Thread: Casual

Personal experience here. This one ended up with no damage to hunters, but a 5 day walk with a stainless steel walking stick:

Early 90's, did a looong walk through the Ruahines with a couple of other hunters. One had just purchased a brand new SS version of his old favorite: a Rem 22.250.

Took some of his hand loads along as they were 'accurate AF out of the old rifle".

Half way into the journey 3 spikers presented themselves off below us (on the Sawtooth ridge) just before midday. Mate lays the new rifle over his pack as says "watch this boys and weep". Shot was to be a tad over 4 hundy.

Chambers a round and....bolt won't close. As alluded to above, chambers are all different.
Mate gets a tad flustered and bangs bolt closed with fist. Still won't close completely. Then takes to hammering it back open. Finally bolt opens and springs rearward....depositing powder all over the place. Rifle now has a projo stuck in the throat by the lands. Only carrying a pullthrough, so ends up walking the rest of the trip with it as a walking stick.

End note: Spiker #1 ends up wearing a 50 gn Sierra out of well worn Sportco 222 for hanging around too long.