Stubborn Stuck Bullet

[Idaho Ron]

No offense taken. I am new to the forum. I think this subject should be a sticky and I will be more careful to check for that and do searches in the future.

None of this is aimed at you. You are just the one that is on the radar right now. I have been trying to get it through to guys that before the hole is through the object use the grease first. Its easier to clean the barrel than unscrew the plug. Most guys here would rather ruin the barrel than clean the residue left behind using grease.

 

[Idaho Ron]

I never said the the alternative methods would work in his case, only they they might be easier if they could be utilized.

By removing the breech plug a steel rod can be placed against the ball and can be used to drive the ball out of the barrel.

The grease gun is easier than removing a breech plug. Well unless you're shooting an inline.

 

[Idaho Ron]

I'm an engineering idiot so please forgive what might be a stupid question.
If the remaining surface area of the bullet is significantly greater than the diameter of the hole, could enough force on that surface area be generated to overcome the leak through the hole?

No even if it were a pin hole, the pressure will not increase enough to push it out. The hole in the zerk is tiny but the grease moves easily through it.

 

[chorizo]

By removing the breech plug a steel rod can be placed against the ball and can be used to drive the ball out of the barrel.

Well, what could go wrong with that?

 

[Idaho Ron]

Well, what could go wrong with that?

The next option is to used a long drill bit and drill it out.

 

[chorizo]

No even if it were a pin hole, the pressure will not increase enough to push it out. The hole in the zerk is tiny but the grease moves easily through it.

Pressure is affected by volume also, but you may have to have a high volume, air compressed commercial grease gun to get that kind of volume and as Idahoron said, that may be affected/limited by the zerk fitting itself.

 

[Idaho Ron]

Well, what could go wrong with that?

A guy could also fill the barrel with salt water brine. in time the stuck object could just fall out.

 

[chorizo]

A guy could also fill the barrel with salt water brine. in time the stuck object could just fall out.

Damn, you beat me to it.....I was just typing something similar!

 

[waksupi]

You guys are under-thinking this. If you want to use the compressed air to remove a projectile that has been drilled through, put a patched round ball down on top of the obstruction to form a gasket,.

 

[Idaho Ron]

You guys are under-thinking this. If you want to use the compressed air to remove a projectile that has been drilled through, put a patched round ball down on top of the obstruction to form a gasket,.

Forgive me but I don't understand the logic behind that. I worked for 35 years as a millwright. That line of thinking doesn't line up with my real world application. Not saying it won't but I would like to see that video.

 

[chorizo]

Forgive me but I don't understand the logic behind that. I worked for 35 years as a millwright. That line of thinking doesn't line up with my real world application. Not saying it won't but I would like to see that video.

I am hoping he was being sarcastic, otherwise there is some definite "underthinking" involved.

 

[Ed C.]

None of this is aimed at you. You are just the one that is on the radar right now. I have been trying to get it through to guys that before the hole is through the object use the grease first. Its easier to clean the barrel than unscrew the plug. Most guys here would rather ruin the barrel than clean the residue left behind using grease.

It's not a big deal. Blow the grease column out using an air compressor. Or you can force it back out of the nipple or flash hole with a patched jag. Then clean as you would after a day of shooting except start with a degreaser. Or even plenty of HOT soapy water will do. Much easier and less potential of damaging the gun.

 

[Idaho Ron]

I am hoping he was being sarcastic, otherwise there is some definite "underthinking" involved.

Its like having a truck stuck in the mud. So you back another truck up and touch the bumpers. Now the truck in the lead starts to drive without a tow strap. Will the stuck truck follow?

 

[Brokennock]

clean as you would after a day of shooting except start with a degreaser. Or even plenty of HOT soapy water will do.

Should we use Dawn or Palmolive?

 

[Idaho Ron]

Should we use Dawn or Palmolive?

Oh no you didn't

 

[azmntman]

I had the exact problem before. Your average ball puller can drill straight through rendering them useless. To remedy this; I cut the head off a large wood screw and welded the screw end to an iron rod. It came out without a problem at all. I still will go to a standard ball puller when I encounter a stuck ball, but I kept my creation just in case. Hope this helps.

My worst one was when I started with the Dutch Schultz dry patch method. Had one stuck soo bad it was insane. Took the whole thing down the street to local drunk neighboorhood mechanic (who has every tool ever made and makes more as he needs them). He was advised what was up, that we couldnt remove the breech (CVA) and that we had tried air, couldnt hammer it down the rest of 10 or so inches etc. He saw the ball puller I made and didnt have any luck with and by gosh he recreated it with a HUGE screw that went through the ball and then kinda twist around till threads bit the side and turned that there conraption into a sliding hammer ball puller. Should have videoed it. Worked like a charm.

NOTE: When using the dry patch method ya NEED TO SWIPE. Never did that till I forgot to swipe twice in a row. Soooo much crud couldnt hammer down on powder and stuck beyond believe!

So whats the best patch lube to use so this dont happen again?


(sorry)

 

[chorizo]

Its like having a truck stuck in the mud. So you back another truck up and touch the bumpers. Now the truck in the lead starts to drive without a tow strap. Will the stuck truck follow?

always worked for me....I think...maybe alcohol was involved so it is a little fuzzy

 

[Ed C.]

Should we use Dawn or Palmolive?

Let's start a discussion and poll on that. Open up another thread. Crappy day today and I have nothing to do until the game tonite. I vote for dawn 'cause I like the picture of the ducking on the bottle.

 

[Brokennock]

Let's start a discussion and poll on that. Open up another thread. Crappy day today and I have nothing to do until the game tonite. I vote for dawn 'cause I like the picture of the ducking on the bottle.

What a unique idea for a topic....

 

[Ed C.]

My worst one was when I started with the Dutch Schultz dry patch method. Had one stuck soo bad it was insane. Took the whole thing down the street to local drunk neighboorhood mechanic (who has every tool ever made and makes more as he needs them). He was advised what was up, that we couldnt remove the breech (CVA) and that we had tried air, couldnt hammer it down the rest of 10 or so inches etc. He saw the ball puller I made and didnt have any luck with and by gosh he recreated it with a HUGE screw that went through the ball and then kinda twist around till threads bit the side and turned that there conraption into a sliding hammer ball puller. Should have videoed it. Worked like a charm.

NOTE: When using the dry patch method ya NEED TO SWIPE. Never did that till I forgot to swipe twice in a row. Soooo much crud couldnt hammer down on powder and stuck beyond believe!

So whats the best patch lube to use so this dont happen again?


(sorry)

The best? Look through the threads on this forum concerning patch lubes. There are pages and pages with dozens of opinions on "the best" patch lube. In general, to stay out of trouble, use a damp patch with your choice of lube and swab at least every 2nd to 3rd shot. I believe the people that very seldom have to swab are in a minority.