What not to do!!

[Bighornbob]

I had a beautiful day to go shoot today. Feb 23 and 59 degrees! I decided to blow out of work to go shoot my 17 Beggs Money Shot for the first time. I had my 8-32x50 NF mounted and ready to bore sight. I bore sighted at the range and fire my first 17 Beggs with 30 gr Berger in front of 25.5 gr of H4895. It pierced a primer. I fired one more with same result. I decided to drop to 25 gr of H4895 but accidentally grabbed the 26 gr cartridges. This is the result! 26 gr blew the head off the 17 Beggs Lapua case. Thank goodness I had my safety glasses on. Let this be a lesson to all. Two things, when the bolt opens hard lighten your charge and pay attention to your choice of cartridge selection! It took about 15 minutes to stop the bleeding enough for me to continue shooting,




Here is the head of the 220 Russian Lapua brass which is still in the bolt face. Notice extractor is missing. It is on it's way back to Marty for repairs.

My pride on the other hand will take longer to repair.
My purpose of this post has been well received and I hope it helps some one, beginner or veteran with range safety. Please don't fire that weapon with out proper eye protection!
I watch people constantly shooting w/o proper safety equipment.
Load development will be less aggressive for me.

BHB

[Song Dog]

That's not the kind of pic I was talking about!
WOW good thing your ok, and having the glasses was a huge plus.

[SShooterZ]

That's gonna be tender in the morning.

Glad you're ok buddy.

[Bighornbob]

The Money Shot is going back to Marty at Twisted Barrel. This explosion blew the Sako extractor, he just installed last week, to areas unknown. I get to pull some bullets for the 17 Beggs. Looks like I will start at 23.5 gr and move up .2 gr at a time.


BHB

[drewh]

Glad you are ok and had glasses on. I see way too many pics of people shooting without.

[GLWenzl]

You are not the first, seen this before but just mentioned the other day That it has been a while.

Glad you are ok and it wasn't worse! Hopefully by you sharing this others will learn from your experience including myself.

Cooper guys beware, that bolt is said to vent the gases right back in your face more so than most.

[jdunham]

Whew! glad you are no worse for wear. Dislike shooting with glasses, but force myself to do it. Especially when working on loads. That picture will make it easier in the future.

[Tparrish]

OUCH
glad it isn't any worse then it is.
Tom

[BadgerBob]

Holy cow, glad your ok, just goes to show that anyone can make a mistake, not like this was your first trip to the range. Good thing thats not black powder or you would have a tattoo for life, my buddy that just past away had a black powder tattoo for the last 30 years.

Like I said anyone can make a mistake its the ones that plan for it that survive (safety glasses).

Thanks for sharing most folks would be embarrassed to post this, I bet it will be on my mind when I next go to the range.

Bob

[Joe O]

Glad your ok Bob.Always wear shooting glasses ,no exceptions.I didn't learn till recently that Cooper actions will blow back into your face,unlike Remington actions.
Last summer I blew 5 primers out of a box of 50,243AI on a PD shoot.Pulled about 250 bullets when I got home,to find 6-7 that were over by 3 grains.Loaded before i got my electronic dispensor.The drum type Hornady threw consistand loads,so I STOPPED CHECKING EVERY 5TH LOAD.BIG Mistake!
The rem action expelled the gasses out the side vents as designed.Yook a small brass hammer to open the bolt.