Why you shouldn't mix your cartridge gauges

[hillmouse]

As an Instructor and Coach it is quite possible and not unusual to use 12, 20, 28 and .410 on the same day and ocassionally a 16 as well.

 

After every lesson/session I meticulously search every pocket and rebox any loose ammunition. On going to the range a double check is carried out and only one calibre of gun/cartridge is ever allowed. ALL clients are asked if they have any ammunition on them and also if they have shot a different calibre recently and then asked to check EVERY pocket.

 

Anyone who uses more than one calibre of gauge should always carry out this check as well. It is good practice to ALWAYS check for light down the barrel before loading a fresh cartridge.

 

It is the one loose cartridge in the bottom of the pocket that causes the problem.

 

I have never seen a 20g in anything other than yellow. .410 and 28g are usually red green or black but 12g seems to be any colour of the rainbow.

 

Daylight in the barrel before reloading is the ultimate test, albeit a tad tricky with a semi or pump action.

[Verminator 66]

seen this on a rifle as well

were a bore sighter was left in the end off the barrel and split it like a banana

[bravo2]

As somebody rightly said - to err is human. Anybody suggesting otherwise is as big an idiot as the person who mixed up their cartridges, if not more so. No amount of checking or procedure will ever eliminate every concievable error - although clearly it will greatly reduce the chances of a mistake. Look at any accident from 3 mile island to Challenger to the surgeon who amputated the wrong leg and you will find human error as the root cause, despite seemingly robust multi-layered defences.

Errors happen - fact, it doesn't matter who you are or how careful you are, meticulous safety will only reduce the chances of an error, never eliminate it.

Edited June 14, 2013 by bravo2