I was reading some old posts, lots of info there. After reading about the horn that exploded on the firing line I thought that I'd post the 2 occaisions that I know off. First, Buster Warinski of knife making fame was grinding down a large steel nut that was inlet into the base plug of a powder horn for a mutual friend. The nut and bolt was to be made into a "rapid fill" gizmo for the horn. Well our buddy didn't mention that the horn had been previously filled and emptied. The largest piece found was like half a popscicle stick. The nut was never found and buster did get hurt, burns and slivers.
The second episode was at ronnyvu. We were all sitting round a fire when my friends tipi rose about 3 feet into the air. Then smoke started coming out of the door, top, and bottom. At first it was hilarious, then Matthew came walking out of the tipi wiping his eyes and coughing. He was completly covered in soot, smoke and ashes. He had bent over the fire pit in the tipi to start a fire and the stopper was out of the horn. The powder spilled and the flame climbed up the powder spill and ignited the horn. Matt was unhurt except for his pride. Only a small red spot. Luckily he had his leather coat on and it saved him. He got named that night, "Blackie".
These are infrequent accidents, but they do happen, so we must be careful.
Ross