So I can't even lie and say I have a friend who has a problem with his rifle. I made a major bone head mistake and honestly am thankful to even be typing this post. I was helping a friend sight in his .308. He was using a bore laser sight that is inserted into the end of his barrel. My .243 laser sight is a cartridge sight that is stored in the chamber. You can probably fill in the blanks from there. Long story short...he was having trouble sighting in his rifle so I offered to help. I did the exact opposite. I fired his rifle with the bore sight still lodged in the end of his barrel. Needless to say the barrel of his .308 split like a banana, just like in the cartoons. I've counted my blessings every day since. With that said, is it possible to replace the barrel only, or did my bonehead mistake also possibly affect the inner parts of the rifle? I'm basically trying to figure out if I can salvage his rifle or if I just need to buy him a brand new one. Before someone hits me with a "this thread is worthless without pics" I don't have any pics currently but can add some if that'll help with feedback. I'm currently at work and the rifle is at home. Any suggestions would be great appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I'm glad both of you survived it. I'd offer to buy him a new one or send it to the manufacturer for repair. The later would ensure that it is completely inspected.

Completely tare the rifle down to inspect other parts, especially the front of the action. Buy a barrel and barrel nut, put together and take it to a gunsmith to inspect.

Would also be good to donate the barrel to a local Hunters Education class, so our youth can see what happens when you mess up and the possible consequences of making a mistake.

Buy him a new one and use his to build you a new one.

Thanks for all the feedback fellas. I plan on using a bit of everyone's advice. I think I'm going to go ahead and buy him a new one, salvage what parts I can, and most importantly hang on to the barrel to show others what can happen with just one second of complacency. I can honestly say in my 33 years this is the first time I've ever made a dangerous mistake like this handling a firearm, and I sure plan on making it my last. Thank goodness the Man upstairs was watching over me in that instant. Thanks again everyone.

That kind of thing can happen SO easily. I've never blown up a gun, but I've had mishaps. I've learned to assume that what can possibly be wrong most likely HAS GONE wrong (and sometimes I'm right about it). Makes a guy feel pretty queasy.

Ive seen this happen with a shotgun that had the barrel stuck in the snow.

Good to see someone actually recognize the inherent danger in something like this, and not try to repeat it.

Since your location is not shown, I don't know if you're close enough to me. If you are, come by, and I will be happy to show you how to bore sight old school, with no lasers, gadgets or gizmos. Only eyes, and hands.

I'm glad no one was hurt.

My bet is the damage is to the barrel only. After careful examination, with positive results, I would use the action again, with a new barrel.

Glad your alright and doing well. Scary situation for damn sure.

Back in 2004 my buddy got the barrel of his .243 pulled with mud while riding in the Polaris out to the blind; a buck came out and when he shot the barrel split in half from the muzzle all the way to the front of the action.

I was 300yds away in another blind and it sounded like a pipe bomb went off; when we met back up and I saw the rifle I new both him and our buddy who was in the blind with him were lucky to be alive!...... the 2 tips of the muzzle where it split in half were over 12" apart!

Just a reminder

I was hunting on the Chaparral and stood up out a small portable blind and my 722's barrel went in the Mud. I carry a Patch Worm and was quickly back in business.

It was an eye opener for sure. FiremanJG I'm in Rockwall. Not too far from you. I've been out to Wolfe City several times to play golf. The rifle ended up looking exactly like the last pic from QuitShootinYoungBucks.

That was close, RD. I was hunting near Rock Springs a few yrs ago and stuck the bbl of my NEF 45-70 in the mud. That hole is big enough to clear with a stick and then pour a beer down the chamber for a final cleaning. Worked with what I had.

There's good in Wolfe City?

Holler at me if you want to come by. I'm not bashing the way y'all did the last bore sight, I've just seem it cause more harm that good, very often. With a little practice, you can get really close to a zero by looking down the bore, and adjusting the scope to meet. It'll take 5 minutes to learn how.

how many will admit to making bone head serious mistakes...1

I have seen mullets and such around the school yard but never a golf course. What do you know that I have not yet found?

Third or fourth time I've heard of this happening.

Yep good reminder and a refresher to pay attention! This could happen to anyone...especially the guy that thinks it could never happen to him. Thanks for posting.

Most bore mounted laser boresighters can't be seen thorough a scope. Ask me how I know.