Always always always check !

[DavyG]

I'm sorry but I don't follow the logic. If the squib load has sent the bullet into the barrel then surely the priming compound has done its job. It cannot be fired for a second time.

It didn't.
1st went bang
2nd left the bullet in the barrel
3rd went bang and OP went poop...
DG

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Near miss indeed. There has been much discussion again about the quality of ammunition for this great round most recently on the following thread:-

17HMR Terminal Performance

Sound advice indeed but split cases in the box are a bit of an undeniable counter to Mr H’s broadcast that it must be your gun! That said and despite splits before or after firing the 17 gns are a very accurate round. As an aside I tried a box of 15gns lead free and found that if a mouse sneezed...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

I really do think that sooner or later there will be a serious injury caused by a case similar to this one and the finger will be pointed at the shooter (for not following standard misfire procedure) AND eventually the manufacturer (for continuing to provide ammunition with a history of split cases before and after firing). All too often it is the case that it is less costly for manufacturers to not make expensive changes and compensate potential litigants rather than permanently fix the problem - this is precisely how the 17 HMR issue is starting to shape up.
IMHO It really is high time the industry addressed this WIDELY KNOWN important safety issue BEFORE serious inury occurs.
It will be interesting to hear the outcome of the discussions with the manufacturer, unless of course a “no disclosure” is part of the outcome!

I have been stood in the local RFD when their new rifle was handed over, after the same thing happened.
I have also heard much anecdotal evidence while beating etc. Of rifles failing and non disclosure agreements part of the replacement deal.
I had a 17hmr slot on my ticket for a few years, I never filled it. As every time I thought they’d sorted the ammunition. Someone else blew up a rifle.
If it were a car or washing machine, they would have been all recalled by now I’m sure.
Surely all they had to do was come up with a way to fill after the cartridge was formed to final shape. But it is probably a lot cheaper to use 22wmr machinery till the necking down point of the process.

Absolutely right. And .17 HMR is the only cartridge I have ever had to do this with. Like many, I sold my HMR for this reason.
Nevertheless, I suspect most handloaders have at some point created this very situation by missing a powder charge. I came very close to making the OP's mistake myself two years ago... with a .308. When the rifle went "click" instead of bang, for some reason I thought I'd simply forgotten to eject the previous round, so I chambered another. Fortunately, something in my subconscious made me pause just long enough before touching the trigger for me to re-engage my brain and check. I'm not telling this story to pat myself on the back, only as a cautionary tale. It was a stupid mistake that could easily have resulted in a serious injury in the field and a wrecked rifle, instead of a short pause while I went back to the 4x4 for a cleaning rod and gave myself a good talking to.
Always, always, always check, indeed!

I have missed powder, but never got as far as it leaving the shed. Most of the things like primers missing or occasionally wrong way round. Have been done, but found in the shed before it was a problem.
I have had bullets stuck in the lands. Loading close to the lands and a little bullet creep (slack neck) left a bullet in the rifle. Powder in the mag well and an end to the night.
But I refuse to have a rifle in the cabinet where I feel the need to check every round, and expect to find faulty ones.
I have never had a problem with 22lr and I have fired tens of thousands of them. Sorry but you can keep your 17hmr.

 

[8x57]

It didn't.
1st went bang
2nd left the bullet in the barrel
3rd went bang and OP went poop...
DG

How did the second round leave the bullet in the barrel if it didn't fire. Are you suggesting that the second round was chambered and then extracted unfired leaving the bullet wedged in the leed.
If so it would be very unlikely that the third round could be chambered at all unless a significant amount of force was used to push the lodged bullet sufficiently up the barrel for the third round to be chambered behind it.

 

[DavyG]

How did the second round leave the bullet in the barrel if it didn't fire. Are you suggesting that the second round was chambered and then extracted unfired leaving the bullet wedged in the leed.
If so it would be very unlikely that the third round could be chambered at all unless a significant amount of force was used to push the lodged bullet sufficiently up the barrel for the third round to be chambered behind it.

I'm only going on what I read in the OP.
I wasnae there...
DG

 

[8x57]

Davy I'm obviously reading it slightly differently to you, perhaps because I have read exactly the same scenario many times before so have a pre conceived idea of what I have understood to have happened. Inspection of the head of the 2nd round will give an indication of whether the firing pin made contact with it or not. If unmarked the chain of events that I outlined in post #23 remains a possibility but I am doubtful if this would be the case.

 

[Alantoo]

I'm only going on what I read in the OP.
I wasnae there...
DG

What happened is the head / bullet of the cartridge had come off in the chamber and got pushed down the barrel

Yes I guess it depends whether the OP meant "pushed down the barrel" by the squib or by him chambering the following round.

I also assumed the former in that he hadn't noticed any extra pressure when cycling the next round, but he didn't state it.

Alan

 

[Klenchblaize]

Nevertheless, I suspect most handloaders have at some point created this very situation by missing a powder charge. I came very close to making the OP's mistake myself two years ago... with a .308. When the rifle went "click" instead of bang, for some reason I thought I'd simply forgotten to eject the previous round, so I chambered another. Fortunately, something in my subconscious made me pause just long enough before touching the trigger for me to re-engage my brain and check.

Just one of the primary reasons an on-the-firing-point RCO can never afford to let their guard down.

K

 

[Liveonce]

Evening guys

I have had over 30 years experience and nearly had a major accident this weekend.

