sniper
09-03-2021, 07:10 PM
After a long absence due to Covid and other roadblocks, I finally decided to to make a range trip! My wife had bought me a 10-visit range pass for Father's day.:smile:
The .22s were running about thumbnail size groups at 50 yards, no matter what I stuffed in them, so I decided to go to the Pistol range.
My 357 Match Champion had smoothly run about a half-box of my reloads, when I decided to try some loads I had made up using full Wadcutters. A couple went off like they were supposed to, but when I pulled the trigger on the new batch, nothing! The Revolver was locked tighter than a Frog's Fanny! (That is a southern thing!);)
The barrel-cylinder gap was clear, but neither I nor any of the range officers had ever seen anything like it. Needless to say, I was upset!
I packed up and went home, with a fully-loaded, totally locked up 357 Magnum in the back seat! I called a local business' Gunsmith and explained the situation.
I figured this is gonna cost me something, so I pulled a Benjamin from my stash and was on my way. My wife saw I was really upset, so she volunteered to drive me. She was right!
I walked into the shop. He looked about 17, but was probably a Marine Corps Armorer, and in 30 seconds he had it unlocked, and showed me how to do it, should it happen again.
He explained that the primer had backed out, jamming the gun. I asked "What do I owe you?" He said "Nothing." I was relieved, amazed, astonished and overwhelmed! When any of my guns ever need repair, I know where to send them!
Later that evening, I pulled some bullets and discovered the cartridge didn't have any powder in it! 5 out of the 12 I had loaded for testing the new load didn't either. Really, REALLY angry with myself! Then I broke my Bullet Puller! :cry:
Soooo...even after 40+ years of reloading, stuff can still happen. Check, re-check, and check again. Never assume NUTTIN!
Thanks for letting me rant a bit!
The .22s were running about thumbnail size groups at 50 yards, no matter what I stuffed in them, so I decided to go to the Pistol range.
My 357 Match Champion had smoothly run about a half-box of my reloads, when I decided to try some loads I had made up using full Wadcutters. A couple went off like they were supposed to, but when I pulled the trigger on the new batch, nothing! The Revolver was locked tighter than a Frog's Fanny! (That is a southern thing!);)
The barrel-cylinder gap was clear, but neither I nor any of the range officers had ever seen anything like it. Needless to say, I was upset!
I packed up and went home, with a fully-loaded, totally locked up 357 Magnum in the back seat! I called a local business' Gunsmith and explained the situation.
I figured this is gonna cost me something, so I pulled a Benjamin from my stash and was on my way. My wife saw I was really upset, so she volunteered to drive me. She was right!
I walked into the shop. He looked about 17, but was probably a Marine Corps Armorer, and in 30 seconds he had it unlocked, and showed me how to do it, should it happen again.
He explained that the primer had backed out, jamming the gun. I asked "What do I owe you?" He said "Nothing." I was relieved, amazed, astonished and overwhelmed! When any of my guns ever need repair, I know where to send them!
Later that evening, I pulled some bullets and discovered the cartridge didn't have any powder in it! 5 out of the 12 I had loaded for testing the new load didn't either. Really, REALLY angry with myself! Then I broke my Bullet Puller! :cry:
Soooo...even after 40+ years of reloading, stuff can still happen. Check, re-check, and check again. Never assume NUTTIN!
Thanks for letting me rant a bit!