I have been pretty safe over the years with reloading....never had to use any 2x4 or hammer to open any bolt.
However, I have a Factory ammo scary story to tell.
Early in my shooting career, I acquired a Marlin 1893 lever action rifle in 30-30 Winchester.
I purchased a couple of boxes of "Dominion" [C.I.L.] ammunition loaded with the 150 grain "Pneumatic" bullet.
I was in the back forty to see what I could take a potshot at, and noticed a large Hornets nest in a tree growing
in a gulley. I up with my Marlin, and aimed to shoot a hole through that nest, only, no hole!! Thinking I had pulled
the shot, I went to shoot again. When I tried to chamber another round, the lever would not quite close, even with substantial effort.
I opened the action, which ejected the live round, and took a look down the barrel from the muzzle end.
There was light getting through, but only through a small hole about the size of the lead of a pencil.
Could not for the life of me figure it out, so went home and took my cleaning rod to push through the barrel.
Imagine my astonishment to find the complete jacket of the first shot, without any core. It had been lodged
in the barrel just ahead of the throat area, and was preventing the next round from chambering. Fortunately,
It was far enough back to prevent me chambering a new round. I shudder to think what may have happened
if that jacket had been another ¼" into the rifling.
I sent the box of ammo to CIL, with the remains of that defective round, as requested by them.....received a cheque
for sufficient funds to buy several boxes of new ammo.
FWIW, that old Dominion ammo was very good stuff, in the day. This was just one of those things.
Regards, Dave.
However, I have a Factory ammo scary story to tell.
Early in my shooting career, I acquired a Marlin 1893 lever action rifle in 30-30 Winchester.
I purchased a couple of boxes of "Dominion" [C.I.L.] ammunition loaded with the 150 grain "Pneumatic" bullet.
I was in the back forty to see what I could take a potshot at, and noticed a large Hornets nest in a tree growing
in a gulley. I up with my Marlin, and aimed to shoot a hole through that nest, only, no hole!! Thinking I had pulled
the shot, I went to shoot again. When I tried to chamber another round, the lever would not quite close, even with substantial effort.
I opened the action, which ejected the live round, and took a look down the barrel from the muzzle end.
There was light getting through, but only through a small hole about the size of the lead of a pencil.
Could not for the life of me figure it out, so went home and took my cleaning rod to push through the barrel.
Imagine my astonishment to find the complete jacket of the first shot, without any core. It had been lodged
in the barrel just ahead of the throat area, and was preventing the next round from chambering. Fortunately,
It was far enough back to prevent me chambering a new round. I shudder to think what may have happened
if that jacket had been another ¼" into the rifling.
I sent the box of ammo to CIL, with the remains of that defective round, as requested by them.....received a cheque
for sufficient funds to buy several boxes of new ammo.
FWIW, that old Dominion ammo was very good stuff, in the day. This was just one of those things.
Regards, Dave.