I took the Guide Gun, and an odd round of Leverevolution that I found in the .45-70 bin, and headed back to the sand-pit range we have. I had stuffed the round in the magazine, and the loading gate snapped shut, but when I went to work the action, it wouldn't open.
So, after numerous attempts to jiggle it loose, I found a target-clamp to use as a screw-driver and take out the lever. When I did, the cartridge suddenly sprang back, and the primer BARELY missed the ejector...
After muttering under my breath, I reassembled the gun, re-inserted the round through the loading gate, and once again worked the lever - or, rather, tried to work it.
Stuck again...
OK, I'd never really liked those short-brass gummy-tips anyway, so this was WAR; I once again disassembled the gun, careful to keep a finger in place to block the rearward 'slam' lest this time it hit the primer, and after reassembling the gun, slip the round in the chamber directly. OK, now that old water heater tank is gonna get it!
BLAM...!
I walk the 50 yards to the heater tank, glad to be rid of my last Leverevolution round, and can't find any hole. The tank has been shot at for years, though, so sometimes the only sign of a 'hit' is on the rear side you see fresh non-rusted metal. I walk around to the back of the tank and look for fresh metal. . . nope. Hmmm.
There IS a track in the snow at the base of the heater tank, about a foot to the right. THAT does it! I really HATE these stupid gummy-tips; can't even hit a water heater at 50 yards. WHAT JUNK...!
I left the round chambered until I got back to the house, the upon un-chambering, see this split...
The case is even BULGED... If that stupid gummy-tip hurt my Guide Gun, I'm gonna really be ticked off!
Some of you probably already know the problem, but for those who don't yet see what happened...
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I inspect the primer area, and it is pretty flat, so I wonder if the pressure was too much, or what?
What do you guys think...
- a. Obviously those Hornady gummy-tips stink.
b. Something is wrong with my Guide Gun.
c. It's a good thing the manufacturers make things as idiot-proof as they can.
(Actually, this entire event was intentional, and 'staged' as part of an exhaustive and sophisticated effort to teach my son safety by illustrating by example various and sundry things NOT to do. Really. Just like the time with the chain saw. Honest... )