Plugged Bore

[Boatncamp]

Last year I went to shoot a new to me HC/PC flint musket and I forgot to clean it before taking it out to shoot. Previous owner had used oil which had of course accumulated at the breach. There was no way that I was going to get that black powder to go off. Removed the lock for good access to the vent hole. Put the rubber tip of the blow gun on my compressor to the vent hole squeezed the trigger of the blow gun and out it popped. Frequently it does not take a very high pressure setting on the air compressor to get it moving. Be sure it is pointed in a safe direction.

It won't be the last time that you will have to do this. But they get farther apart each time it happens. LOL

 

[chorizo]

I have been using a CO2 cartridge and an emergency bike tire inflator for years to unload my rifles without having to fire them. I do suspect that it may not work on a badly stuck bullet or one that has time to corrode in place. But it does pop out tight fitting maxi balls with ease.

As said previously ..watch out.. the bullets come flying out and will dent your vehicle. The first time I did it, I put a nice dent in the forward portion of the bed of my buddy's truck! He went around telling folks I had shot his truck.

 

[Idaho Ron]

As a recap for those that didn't see his attempts.

The OP said the bullet is stuck. He has a ram rod and bullet puller broken off in the barrel.

He tried a co2 bullet remover

He tried putting powder under the nipple.

The rifle was at a gunsmith for over 2 months.
____________________________________
If the OP is still reading this thread.
Send the barrel to me and I will remove the bullet, clean it and ship it back un damaged for a small fee.

 

[chorizo]

As a recap for those that post before they read.

The OP said the bullet is stuck. He has a ram rod and bullet puller broken off in the barrel.

He tried a co2 bullet remover

He tried putting powder under the nipple.

The rifle was at a gunsmith for over 2 months.
____________________________________
If the OP is still reading this thread.
Send the barrel to me and I will remove the bullet, clean it and ship it back un damaged for a small fee.

Oh, I wasn't trying to advocate for the CO2 method....just making a comment on its use. I use it to UNLOAD a charged gun. A stuck ball/bullet I would turn to the grease method EVERYTIME. This situation absolutely calls for the grease gun method.

 

[Greg_E]

Grease gun, dangerous chemical, or heat are the last options. I'd probably get the grease gun going and hope it is sealed to the bore so the grease doesn't bypass the bullet.

 

[chorizo]

@wganz Wade in here Old Hoss. You got some recent experience with a severely stuck round that needs telling.

 

[Idaho Ron]

Oh, I wasn't trying to advocate for the CO2 method....just making a comment on its use. I use it to UNLOAD a charged gun. A stuck ball/bullet I would turn to the grease method EVERYTIME. This situation absolutely calls for the grease gun method.

I would try the co2
I understood you and agree.

 

[Idaho Ron]

Grease gun, dangerous chemical, or heat are the last options. I'd probably get the grease gun going and hope it is sealed to the bore so the grease doesn't bypass the bullet.

I agree that grease bypassing the bullet would be the issue for removing it with grease. If no over powder wad was used it could be an issue.

 

[chorizo]

I agree that grease bypassing the bullet would be the issue for removing it with grease. If no over powder wad was used it could be an issue.

If the grease is viscous enough (cold as well as the barrel being cold) and pumped in rapidly enough, I suspect it will not be an issue.

 

[Idaho Ron]

If the grease is viscous enough (cold as well as the barrel being cold) and pumped in rapidly enough, I suspect it will not be an issue.

The thing that makes me think the grease woukd work is he tried shooting it and co2. If those didn't leak I think the grease would work fine.

 

[SDSmlf]

I disagree!. If the PSI is there with a good seal the obstruction will come out. One of the aforementioned is missing.
Larry

Just as a point of reference, if you apply 150 psi from a compressor for example, there will be just under 24 lbs of force on a 45 caliber bullet. A good first option, but not enough force to move a maxi ball if it’s really stuck.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Just as a point of reference, if you apply 150 psi from a compressor for example, there will be just under 24 lbs of force on a 45 caliber bullet. A good first option, but not enough force to move a maxi ball if it’s really stuck.

