A good way to get your ramrod stuck is to put a cleaning jag on the end of it and then proceed to shove a 12 gauge size (or larger) patch down the bore.
The large patch will go down easily, but when you try to pull the ramrod out, the material will get "bunched up" on top of the jag.
As was mentioned, even the right size cleaning patch can jam if it is in a dry bore.
The best way to unstick a stuck ramrod which is jammed with a patch is to pour some water down the barrel. Let it soak for a minute and then pull it out. This usually, but not always works.
Another way to get a ramrod stuck is to install a oversize brass bore brush on it and ram it down the bore.
These things work great in modern cartridge guns where both ends of the bore is open, but in a muzzleloader they often get stuck.
The problem is the bristles bend backwards towards the muzzle when it's going down the bore. When you try to pull it back out, it's kinda like the Chinese finger trap so the harder you pull, the more they wedge in place.
If this happens, try rotating the ramrod clockwise while applying just a little pressure. This turns the bristles so they can bend downward towards the breech. The brush usually will come free if you do this.
Of course, the
extreme way of removing a stuck ramrod is to pour some powder in the breech and shoot it out.
Newcomers to muzzleloading who are shooting a side lock style gun may think they can remove the breech plug.
On most of these guns, using this approach will damage the barrel (and often void the warranty). The breech plugs on sidelock style guns is not made to be removed. :boohoo:
If this is the only option, take your gun to a gunsmith
who knows about working on black powder guns .
IMO Many gunsmiths out there who know all about modern cartridge guns, don't have the foggiest idea of what they are dealing with when it comes to muzzleloaders.