2 teens hurt by explosion while drilling into bullet

By Eric Litke

Sheboygan Press staff

Two Sheboygan County boys attempting to drill into a high-powered rifle bullet sparked an explosion Monday afternoon but escaped with only minor injuries, according to the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Department.

"These kids were very, very fortunate," said Capt. Dave Adams.

Benjamin G. Fisher, 18, and a 17-year-old friend who was not identified were attempting to remove the gunpowder, Adams said. The incident occurred about 3:30 p.m. on Fisher's property in the Town of Lyndon.

The pair — both Sheboygan Falls High School students — initially attempted to pry the slug from the 7.62x54 round with a pliers, but opted for power tools when they were unsuccessful.

They cut off the tip off the bullet and drilled into what remained, hoping to force the rest of the slug out, Adams said. The gunpowder exploded as the drill bit came into contact with it.

"It's just, I guess, bad judgment on my behalf, just kids being kids," Fisher said in a phone interview Tuesday. "I'd kind of like to drop it right here, but I know that's not going to happen."

The 17-year-old, a Sheboygan Falls resident who was operating the drill, suffered powder burns on his face and hands and a scratch to the surface of his eye, but will have no permanent injuries, Adams said. Fisher, who was holding the base of the bullet with a pliers, suffered superficial powder burns on his face.

"There's a lot of people that will probably kind of laugh about it, (but) there's a real danger with kids not thinking things out," Adams said. "Luckily, the boys will have something they will remember the rest of their lives, but not because of permanent injury."

Adams said both teens were treated at Aurora Health Care Center Clinic in Plymouth and released. No charges will be filed in the incident.

A deputy noted in his report that the boys had no specific plans for the gunpowder, "but did admit to horseplay and suggested they would have found a use for it."

Reach Eric Litke at (920) 453-5119 and elitke@sheboygan-press.com

Submitted on 02/20/2008

Submitted by: scott lope
Reference: sheboygan press feb 20,2008

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James said:
Maybe Toss: Too Common
While I am not completely against the possibility of keeping this, I think this is becoming a bit common, and we've had a few somewhat more spectacular episodes where people drill out (or through) bullets to retrieve the gunpowder. I will defer to my fellow mods...

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I have not seen a similar story in a while so I think this one deserves a double HM. Those were two lucky lads. Thanks for the story, scott

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
I don't recall any recent stories like this so I'll vote to keep it. Those two are old enough that they should have know what they were doing is dangerous. At that age I'd used a drill enough to know that the bit heats up very quickly, and when drilling into metal sparks are also likely. Neither of those are good things to put into contact with gun powder. They're lucky they got away with just powder burns. Thanks for the submission, Scott!