Ball puller w/drill bit

[jtmattison]

I saw one in a book and it is a clever idea.
It's a combo deal with a screw on one side and a drill bit on the other.
Instead of forceing that screw into a solid ball you can drill a hole in it for the screw to tap into easily.
I'd like to know where to find one.

Huntin

 

[Stumpkiller]

Seen 'em. Mountain State Muzzleloading? Now D.B.A. Mountain State Manufacturing I believe. I'll see what I can find. Was wishing I had one last weekend. :redface:

 

[Stumpkiller]

Mountain State Muzzleloading Supplies

Phone: 800 445-1776; 304 375-7842
Fax: 304 375-3737
Mail: Mountain State Muzzleloading Supplies, Rt. #2, Box 154-1, Williamstown, WV 26187 USA

It's an 800 line call to find out if this old sod's memory is worth spit. I think either this firm or the Log Cabin Shop used to sell the drill bit inside the ball-puller fitting. Log Cabin Shop doesn't show it on their web site - and Mtn State doesn't pop up on a web search. It's a free call.

 

[Griz]

Mountain States new site is www.cainsoutdoor.com
try that

 

[Chickenfax]

I can't imagine anyone ever needing a ball puller...
You just gotta keep thinking, "powder-patch-ball, powder-patch-ball, etc..."

"Now why won't this gun go BOOM?!?!"

I loaded 3 powderless balls today. :youcrazy:
I swear muzzloading is a test of senility.

I think the drill bit idea sounds great!

 

[roundball]

I never leave my muzzleloaders loaded after a day's hunt, and for reasons of not wanting to discharge a firearm after dark, not wanting to have to clean the rifle after needlessly firing it, not wanting to call attention to an area I'm hunting, etc, etc, etc...I always "pull" my loads.

That's 30-40 pulls every season for several years.
I get home, lay the rifle on a carpeted workbench, slide a ramrod & ball puller down, screw it into the lead ball a couple turns, and slide the ball out.

So I don't understand the reference to a drill bit...every ball puller I have is sort of a self tapping screw design which simply augers right in...unless the thinking about using a drill bit is to pull some sort of a solid copper bullet or something?? If that's the case, a CO2 discharger might even be simpler and faster

::

 

[jtmattison]

I've never had to pull a load yet...knock on wood.
I have been at the range with my friend who forgets his powder from time to time and we have to pull his.
In my experience it is pretty hard to get the ball puller to tap into the ball.
I saw the one with the drill bit on it and thought it was a great idea. Just tap a hole for the puller first and it will go right in.
Not trying to complicate things here ::

Huntin

 

[Stumpkiller]

There are a couple techniques that improve the chances of drilling the standard "wood screw" ball puller head into the ball. The first is to make sure it is centered on the ball by getting one with a cailber sized collar, or folding a patch or two over a loose one to get it centered in the bore. The other drilling aid I have found is to make the initial contact with the ball by ramming it in HARD, to form a dimple in the lead and get the threads started.

Everyone should try pulling one at home in a good spot so they'll have an idea of what is involved when they get out and need to do it in a bad spot.

One tip I have seen is to drill a perpendicular hole through the outer tip of the ramrod so you can insert a large nail through it for pulling leverage. I use wood ramrods and don't like the idea of weakening the wood at all with a hole that size. I have a trick of wrapping the exposed ramrod end with a length of leather strap and then using a thumb-diameter x 10" +/- sized stick to twist the strap tight and then pulling using the stick as a handle. This works just as well to pull a stuck jag & cleaning patch (usually, just wrapping the leather on the end gives enough better grip for that).

 

[roundball]

caliber sized collar, ramming it in HARD, better grip

:agree:
I just figured everybody did those things...all my ball pullers are caliber size with the caliber size brass collar around them, I use a T-handle or wooden ball on the end of the ramrod, when the screw contacts the ball I bump the end of the ramrod hard as if it was a short starter to set the screw, then a couple strong turns, and out it comes.

At the range or house, I use range rods with wooden balls permanently attached, and carry T-handles in my hunting pouches...never had to use one in the woods but sure as I didn't have one I'd need it.

(PS: good tip about the leather strap and twist stick)