Out of battery discharge.

[Texas Tall]

Well I've read about this happening but had never actualy seen it happen untill a couple of weeks ago at a club shoot.
I was R.O.ing a pard using a '66 with 44-40 black powder load when "WHAM" off it went.
Most of the blast went skywards but some came back with small particals hitting the shooter in the forehead and cheek but the base of the case came back hitting me in the collarbone and thru the shirt manageing some small skin damage.
I was told that when the rifle was stripped the cause appeared to be a weak or damaged trigger spring?.
That was replaced and I have seen the '66 in use since and no further problems, but sure was a shock to all around at the time.

Regards...Texas Tall.

[Fox Creek Kid]

I was told that when the rifle was stripped the cause appeared to be a weak or damaged trigger spring...

Huh? Sounds to me like this dude had his finger in the triggerguard and it touched the trigger too soon.    How could a weakened trigger spring cause this? It's usually a "short stroked" rifle, finger on the trigger too soon or more rarely a stuck firing pin that is the culprit. Next shoot watch this guy's finger when he returns the lever to battery when shooting. You have to take your finger out of the triggerguard when racking the lever. 

[Dakota Dan from OZ]

The trigger spring was broken letting the trigger move back and as the action was closed the lever touched the trigger and set off the round before it was fully chambered. The 66 was an early made Uberti with a long trigger spring pined in the frame.

DD

[Texas Tall]

Thanks for clearing that up Dakota, I had heared from another pard that the spring was the problem.

Regards..............Texas Tall.