Shooting Incident

[markg]

I was out shooting the other day when something bad happened. I am writing about this despite the fact that I will look rather foolish by posting this. It is my hope that during the spring when many of you are out shooting that this will make you think.
I shoot quite a bit, I love target shooting. I try to follow high safety standards at all times. I am however human and I made a mistake. I was shooting my 308 with a muzzle brake from the prone position. I had just fired a 5 shot group at my gong at 500 yards. I went to check my grouping and it was excellent (just over 2 inches) but it was a bit low and left on the gong. While I was walking back to my shooting position I was distracted by a gardener snake on the path. I got back to my position got down behind the gun and changed my windage and elevation on my scope. I lined up on the target and pulled the trigger. BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM.

I forgot to put my ear protection back on. As mentioned earlier this rifle has a muzzle brake. It was very painful. It felt like my ears wear bleeding. I imediately packed up my gear went home put away my rifle and went to the doctor. He examined my ear drums and luckily they were still connected. I had ringing in my ears for 2 days (today the ringing stopped). I still feel like sounds are muffled and the dynamic range of the sounds has yet to return. I am just happy I am not deaf.

Moral of the story, always always always wear your ear protection. Dont get distracted by things around you. Do a check list in your mind before getting behind your rifle.

PS you will likely see a very nice semi custom Tikka T3 CTR up for sale this weekend.

[Okotokian]

Moral of the story: Don't put a muzzle break on a .308!!! Sheesh.

Just kidding. Glad you are OK. Hearing protection is always a good idea.

[elkhunter11]

If you are really lucky, most of your hearing will return, but I do know of at least one person that suffered significant permanent hearing loss from a single shot with a braked rifle.

[markg]

When you shoot 50 rounds or more in a session a muzzle brake on a 308 is more than needed. I am almost 50 yrs old and find that after a day at the range my neck and shoulder get pretty sore. Muzzle brakes help. From now on I will only be shooting smaller bore rifles that dont need a muzzle brake.


I shoot over a thousand rounds a year and all it takes Is ONE TIME!

[markg]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

If you are really lucky, most of your hearing will return, but I do know of at least one person that suffered significant permanent hearing loss from a single shot with a braked rifle.

Im not going to lie I think that is probably the case with my incident. Time will tell.

[roger]

markg great post it only takes a second to have an incident and a a reminder to all that even a dedicated shooter isnt excluded from them.
i certainly have tinnitus (magnumitis) now but it is from the jobsite, not shooting, loud car stereos, open headers on race cars or being married... nope just at work

i had a pair of those Canadian tire auto damping amplifeid headphones, anything over 85db they cut out, they are very noce especially on a firing line and trying to listen to a range offcier or have a decent converstion. they also have a radio and mp3 input as well. good deal for $85
they really shouldnt have to ever come off

[overhere]

get your self a set of electronic ear muffs from peltor i paid 300 for mine and cant tell if im wearing them or not they are awsome

[wolf308]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

Moral of the story: Don't put a muzzle break on a .308!!! Sheesh.

Just kidding. Glad you are OK. Hearing protection is always a good idea.

X2. Hahaha.


Was relieved your gun didn't blow up.

[Chargerguy]

Thanks for posting markg. I have some pretty good hearing damage in my left ear from shooting. One day while hunting with my brother when we were in our teens, and before we ever considered hearing protection, my brother fired his mosin with the muzzle right by my ear. We were both focussed on deer and I didn't see it coming. It was like someone smoked me in the side of the head with a mallet. I have started doubling up with MSA Sordins and leave them on over the course of my shooting sessions. I even picked up a set for my shooting partner which makes conversing with the muffs on very easy.

[Dick284]

I'm gonna put my safety guy hat on for a minute, and address this incident for what it is.

An incident.

Yes you are human, and lord knows how frail and faulted we humans can be.
It's these faults that result in these sorts of incidents.

But let's drill down to this incident.

You fell into your own trap here. You were probably distracted(the snake) rushing(to see if your group will repeat) and you fell into complacency(failure to muff up)

These three things are what are called critical errors.

So when you become distracted, or find yourself rushing, or start doing things in auto pilot, you're risk of having an incident goes way up.

