Pulling a Ball

[AZ-Robert]

Broke the first rule of safety yesterday and got in a rush.

After about 20 rounds or so the fouling was making loading difficult so I ran a really wet patch down the bore to clean things up. Didn't send a dry patch down afterwards, nor did I wait for dry air to do the job. Nope, got in a hurry and poured powder down what proved to be a bore that was still too wet. Pushed a patched round ball down on top of that, primed, and then tried to fire...more than once.

After about the fifth pan-flash began to wonder if I had forgotten to charge the bore with powder. A check with the ramrod assured me there was something down there, so I reamed out the vent with the pick and tried again. And again. Finally deduced wet powder was the issue.

Well, I've been thinking about getting one of those CO2 ball dischargers, but haven't found that round tuit yet. And given what I've read about how hard it is to pull a ball, I figured I was in for some tough work. But that baby came right out quick and smooth, using nothing but the screw on the end of the cleaning rod and a good steady pull, thanks most likely to the recent swabbing that created the problem in the first place.

Might still get that CO2 discharger, but sure was glad I had packed the screw.

 

[hobbles]

AZ-Robert
I pulled my first ball (balls, I double loaded) last week, I was surprised at how easy they came out with the puller, I have always shot em out (pulled the nipple and put powder down the hole) but never double loaded before so I figured I better pull those,

 

[2172]

The CO2 dischargers work great...better on percussion than on flint mainly 'cause the dry-loaded flint ball will be blocking the vent hole...the adapter for flint is a must, but still doesn't make it work as well as for percussion. I've been supplying my club with this as a service for about the past 5 years, and finally figured out that the cylinders are costing me about $1,25 each, so I'm buying a box and billing the club when this box is done...the number of dry balls loaded is increasing, and I'm blaming that on the growing friendships amoung the members...too many conversations and ribbings going on..Hank

 

[SCATTERSHOT]

The screw works great, is simple, and doesn't take up much room in your possibles. I'd save the money for powder an' ball, if it was me. Also, after cleaning the vent, see if you can dribble a little 4f through the hole. Sometimes that works.

 

[No Deer]

the cylinders are costing me about $1,25 each

At my club we have a fire extinguisher that has been filled with compressed air. The hose narrows down to a small nozzle that will fit the percussion nipples, or can be held aginst the touchhole. Have not personally needed it.....yet.....but have seen it work and it does a good job. :m2c:

 

[Slamfire]

I dry balled a .50 caliber Buffalo Ballet my last range session, them senior moments seem to be coming with increasing frequency now. I took the rifle home and cleaned it normaly, after swabbing the bore with Bore Butter the Ballet fell out when I turned the barrel upside down to service the nipple end. I'm thinkin' I'm gonna rely on them in that rifle since it likes them so much. ::

 

[guncobbler]

Hi Slamfire - If the Ballet was so loose in your barrel that it fell out when you cleaned the barrel do you think that it might be too loose in the barrel for starters? A friend of mine had one of those slide down his barrel when hunting. If he hadn'tt discovered it before he fired his rifle the Ballet could have acted like a bore obstruction. This can bulge your barrel or even worse. He switched to patched balls because he felt they were more secure in his barrel. Just something to think about. GC

 

[Slamfire]

Well I believe it is the lubrication of the barrel with bore butter that caused the Ballette to fall out. I've only shot them at the range, but am aware that a projectile that has moved can result in a burst barrel as the worst case. I've not tried to remove one from a fouled barrel. I'm gonna try some of Lee's R. E. A. L.s in 250 grain weight, after the mold I bought gets here. :thanks:

 

[TexiKan]

I just posted a reply to another topic in "General Muzzleloading" on "Has anyone had a charge go off while....." Those reading this thread might check it because my last reply was the response I received from a club member who had an accident and part of the accident involved pulling a ball.

Worth checking out. On another thread, I pointed out one of the most common safety problems I saw when I was Range Master was the lack of care most folks take when attempting to pull a stuck ball.

TexiKan
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A man cannot build a reputation on what he is going to do!

 

[roundball]

FWIW, when I pull a ball at the range it's because I've dry balled and there's no safety issue pulling the ball.
A couple of times I've put two complete loads in the rifle...since they're light target loads, I just shoot them out.

After a day's hunt, depending on where I'm at, I'll occasionally seal the vent from any possible external ignition source, then pull the ball out, as there's no ignition source inside the barrel...but usually, I just seal the vent, drive home, blow everything out into a box of old towels with compressed air, then wipe/relube the bore.

 

[TexiKan]

FWIW, when I pull a ball at the range it's because I've dry balled and there's no safety issue pulling the ball.

Notable point, Roundball. There is another thread about "Blowing down the barrel" and even though it is recommended and advised not to do this, I recall seeing several folks discuss "don't every put your head in front of a muzzle" even if you KNOW the gun has discharged!

You said you KNOW you dry balled, but as Range Master, I see someone struggling to pull a stuck ball, we never assume the gun is not loaded with a charge! I trust you see what I mean by the comparison.

TexiKan
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A man cannot build a reputation on what he is going to do.

 

[roundball]

(was just making a general post which fell in line after your post...wasn't taking issue with your particular post..just commenting on how I happen to do it)

 

[TexiKan]

No issue taken. Just pointing out how those mean, nasty, grouchy Range Masters tend to growl and get bent out of shape when they see something like that! Of course, I would like to say I have none of the above traits........maybe that is why I decided not to be Range Master again! UNQUALIFIED!!! :winking:

TexiKan
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If you continue to do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always got.

 

[Stumpkiller]

I keep a little screw insert in the patchbox and a strip of leather (for better grip on the rammer tip) in my hunting bag.

Every now and then I get the opportunity to practice the drill. :redface:

If you don't use an extractor with a brass collar be sure to layer a couple patches on the tip so it doesn't ride along the ball and gouge into the rifling.

With a properly lubed patch they're easier coming out than going in because the ball & patch are aleady distorted to the rifling.

 

[ronrryan]

I have had to pull a dry ball on nore than one occasion. Years ago an experienced shooter told me to always put some water down the bore first and wait a bit. This helps in pulling the ball a great deal. Also just in case there is a charge under the ball it is rendered ineffective. It does leave a mess to clean up, of course (builds character, etc) Keep sparking, ron in Venice, FL

 

[Stumpkiller]

Also just in case there is a charge under the ball it is rendered ineffective.

Don't count on that. A patched ball is a fine waterproof gasket. Pull the nipple or drip water or oil into the vent to "kill" the main charge.