Range Rod Extension

[roundball]

If I were to use a ball puller and it didn't work, would I be able to unscrew it from the ball without unscrewing the joints of a jointed rod?

Maybe / maybe not...but its one of those things that's really not a problem...if you simply screw it in to the soft lead too much it'll strip out from the lead anyway and then come right back out.

IMO, ball pullers are an excellent tool and work perfectly...I use them 25-30 times throughout a deer season because I always pull my load when I get back to the house after a hunt.
(Save the patches and balls for use at the range after hunting season is over).

My advice is to get the good kind of ball puller with the steel threads, and the caliber size brass collar around the middle to keep it centered.
I found the best routine for me is to slide it down to the ball, then raise it a couple inches and jam it into the face of the ball.
Then I turn it 4 half turns in (clockwise) to ensure it gets a good bite without going too far and stripping it...then just pull it out.
A T-handle for the end of the rod is an exceptionally good item to have and use for this purpose...also lets you hook the "T" in the fork of a tree to get extra pulling power if you have an exceptionally tight fitting PRB.

Speaking for myself, I've tried the trickling powder approach and rate it the least attractive;
I've tried the CO2 unloader approach and rate it #2.
But the ball puller is by far the simplest, quickest, quietest, approach for me...only takes seconds.
And it also doesn't create a situation where I then have to clean the bore if I use the powder approach to shoot a ball out...or any noise, or any danger of the ball hitting something, etc.

Others mileage may vary...

 

[Joel/Calgary]

... With a flintlock you can remove the vent liner and do the same. If you don't have a vent liner ...

then you can push powder through the touch hole with your vent pick - it's slower but it works. This is about the only use I have for vent picks nowadays - I rarely have to clear the touch hole.

Regards,
Joel

 

[Rifleman1776]

ball pullers are an excellent tool and work perfectly

Can't agree at all.
"excellent" only after all other methods of extraction have been exhausted. Meaning, they are a last resort thing.
I have overdrilled too many times to like them. And, this is not from lack of experience. It happens.
The screw, or tips coming off is not really fun while on the range or in the woods.
Generally, dribbling powder behind the ball and shooting out is the final solution. Can take time (stressful with the range officer and about 100 shooters giving you ugly stares :shocked2: )
As much as I dislike modern plastic thingys anywhere near traditional ml's, I believe the CO2 discharger is one of the best tools to come our way in decades. Works, is quick and safe. Every range should have one.

 

[Many Klatch]

Paladin, I am able to make ball pullers work, but I carry three sizes of screws that fit on the end of my ramrods. The problem is trying to have a screw that can start a hole in the lead ball and still have enough thread to pull the ball. I have a small one to start the hole, if that works great. If the small one doesn't work then I use the next larger screw and the hole is already started so it should work better. If however that screw pulls out then the biggest one has never failed to pull a ball yet. I rarely use a range rod when shooting, but I usually have one back in the truck if things go bad on me. Most of my range rods are one piece and wooden.

BTW, when pulling a dryball out, always put some water or oil down the barrel so it will help get the patch to let go of the barrel.

Many Klatch

 

[LRB]

A clean bore is usually easy to pull a ball from. A fouled bore is not so easy.

 

[roundball]

ball pullers are an excellent tool and work perfectly

Can't agree at all.

:grin:
Sounds like what you're really saying is that "you" haven't had it work so you've declared it's not a good tool at all ???

The conclusion is you must not be doing something right...sounds like you're just trying to pull them out with a ramrod without using any sort of torque amplifier like a wooden ball, T-handle, gripper thong, etc...if you had you wouldn't make such a statement.
:grin:

Another fast / simple approach is to use a piece of thin rubber wrapped around the shaft like we use when pulling arrows out of target butts...weighs nothing and takes up no space.
If you can't find one of those bow hunting accessories locally, just buy one of those thin pieces of rubber made to increase torque when removing the lid from a jar in the kitchen...same principle.

Bottom line, pulling a ball with a ball puller is simple...it's what they're made for...it's as simple as engaging the ball with the puller and then pulling it out of the bore. I do it 25-30 times every fall in all calibers / gauges after deer hunts, squirrels hunts, etc...only takes seconds...far less time than getting out and rigging up my CO2 discharger.

:thumbsup:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Glad it works for you.
Yes, I may be doing something differently. It is not always a successful effort for me.
And, I do have handles on most of my range rods. (all probably but would have to check)
FWIW, I have pulled scores and scores of balls for others at shoots over the years. I wouldn't be without screws and handled rods at a shoot. But, pulling, for me, is a last resort solution to dry balling.

 

[Mike 56]

I have in the past used a ball puller and put powder in the nipple hole both worked well for me. When using a ball puller use a good one. I carry a leather strip with with the ends tied in my bag. I put on my ram rod with a half hitch and pull the ball from a tree branch or a nail that is sticking out. Pulling on the rifle the ball comes right out weather it is clean or dirty.

 

[don hepler]

I have an aluminum rod that is three pieces, I think Hoppes made it. It had muzzle loading rod, on the package, however they make shotgun rods just like it, except for the final section had 10-32 on the muzzle loading rod. I used a section out of a shotgun kit, and added a section above the last piece, worked like a charm. Cleaning/range rod in four pieces. I have a Knight extended brass jag and use a 3/8 bore guide to protect the muzzle. I use it as a ram rod and have never, felt it flex.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have in the past used a ball puller and put powder in the nipple hole both worked well for me. When using a ball puller use a good one. I carry a leather strip with with the ends tied in my bag. I put on my ram rod with a half hitch and pull the ball from a tree branch or a nail that is sticking out. Pulling on the rifle the ball comes right out weather it is clean or dirty.

I have a stainless steel range rod with a screw on handle. For it, I also have a large chunk of brass with a hole that slides over the rod. This is used as a 'back slapper' to pull stubborn balls. It is a last-last resort tool.