Simply slow down, do a mental check list, alter steps or processes, what ever it takes to keep or get your eyes and mind back on task.

Even doing things like leaving your muffs on top of the rifle, so it either makes shouldering it hard, or blocks your sight picture. Or using a set of baffled ear plugs to wear under your muffs, these probably would have attenuated the noise enough to keep you from getting 3 days of ear ringing.

FWIW: I've been there done that, and am just dealing with it like we do at work, as far as incidents go.

As far the hearing, well welcome to the "pardon me" club.

[markg]

Originally Posted by Dick284

I'm gonna put my safety guy hat on for a minute, and address this incident for what it is.

An incident.

Yes you are human, and lord knows how frail and faulted we humans can be.
It's these faults that result in these sorts of incidents.

But let's drill down to this incident.

You fell into your own trap here. You were probably distracted(the snake) rushing(to see if your group will repeat) and you fell into complacency(failure to muff up)

These three things are what are called critical errors.

So when you become distracted, or find yourself rushing, or start doing things in auto pilot, you're risk of having an incident goes way up.

Simply slow down, do a mental check list, alter steps or processes, what ever it takes to keep or get your eyes and mind back on task.

Even doing things like leaving your muffs on top of the rifle, so it either makes shouldering it hard, or blocks your sight picture. Or using a set of baffled ear plugs to wear under your muffs, these probably would have attenuated the noise enough to keep you from getting 3 days of ear ringing.

FWIW: I've been there done that, and am just dealing with it like we do at work, as far as incidents go.

As far the hearing, well welcome to the "pardon me" club.

Your right on all counts. I called it an incident because that is exactly what it is. I take full responsibility. I posted this for the sole purpose to help others be aware of this kind of thing so they don't make a similar mistake.

Some great ideas about hearing protection solutions. I spend big money on rifles dies optics brass bullets, buying only the best. I should have spent the same way on ear protection.
I pride myself on doing things safely and dont consider myself a "cowboy" I simply made a mistake, one with consequences.

Thanks to you and all others that are sharing good ideas to make things for other shooters safer.

[Dean2]

Good reminder. Hope you get all your hearing back. You may be one of the lucky ones. I would go see a hearing specialist. Your Doctor should have given you drops for your ears to help the recovery process. Get in right away for better chance of it healing up correctly.

[Trochu]

Glad to hear that the ringing has stopped.

I was welding in the garage last night, secured the part with magnet, adjusted the wire speed, put the ground on, trimmed the stickout, got comfortable, placed the wire on the metal and was just about to pull the trigger when I though "Wow, I can sure see my work clearly!". I was wearing clear safety glasses instead of the goggles.

Thanks for the reminder.

[Groundhogger]

Originally Posted by markg

When you shoot 50 rounds or more in a session a muzzle brake on a 308 is more than needed. I am almost 50 yrs old and find that after a day at the range my neck and shoulder get pretty sore. Muzzle brakes help. From now on I will only be shooting smaller bore rifles that dont need a muzzle brake.

Good on you for sharing your story, I don't think you'll find anyone sh***ing on you or anything, I think you've probably suffered enough. lol I fully appreciate the desire to use a brake (and have owned a rifle that I put one on) but it took a similar experience to make me question really how badly I want one in my life. lol I've shot AROUND them more than I've shot with them and even WITH hearing protection, there is a concussive force that smacks surrounding shooter(s). I don't visit a particular range here in Ontario anymore because of the likelihood you'll be cozied-up to a guy with an SVT-40, a crate of surplus ammo, and a desire to kill everyone's ear drums. Foam ear plugs underneath electronic muffs still isn't enough to make them nice to be around. (like getting hit in the head with a sand bag) Last time I was there, almost 3 years ago~I had an SVT-40 going off on both sides of me. Haven't been back.

Anyhow..since I don't personally hunt big game..there is no need for a high-caliber/high recoil rifle at the moment anyway..so zero temptation. My .223 is a very heavy gun (on purpose) and while a brake would still be a small benefit spotting hits...it was never a temptation.

I hope everything is OK with your ears, best advice would be what you've heard already~electronic muffs.

