Thread: Beware the Hangfire !!

NRANZ rules state 30 seconds which seems a long time.
Most hangfires I have experienced (ancient ammo) were click-bangs which were disconcerting enough. Yeah, I guess out in the sticks your brain is on rifle operation autopilot and you would naturally quickly cycle the bolt. I know in days gone by on the fullbore ranges a misfire usually meant the shooter immediately raised the bolt, closed it, and tried again. Further back in time on the 30s of course it was safer, the cocking piece was just recocked without opening the bolt. It's quite weird, as back in the old 30 days we probably recognised the danger more than in modern times. I suppose due to some of the crappy old military ammo that we used.

And another one. How many of us have had a 22rf misfire where we immediately extracted the round, and reinserted it in the chamber with the cartridge slightly rotated around from the first attempt for a fresh part of the rim to be struck by the firing pin? Nah? No one done that?

NRANZ rule -
"If a misfire occurs, the competitor should be aware of the possible danger of a hangfire. The
RO must be called immediately, whilst the rifle remains pointed towards the targets. After
waiting at least 30 seconds, the competitor may then turn the rifle on its side, so that the
loading port faces the ground, and open the bolt. The competitor must ensure that his fingers
and all other parts of his body are not behind the bolt. It is the responsibility of the RO to
ensure that no one is standing behind, should the bolt be blown out. On no account must a
round that has misfired be reloaded into the rifle."