in comparing the good ones in all flavours, cut, buttoned and hammer forged, they all shoot to the same very accurate level, so much more about everything else, Cheers

[@triptideom]

Great, thanks. I appreciate the reply. I have a .243 with a buttoned barrel and a 300winmag hammer forged, love 'em both. I'm in the market for an elk-gun for my daughter and have taken in more information for this purchase than for any other previous gun. There's a lot of information out there by people who talk a lot, and there's a lot of information out there by people who shoot a lot but work for or own an action or barrel manufacturer. There isn't, however, an abundance of information provided by folks that shoot many barreled actions often, but aren't trying to sell one over another. Thanks again

[@markandsamafterwork]

Well the one more thing I can help with, is in my experience the barrel and action if in good order are not really going to influence accuracy as much as folks think, they all shoot way, way better than we (humans) manage most the time, it is really about everything else, chassis/stock, mating, butt stock, weight, platform, load, brass, projectile, etc, etc. Hope that helps, Cheers

[@triptideom]

Yes, thank you. I have a reasonable, but humble understanding about most of those things. I'll probably never try to shoot an animal past 400 yards, in almost 35 years of hunting I haven't yet; and as much hiking as I do chasing deer and elk, lighter is better. No bipods or target barrels and I try to keep optics under a pound with 12× being plenty magnification for woods or broken prairie. I've probably thought and over thought all my gear to death. But, when I was a kid you hunted with a scoped Winchester or Remington bolt in the clear, or a Marlin lever iron sights in the woods. Accuracy depended on the shooter and the ammo, all rifles were considered equal, unless you're German haaha, then you hunted with a Mauser. The rifle market has exploded and there's so much just stuff now, i appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Good to hear the shooter and his loads are still more important than picking one quality gun over another. Thanks again

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@johnbourke7467]

Measure twice cut once good advice

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@freedomlover3834]

You could have easily been like other and ran your mouth, you chose to educate us instead. This is what i love about your show. Keep up the good work!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers Man, thanks

[@jimburnsjr.]

Hand loading is the best for many reasons...cost should be kept low by industry and legislators for many reasons..

[@markandsamafterwork]

OK

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

This is why, after almost a half century of handloading, I weigh EVERY powder charge and visually inspect it. If anything seems off while shooting, I immediately stop and assess the situation. I'm not very keen on having a small grenade go off right next to my face.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Good idea, Cheers

[@RegularGunGuy]

This good advice

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@MrT13]

Pretty damn good barrel if it didn’t banana with a high powered squib. It was only a 6 though.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@thesoggycheeseburgerincide7401]

I've experienced two squib loads and a weird primer fizzle in the last year alone. One I noticed a change in sound so I checked and cleared the obstruction, the other was a primer fire (no powder) that lodged the bullet just far enough into the barrel to keep the next round out of battery. I got lucky on that one. Primer failure> instagram.com/p/B352Z3qFpFC/

[@dragonflyfab8982]

What does a squib load sound like? Describe recoil.

[@LostPilotage]

@@dragonflyfab8982 It depends, but it is a noticably different sound and feel. Typically it is a pop, no bang.

[@thesoggycheeseburgerincide7401]

It's a muffled sound, no supersonic crack as the bullet never leaves the barrel. recoil is drastically less.

[@markandsamafterwork]

You where lucky, and I suspect you have learned to check on any different feel by now, thanks for the comment Cheers.

[@svilenp]

👍

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@visiter127]

Poor fella why I stopped shooting hmr ammo is deadly for this,

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@DakotaDinwoodie]

i couldn't help but think to myself during this video, "Why would he not be running a rod down the bore frequently during the first 10 shots on a brand new barrel, anyway?"

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@baitammo4652]

I had a 12 gauge hunting pheasants with a -10 F wind chill. Had never shot it when it was that cold. First bird I went to shoot it did not fire when I pulled the trigger. I had enough time to lower the gun off my shoulder when it fired. Not a huge deal but could have been if situation was a little different. Too thick of oil around the firing pin and probably a little dirty. Make sure she will operate in cold weather!

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yes, very true, main deal is keep it pointing at target or down range until you know it is safe, Cheers

[@lllllRBlllll]

I want to like this video but it's already at 911 likes and it's perfect as it is.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Lol, cheers

[@Yeoman7]

Squib

[@markandsamafterwork]

Yep, Cheers

[@ericvantassell6809]

blah blah blah handloads blah blah blah many years ago my oldest son was taking his new .44 magnum out for it's first trial. as he was fairly new to shooting I was arms length behind him. he fired two rounds and the 3rd was "off". I stopped him as he was prepping to fire #4 #3 was lodged just past the forcing cone. it could have been a very bad day if I had been a few steps farther away. this was with FACTORY ammo. In the last 10 years or so I've seen two such squib loads in .45 acp.

[@markandsamafterwork]

Cheers

[@teambennett3060]

Shit!

[@markandsamafterwork]

yep, Cheers