Thanks!
Larry

 

[nancbudd]

Thanks for all the input. The CO2 kit with the rubber nozzle is a bust, can make a seal tight enough to maintain any pressure.

Ground pyrodex to a fine powder and put under nipple, didn't budge it.

I failed to mention and is probably VERY important the ball has been stuck in there for a couple years so I'm sure it has some great oxidation.

Have 7,000psi grease gun coming today so will try that. Anyone know of a muzzleloader gunsmith in the mid-Michigan area, Lansing???

 

[Idaho Ron]

In

Thanks for all the input. The CO2 kit with the rubber nozzle is a bust, can make a seal tight enough to maintain any pressure.

Ground pyrodex to a fine powder and put under nipple, didn't budge it.

I failed to mention and is probably VERY important the ball has been stuck in there for a couple years so I'm sure it has some great oxidation.

Have 7,000psi grease gun coming today so will try that. Anyone know of a muzzleloader gunsmith in the mid-Michigan area, Lansing???

Do you have the long 1/4x28 grease zerk? You will need it. They are easy to find where I am, but you may have trouble finding one at every store.

 

[TDM]

Have TC Hawkens 45cal percussion with a maxi ball stuck. Ramrod with extractor broke off in barrel trying to remove it. Tried CO2 and putting pyrodex in torch hole and it won't budge. Other than removing breech plug any other ideas>

I suggest you take @Idaho Ron up on his offer to fix your problem.

 

[chorizo]

In

Do you have the long 1/4x28 grease zerk? You will need it. They are easy to find where I am, but you may have trouble finding one at every store.

https://smile.amazon.com/Midland-36...90656&sprefix=1/4x28+long+zerk,aps,163&sr=8-4
2 day delivery

 

[SDSmlf]

Have 7,000psi grease gun coming today so will try that. Anyone know of a muzzleloader gunsmith in the mid-Michigan area, Lansing?

That will push the bullet out. If you can truly generate 7000 psi, you are looking at up to 1100 lbs of force on your 45 caliber Maxi Ball…..

As @Idaho Ron suggested, use a long 1/4-28 grease fitting for your TC. Around here you can pick the fittings up at places like AutoZone, Lowes and Tractor Supply for example.

 

[wganz]

@wganz Wade in here Old Hoss. You got some recent experience with a severely stuck round that needs telling.

Not much to say. First, tried the bullet puller screw thing that I'd used since I first started using Holy Black back in 1976. That failed. Found out later that this was due to the front of the bullet being somehow frangible. The local tweakers stole the air compressor off the back porch.... So, the air compressor route was out until I replace it. Tried the recommended 6x1mm grease fitting but it would pass in & out of the hole. Back to parts store and got 8mm grease fittings and a 9mm wrench. Put that where the nipple would go. Loaded up grease gun, started pumping, and in a couple of minutes heard the darnest screeching emanating out of the barrel. Soon the bullet just fell out the muzzle. The bullet was measured with a micrometer and the results compared to direct measurement at the muzzle. Left the grease fitting in the breech for the ride home back to Plano so that the grease can be recovered for reuse.

 

[chorizo]

Not much to say. First, tried the bullet puller screw thing that I'd used since I first started using Holy Black back in 1976. That failed. Found out later that this was due to the front of the bullet being somehow frangible. The local tweakers stole the air compressor off the back porch.... So, the air compressor route was out until I replace it. Tried the recommended 6x1mm grease fitting but it would pass in & out of the hole. Back to parts store and got 8mm grease fittings and a 9mm wrench. Put that where the nipple would go. Loaded up grease gun, started pumping, and in a couple of minutes heard the darnest screeching emanating out of the barrel. Soon the bullet just fell out the muzzle. The bullet was measured with a micrometer and the results compared to direct measurement at the muzzle. Left the grease fitting in the breech for the ride home back to Plano so that the grease can be recovered for reuse.

wganz pushed out with the grease method a stuck 58 cal bullet that had been a long time stuck in a Navy Arms Buffalo hunter that the previous owner could not extract.

 

[deerstalkert]

anyone that has ever operated heavy tracked equipment understands the force a simple grease gun can apply.