[markg]

This thread made me think about how much safer shooting would be if we could use sound moderators. Link to pettion below

https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Sign/e-575

[couleefolk]

Originally Posted by Chargerguy

Thanks for posting markg. I have some pretty good hearing damage in my left ear from shooting. One day while hunting with my brother when we were in our teens, and before we ever considered hearing protection, my brother fired his mosin with the muzzle right by my ear. We were both focussed on deer and I didn't see it coming. It was like someone smoked me in the side of the head with a mallet. I have started doubling up with MSA Sordins and leave them on over the course of my shooting sessions. I even picked up a set for my shooting partner which makes conversing with the muffs on very easy.

My brother did this to me with a 243 while deer hunting. Ringing in my ear for over 30 years now, but of course it wasn't his fault, you know the type, no pictures it didn't happen.

[58thecat]

As with all activities things will happen, learn and hopefully don't repeat.
Must have been a hell of a boooooom! With the typical rrrrrrrrrriiiing...

[BuckCuller]

I once let a guy shoot an elk off my shoulder with a 300 with a muzzle brake.
I feel your pain.
Now I get hassled every time we have a hearing test at work.

[colroggal]

Originally Posted by BuckCuller

I once let a guy shoot an elk off my shoulder with a 300 with a muzzle brake.
I feel your pain.
Now I get hassled every time we have a hearing test at work.

I gotta be the one to poke; why the h-e-double hockey sticks would you let him do that???

Colin

[Smokinyotes]

So why would you sell the tikka ctr? I wear electronic muffs just so i can hear my hits. My nephew was shooting his braked 7RM one day and forgot his muffs. He said that is one mistake he wont make again.

[Norwest Alta]

Originally Posted by BuckCuller

I once let a guy shoot an elk off my shoulder with a 300 with a muzzle brake.
I feel your pain.
Now I get hassled every time we have a hearing test at work.

Much the same but he shot at a elk, no muzzle brake and don't having hearing tests at work. Seemed like a good idea at the time but I won't be doing that again. School is never out.
You're probably lucky you can hear at all.

[Norwest Alta]

Originally Posted by colroggal

I gotta be the one to poke; why the h-e-double hockey sticks would you let him do that???

Colin

I like elk meat don't you?

[colroggal]

Originally Posted by Norwest Alta

I like elk meat don't you?

If choosing between elk meat and hearing...

Colin

[MrSharp]

Originally Posted by markg

This thread made me think about how much safer shooting would be if we could use sound moderators. Link to pettion below

https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Sign/e-575

That was the first thing I thought of when I read your original post, hope you didn't suffer any long term effects, sure would have been nice to not be denied the option to use a second and very effective form of noise suppressing PPE while you were shooting.

[Newview01]

Considering how many lawsuits make it through the courts, it would be interesting if you could sue the government for not allowing suppressors. I am against suing in general, but would be an interesting battle.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Newview01

Considering how many lawsuits make it through the courts, it would be interesting if you could sue the government for not allowing suppressors. I am against suing in general, but would be an interesting battle.

My guess would be a Whole pile of wasted money and time for someone trying to sue for that
Cat

[couleefolk]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

My guess would be a Whole pile of wasted money and time for someone trying to sue for that
Cat

Maybe if it falls upon "deaf" ears.

[260 Rem]

Mark, thanks for the reminder about the perils of distracted shooting. I probably forget to put my ears on at least once a year at the Range but have never had the experience of being close to a brake without protection.
Regarding silencers ... they perform a different function than a brake, and I was not aware they reduced recoil which is the purpose of the brake. Personally, I would never want one of those ugly silencer cans attached to any of my barrels. The thought has occurred that if silencers were made legal, they might become a requirement for Range shooting.
Regarding brakes ... I recall reading a study that examined the relationship of brakes to hearing loss by way of compression wave through the nasal cavity.

[J0HN_R1]

Originally Posted by overhere

Get your self a set of electronic ear muffs from peltor. I paid $300 for mine and cant tell if im wearing them or not they are awsome.

I bought a pair just yesterday. Except mine were only $150...

http://peltorcomms.3m.com/Americas/P...Category_Id=39

[markg]

My 308 with muzzle brake is now up for sale if anyone is interested, I will be sad to see it go but I have to make sure this never happens again. I thought about stopping shooting all together but I enjoy it to much. No more muzzle braked rifles for me though.


http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showt...44#post3522944