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Never happened to me personally, but I did see a guy give his ramrod a good thump with his palm when loading it. The butt was on a paved street at a small town shoot. Ramrod, ball and burnt powder through his hand. Didn't break any bones, the ramrod must've pushed them aside, but a .58 leaves a helluva hole. Not much blood either as it was cauterized.

First off... Glad no one was hurt. That's the main thing. I heard the same thing happening many years ago. A old shooting buddy I know claims it happended to him. He had leaned his charged rifle, although the pan was clear, against something out on a range, and it tipped over and went off. No one was hurt, but it sure scared the devil out of him. I believed him.

As for ramrods "tm" there is a fellow I know, that we still kid. He was shooting and was loading his in-line. He was interupted during the process when someone came out to watch him shoot. Well needless to say, he forgot to take the ramrod out of the rifle. When he touched it off, the recoil knocked him flat on his backside and black and blued his shoulder. We never let him forget this. When we see him we always mention that Cabela's has a special on ramrods if you buy six or more. It always makes him smile.. Just glad no one was hut there also...

I use a ramrod with a big plastic knob on the end of it. Also, when you load your rifle,you should have your hand around the rod, not over it. Did you ever watch someone load a cannon?

I new some guys years ago that were going around with a small cannon in the back of there truck. they were loading it with paper and touching it off(one heck of a boom). Well the one guy wasn't paying attention and blew 1/2 of his A$$ off. Now when people see him they ask if he is still doing things half a$$ed...

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My flintlock did fire once with no powder in the pan - the cock slipped as I was bringing it back to half-cock, and the frizzen was closed on an empty pan. I guess a spark bounced through the touchhole! Now, that's a well-adjusted lock!!

Keep yore powder dry!!