Score BD 0 Geese 1

bessiedog · #1 12-21-2009, 11:35 AM

Yup....

i know what the sound of goose laughter is like

now I got 8 lives left.

and 1.5 ears it seems.

good news though... the pup did her first chasedown and retireve of a goose!

bd

dmckay · #2 12-21-2009, 11:48 AM

Glad to hear you're okay. What happend?

Tonto · #3 12-21-2009, 11:57 AM

looks like you put your 3"s where it didn't belong.

bessiedog · #4 12-21-2009, 12:02 PM

nope.. had the right size shell. Just an old gun I guess and I cleaned it up real nice 2 days b4...
The geese coming in great, a flock of five were just setting in, I got to my knees and BANG! I went down, figgured I was messed up bad and in shock,my kids were right behind me w/the dog.

shot a big goose 3 minutes before this happened.

rugatika · #5 12-21-2009, 12:07 PM

scary stuff...glad that you guys are all OK. What kind of gun was it???

marlin1 · #6 12-21-2009, 12:09 PM

what kind of gun is that? kind of looks like my old cooey single shot

Rockymtnx · #7 12-21-2009, 12:16 PM

Wow your lucky that youre ok.

bessiedog · #8 12-21-2009, 12:19 PM

thanks... never thought it'd happen to me.

I did the quick 'check for red, nose, digits' all was ok.. my buddy came running over (he knew something sounded wrong) did the same thing....

The geese were coming hard, so I picked off enough wool from my mitts, stuff my ears, calmed the kids down, pulled out the model 37 pump and kept hunting...

we got 6 more!!

Hunter Trav · #9 12-21-2009, 01:10 PM

Glad to hear your ok, you shootin' reloads or factory ammo???

hunt_and_fish · #10 12-21-2009, 01:12 PM

Was the shotgun a fixed full choke? They have been known to dislike steel shot. I'd expect the damage to be at the muzzle end of the barrel if that were the problem though but I'm no expert.

bessiedog · #11 12-21-2009, 03:05 PM

nope... winchester fasteel BB mag.

yes it was a full choke.

I always thought damage like that would occur at the muzzle end as well.

upon inspection, the wadding casing was jammed/melted in the muzzle end, I had to use plyers to get it out.

this must of caused some serious back pressure.

yes, it was an old cooey single shot. I knew lots of birds were going to come in and I wanted the boys to get most of the birds.

anyone know any good ear doctors?

DuckBrat · #12 12-21-2009, 11:42 PM

Glad your okay.

Folks, please remember for your safety don't shoot steel in a full choke, it's not worth the risk. I had my old gun (full choke) bored out to modified. It worked well for years but upon seeing this metal failure, I will retire my old waterfowl gun and invest in a new Wing-master 870 for next year. Again were very happy that you are unhurt. Take care.

zabbo · #13 12-22-2009, 08:07 AM

Glad to hear that you're O.K.!

That must have really got your attention.

Whiskey Wish · #14 12-22-2009, 08:32 AM

I was not aware of the "Full Choke - Steel Shot" issue at all and I am darn glad you posted this BD. About the extent of my shotgunning anymore is busting clay but I should still be aware of safety issues like this one. Are there any cautions on the boxes ?
Very glad to hear you are okay and that Christmas will be a happy one at the BD household this year.

Keep Your Powder Dry,
Dave.

Cowtown guy · #15 12-22-2009, 09:52 AM

Glad to hear you're OK.

There are a few guys this fall that had posted that their old gun works just fine. For others that think the same way. Here is an example of someone who got lucky. For less than 400 dollars a fella can get a gun that is rated for steel. Think of what we spend in gas alone during the season. Never mind the tags, food, ammo etc... Remember we are essentially holding a contained bomb to our faces. Why take the risk?

Again glad you're fine.
This coulda been a whole lot worse.

gramps73 · #16 12-22-2009, 09:56 AM

wow that is scary stuff, glad that you and the kids were not hurt. So when you went on hunting how many did you knock down?
g

bessiedog · #17 12-22-2009, 11:21 AM

We got 10.

