Muzzle blast sets off rounds in box

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Ever hear of this? At today's match, we were talking about ammo caused booboos. Usually it was a double loaded home brew that blew up a gun. A guy I've seen shoot for years told us this one.

He was taking the TX CHL test and shooting from behind a taller bench. He had a box of ammo open (styrofoam holding the rounds). Thus, the gun muzzle was close to the box. When he fired a round, he felt a boom and shrapnel. Thought the gun blew but the muzzle blast over the rounds, set about 5 of them off and the casings flew up and tagged him. Said he had Winchester imprinted backwards in his flesh.

Weird - and I have no reason to think he would make this up.

[Unobtanium]

Ever hear of this? At today's match, we were talking about ammo caused booboos. Usually it was a double loaded home brew that blew up a gun. A guy I've seen shoot for years told us this one.

He was taking the TX CHL test and shooting from behind a taller bench. He had a box of ammo open (styrofoam holding the rounds). Thus, the gun muzzle was close to the box. When he fired a round, he felt a boom and shrapnel. Thought the gun blew but the muzzle blast over the rounds, set about 5 of them off and the casings flew up and tagged him. Said he had Winchester imprinted backwards in his flesh.

Weird - and I have no reason to think he would make this up.

Maybe some Spall or jacket material or something hit the primers?

[Drang]

Is he a reloader? Any chance some stray powder got into the box?

[HCM]

This would be a good test for MythBusters. I've heard a similar story regarding a centerfire pistol round going off and I can full of loose ammo.

I'd be curious what caliber he was firing and whether it was a semi auto or a revolver. I can say that I have personally witnessed muzzle blast from 40 Cal pistols and 223 rifles shatter the back windows of cars while using them for cover on the range so I guess it is possible.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Probably was a semi in 45 ACP but I'll ask the next time I see him. He's a fun guy and shoots a Garand and a 1911 in a WWII rig at the carbine matches.

Rarely does anyone take the TX CHL test with a revolver nowadays.