April 28th 2022Cleaning Rod In Barrel Caused Catastrophic.338 LM Kaboom
CLICK HERE to zoom the image. This story was first published a few years ago. This story is being republished today to remind our readers that safety should always be their top concern at the range. Avoid distractions and make sure to check your barrel for any obstructions before you chamber a shot or pull the trigger. Unpredictable events can occur if you are not paying attention. What happens when a.338 caliber bullet fired and a cleaning rod attempt to occupy the same spot at the same time. You get a kaboom with metal pieces flying everywhere and a shooter lucky to escape with minor injuries. According to Queequeg, a Sniper’s Hide member, this incident took place in Manatee, Florida. We are grateful to SnipersHide.com, for allowing us to publish these shocking images in the Daily Bulletin. CLICK HERE to see more Kaboom information from the ‘Hide.
This story should serve to remind you to be safe at the range. Before loading a live round, make sure you check the bore for obstructions.
Queequeg, a member of Sniper’s Hide, recently published shocking photos showing a calamity involving a.338 Lapua Magum (Savage attack). The action was blown from the rifle, shrapnel travelled through the roof, and then the barrel split at its tenon. The action cracked in the front, but the lugs held the bolt in place so it didn’t slam to its rear (fortunately for the shooter). Al, Ren, and I were there along with a few others. Ren was at bench 12. I was at 13. The fellow at 11 was running the Savage.338 Lapua. He had a terrible day! He could have killed Ren and himself, he was certain. “Queeqeg said: “After the boom, Ren asked Ren ‘Are your alright?’ and then turned to see Ren react in shock. He was literally stunned. Ren and I went to him and found no major injuries. Ren was also uninjured, but had a lot fiberglass splinters. I believe the barrel nut punched the holes in the roof. The shooter is a regular there. Although he had been having trouble with sticky cases, he stated that he was sure the loads were mild. He was happy to remove the sticky cases with the rod. After removing the last stick case, he forgot to take the rod out. Here’s what happened next. “To learn more about the incident, visit the original Snipers Hide Forum thread. You’ll find additional details and four pages of discussions. The Important Lesson Here
What was the mistake of the.338 LM shooter? You’ll say, “Well that’s obvious. He left a cleaning rod in his barrel and then shot a bullet.” Yes, it was a potentially fatal mistake. He made a second mistake, but it was only because he didn’t recognize the problem with his ammunition. He would still have a rifle and a clean pair of trousers if he had listened to the warning signs. A warning light should have been lit in his head when he noticed that he was having trouble extracting cases. Assuming that his extractor was in good condition and that the chamber was properly cut, he should be able to extract his brass even if he was using safe loads. This is the lesson we all need to remember: If you notice a serious issue with ammo, it is time for you to stop shooting. Do not try to find workarounds to extend your range. If there are clear signs of something wrong, it is time to stop shooting.
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