SmallCaliberCentral

Wasn't sure where to post this so I did it here.
A friend of mine was shooting a .257 STW (Shooting Times Westerner) caliber in a Thompson Center rifle. This is an 8MM Rem Mag. necked down to .257. Don't know what bullet or powder that was used. He had used the same loads hunting and was sitting at the bench when it exploded. He burst both ear drums and had to have stitches and some shrapnel removed from his finger. He also had blood coming out of both ears.The barrel was clean. Don't know exactly what went wrong. Doctor said his ear drums would heal. I don't know any more details than this. Here's what is left of the gun.

Thats one darn lucky man right there!!!! Tell him Good Luck & Get Well Soon!!

Lucky guy. Wish him our best.

hope he gets better soon.what a mess..

Ouch! I hope he has a quick recovery.

Melvin, Sorry to here about your friend getting hurt. I hope he get's better soon.

[quote="Melvin Eades"]
The barrel was clean. Don't know exactly what went wrong. Doctor said his ear drums would heal. I don't know any more details than this. Here's what is left of the gun.

hope all turns out O.K. for your Buddy.
how do you know the barrel was clear. the way the barrel peeled back like a banana makes one wonder how the barrel wasn't obstructed. was this his first shot out of it at the range or was he shooting it awhile. if he was at the bench was he wearing ear protection and still had this problem with his eardrums. just want to know so we can all learn from this .
sportingly
Cracker

Good Lord!

GW

Wow, I'm glad to hear that your friend will be ok. Like others have said, please give us more info when you can. This can be a valuable learning experience for everyone on the forum.

Sorry about your friend! Hope he recovers soon! No fun intended but that would make anyone a little gun shy!

I haven't talked to him directly. I got this info from his son. I wouldn't think he would have that kind of ear damage if he was wearing protection. All I know is the son said the barrel was clean. I'm just relaying what he told me.

I've read of this happening when all appears to be good to go, but the load was a reduced charge of slow burning powder. There have been other cases of detonation that destroyed a rifle under those circumstances.

No telling if this was the situation with this unfortunate fellow's rifle, but I'm glad to hear he's basically still with us, albeit with a little damage. It could have been alot worse.

I'm glad to hear he is still with us as well. He is probably going to have to work real hard to overcome the inevitable flinch problem.

I'll bet he doesn't want an encore of that Encore, after that.

I have found that a case that for some reason hasn't gotten all the powder it should have will build up to much pressure. I sorry about your friends injury be careful when reloading and not only look down the case in the loading block to check they all look the same but way them after wards. I would say that he had gotten a reduced load.