I think it is worth posting the details so that even if one person has a similar situation they will think and check

I was out with my .17 HMR. I shot a squirrel - a moment later another appeared so i reloaded and squeezed the trigger - nothing - no fizz / bang - just a click.

Believing i had a mis-fire i left the rifle pointing in a safe direction and after 2 minutes opened the bolt - to discover- an empty case.

I believed this to be the one from the first shot - so ejected this and cycled another

The second squirrel still sat looking so i took aim and again squeezed the trigger.

What followed was the most shock i have ever suffered as the gun made a massive bang and blew out the magazine.

After 5 minutes and the panic has subsided i thought the last round must have had a fault

I recovered this and also scouted on the floor for the magazine and found the previous case. It was still full of powder !

What happened is the head / bullet of the cartridge had come off in the chamber and got pushed down the barrel

I really was lucky and if i had suffered a "misfire" in a shotgun i certainly would have checked the barrel - if i had heard a fizz or small bang i would have checked the barrel - all i would say is if something unexpected is felt/heard/happens - CHECK the barrel before cycling another round or squeezing that trigger !

Please share - and yes i know i should have done but as stated if one person reads this and remembers it if the situation arises i can handle the ridicule because i count myself so lucky to be able to share this with no injuries at all.

This is why I changed to a 17hornet, to many reports of such events or spilt cases, glad you were not injured.

 

[ciscokid]

I suspect the OP's ammo was sitting on the shelf for some time as I have not seen any split neck ( unfired ) 17hmr ammo for some time.
This was my experience of a 17hmr squib about 3 or 4 years ago.
I had a misfire, checked the barrel, found it blocked so packed up shooting and found this.-

The rimfire "primer" had been struck by the firing pin. The photo clearly shows the unburnt powder still in the case, but where was the bullet? The said bullet was about five inches up the barrel, so securely stuck that I had to remove it with a cleaning rod and some taps with a mallet.

The case was split and I imagine the damp got into the powder and formed an un-ignitable lump.

I check with a fingernail the neck of all my 17hmr ammo but have not found any new split cases in the last 2 years. Factory Quality Assurance must have improved a lot in recent times.

 

[Woodsmoke]

Glad the OP is ok! Very relieved indeed to hear it was just a scare and nothing more serious!

I had a .308 misfire once. Good strike on the primer, but no powder ignition even after a 30 second or so wait. When I pulled the bullet the powder was in a damp ball. Seemed as though my case-drying process was at fault in that case, but it taught me a lesson! Never assume anything when it comes to ammunition. If in doubt, check! And then check again

 

[ashray]

this is one of the reasons i sold my 17hmr .you can never trust the ammunition.

 

[NP435]

My logic was I wonder if the primer fired, nothing to lose by testing that case. You cant go wrong with a 204 I love mine. I have had at least 12 or so 22lr that never went bang in years past, good solid pin strike too.

 

[jall55]

Hi chaps
Just to clarify - i honestly did not hear a thing or feel anything - i dont thing anything pushed the head into the barrel - as i dont think anything ignited

I did not have to use any excessive force to close the bolt - if anything i was perhaps more gentle than normal - i am a bit like an ape - because my quarry was still sat on the stump looking at me

Thanks for all your input and well wishes !

 

[long_range_rob]

This didn’t happen with the HMR when the cartridge was launched, I am of the opinion that the brass has been reduced in thickness from the original to say money and that is why the split neck issue has arisen. Can’t prove it but it didn’t happen in the first few years.

 

[8x57]

Hi chaps
Just to clarify - i honestly did not hear a thing or feel anything - i dont thing anything pushed the head BULLET into the barrel - as i dont think anything ignited

I did not have to use any excessive force to close the bolt - if anything i was perhaps more gentle than normal - i am a bit like an ape - because my quarry was still sat on the stump looking at me

Thanks for all your input and well wishes !

You wouldn't have heard it if just the primer ignited sending the bullet up the barrel because all the gases were contained.
If on the other hand you had pushed the offending bullet into the barrel when reloading the following round you most definitely would have felt the difference.

Just glad that you weren't hurt when this happened and hopefully you can get the rifle checked and sorted without too much fuss.

 

[long_range_rob]

A very disconcerting shot

I went out for a bit of evening rabbiting tonight and after waiting for two roe kids to bugged off I finally got on my sticks for the first shot........click! On opening the bolt the case literally popped out under gas pressure, WTF I thought as the "shot" felt very odd. I then removed the bolt...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Just to show it’s not just the HMR to take care with.

 

[jall55]

You wouldn't have heard it if just the primer ignited sending the bullet up the barrel because all the gases were contained.
If on the other hand you had pushed the offending bullet into the barrel when reloading the following round you most definitely would have felt the difference.

Just glad that you weren't hurt when this happened and hopefully you can get the rifle checked and sorted without too much fuss.

Many thanks again !

Right - ok thats perhaps / probably what happened then

The cycling of the 3rd round was no different at all

I will not get involved with this gun again - or indeed calibre and will get it cut up

 

[rms364]

I had a mates browning tbolt blow up on me from much the same reason as op. Yea it frightened the sh*te out of me but no personal injury. Heard of other such instances but have never known anyone receiving injuries( thank God). Has anyone been injured that you know of???

 

[8x57]

While I've heard of many similar incidents with .17hmr rifles I have yet to hear of anyone actually being injured.

 

[jall55]

I was really lucky - it nearly popped my ears !
The magazine came out a god knows how fast too !