Was just given a .40 flinter. Can home with it and discovered that it is loaded. Long story short the owner died and his wife gave it to me. The gun is in nice shape and the bore is very clean and that's when I noticed some thing didn't look right. The ram rod when dropped down the bore has the tell tail dull thud of a load being there and the rod measurement comes up short when pulled out of the barrel and laid next to it. The gun is within 15 years of manufacture. It would be Goex BP as that is all the owner ever shot. The load could be up to a year and a half old. I know this because we were shooting buddies and he was with me a year and a half ago shooting this gun. My ball puller will not fit down the 40 cal. barrel so I can't pull it. Any reason not to try shooting this load out after verifying that the load is properly seated?
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Any reason not to fire this?
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Did he load for CF guns?
I mean was CF powder available in the house? Might'n be one of the Grankids got at it,,(?)
Cause why would an experianced man, esp a hunter leave a load in?
Most hardware stores have what's called a "furniture bolt",, standard thread on one side, lag/wood threads on the other, you could maybe find one that'll fit the end of your rod for 75 cents :idunno:
I mean was CF powder available in the house? Might'n be one of the Grankids got at it,,(?)
Cause why would an experianced man, esp a hunter leave a load in?
Most hardware stores have what's called a "furniture bolt",, standard thread on one side, lag/wood threads on the other, you could maybe find one that'll fit the end of your rod for 75 cents :idunno:
flintlock75
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I see no reason not to shoot it out, i have had guns loaded for a year and shot the load out when i had to.You might also get a CO2 discharger with a flint adapter, that would be the safest way to clear it without haveing to go to a range.
smokehouseman
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Just to play it safe..................... I would recommend using a C02 discharger and blowing it out. :hatsoff:
Agreed, why take the chance? Maybe one chance in a thousand he loaned it to some yayhoo who did who knows what to it. Could be some kids found it and did some experimenting with it. This is how "surprizes" happen.
Probably would be ok, but there's always that slight chance. If you pulled the load, or blew it out with a co2 discharger, the chances of a surprize are 0.00%. Bill
Probably would be ok, but there's always that slight chance. If you pulled the load, or blew it out with a co2 discharger, the chances of a surprize are 0.00%. Bill
DOUBLEDEUCE 1
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CO2 ball discharger is the safest way to clear that barrel.
Dave Rosenthal
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:thumbsup: Co2 is the way to go!
flintlock75 said:
WHAO!!! VERY dangerous advice! You don't know how it was loaded! Or who messed with it after it it was loaded. GOOD GOD!
NEVER FIRE AN UNKNOWN LOAD.
PLEASE THINK BEFORE ADVISING other people on dangerous pratices.
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If you're going to shoot it much at all you will need to have a ball puller anyway. SO why not buy it now and use it to clear the barrel.
Even if it's loaded properly, you don't know when and you also don't know that some bug hasn't built a nest in front of the ball.
Even if it's loaded properly, you don't know when and you also don't know that some bug hasn't built a nest in front of the ball.
roboskittle
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I agree with everybody else on here. Do not shoot it out. Either try to pull it or use the CO2 method. Goodluck to you either way. Please post results.
Do not shoot it. Either Pull or CO2 it. I would add that you should clean and oil/grease the bore before so doing. Maybe pour some oil/lube down the bore and let it soak the existing patch, which could be very dry by now.
Don't shoot it.
Don't shoot it.
It would be better to error on the safe side and use oil or water down both the barrel and touch hole. This way the powder is rendered useless and the patch is relubed to ease the pulling process.
Attempting to fire could cause all sorts of problems. Safety first.
Attempting to fire could cause all sorts of problems. Safety first.
123.DieselBenz
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Yeah, your gonna dry ball it some time anyways, mights well have the right tools for the job when that comes . . . so I hear . . .
justafeedboy
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I think you found a reason to buy more gear play it safe
I picked up a ball puller for the .40 and pulled it. It was loaded with Goex with a patch and ball and then a patch and ball. Doubled balled. My friend before he passed away was getting forgetful. He may have doubled balled and realized it or may have double balled and had a flash in the pan and brought it in the house thinking he dry balled it and intended to pull the ball but forgot. She sparks real nice and is very accurate.
Thanks for the follow-up.
Looks like you have a wonderfull keepsake.
Looks like you have a wonderfull keepsake.
