A rural Jackson County man was hospitalized after a muzzle loader he was shooting blew up.

James Stoner, 41, of 8467 W. County Road 200N, Brownstown, was target shooting Monday when the incident occurred, Lt. Andy Wayman said. The barrel of the gun broke away.

The incident was reported at 4:18 p.m.

Stoner was treated by personnel with Jackson County Emergency Medical Services for injuries to his right hand and then taken to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, according to Wayman, who is with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

He said the injury was extensive enough that Stoner likely will need to see a specialist.