There were plenty of birds, but the wind not only reversed, it stopped entirely and the geese were coming straight in from a position that I didn't anticipate. They were actuallt coming in from 3 separate areas covering about 270 degrees pretty consistantly.

we had about 80 decoys. I put them in a "v" origionally, then I stated adjusting to a semi "x" like position. The probelm was, where does one put the hunters in this situation. These birds were really spooky... so all in all, er did great.

When my misshap occurred, we were in the thick of them landing and I recall me standing up, being examined and cussing birds as they completely landed 30 feet away from us.... they all got away scott free.

my dog was going nutZ!!!

thanks for all the well wishes guys...

i think this annecdotal will convince me to get a new steel rated shotgun. Problem is..... is that I am not a rich guy and I'm left handed.

It'll take some extra hammer swinging during summer to raise some $ for a new gun.

we shoulda coulda limited out.

we'll try again Wed. Gotta get back on that horse!

bd

Hunter Trav · #18 12-22-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bessiedog

nope... winchester fasteel BB mag.

yes it was a full choke.

I always thought damage like that would occur at the muzzle end as well.

upon inspection, the wadding casing was jammed/melted in the muzzle end, I had to use plyers to get it out.

this must of caused some serious back pressure.

Do you mean the base wad, cause if it was the basewad from the previous shell, I'd be getting in contact with Winchester. Do you have the previously fired shell? They've had problems in the past with basewads becoming dislodged and getting stuck down the barrel. I've read about it over at Shotgunworld forums. Scary stuff.

MathewsArcher · #19 12-22-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bessiedog

we'll try again Wed. Gotta get back on that horse!

bd

BD - Where abouts are you, season closed here (Southern AB - Dec 21), just wondered which province might still have open seasons.

Edit - Looks like your from Lethbridge (no regs handy) is the season still open down there??

bessiedog · #20 12-22-2009, 04:41 PM

Yes. the base wadding is still stuck from the last shot.

tell me a bit more about this. I may have a complaint to lodge here.

re: location I'm just north of the OMR. Just locked up a field that's got 2000+ in it.

should be fun for one last hurrah!

I'll post pics.

bd

drake · #21 12-22-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bessiedog

nope... winchester fasteel BB mag.

yes it was a full choke.

I always thought damage like that would occur at the muzzle end as well.

upon inspection, the wadding casing was jammed/melted in the muzzle end, I had to use plyers to get it out.

this must of caused some serious back pressure.

yes, it was an old cooey single shot. I knew lots of birds were going to come in and I wanted the boys to get most of the birds.

anyone know any good ear doctors?

I heard that's smart......you're lucky to still have a face

Hunter Trav · #22 12-23-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bessiedog

Yes. the base wadding is still stuck from the last shot.

tell me a bit more about this. I may have a complaint to lodge here.

re: location I'm just north of the OMR. Just locked up a field that's got 2000+ in it.

should be fun for one last hurrah!

I'll post pics.

bd

I'd have to do some digging, but there were some cases of this happening awhile back, and good ol' winny just silently made some changes and nothing much was ever said about it. If you can prove it was a basewad from the shot previous to it blowing up, you may have a case against them. Not sure if those particular shells have a separate basewad or not. Apparently they might. Do a search over at Shotgunworld forums in the reloading section, I'll try and do the same and see if I can dig anything up...

MathewsArcher · #23 12-23-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bessiedog

re: location I'm just north of the OMR. Just locked up a field that's got 2000+ in it.

should be fun for one last hurrah!

I'll post pics.

bd

Never noticed the later closing on those zones before might have to check it out for next year..............Good luck and good shooting.

bessiedog · #24 12-23-2009, 09:02 PM

And that is the end of bird season.

Yes... I borrowed a steel rated s-gun.

merry xmas all!

my kids had a great day!

bd