Stuck ramrod in the bore

[Arrowstorm]

I wasn't sure where to post this one.

I'm sure we've all done it. 1)Rammed that ball down in there and only THEN realized that we forgot the main charge; 2) got the cleaning patch smooshed REAL tight around that cleaning jag right at the bottom of the barrel to where it aint comin out.

My question is... how do YOU guys deal with this? I've had balls down in that barrel or jags sandwiched in with the patch so tight that it would take a great feat of strength to pull it out! I've even broken a couple tips like that! Normally I keep a pair pliers in there for extra grip, but that just won't do. So.... out in the field... with no access to modern tools... how do you get that ramrod outta there?! ::

 

[roundball]

So.... out in the field... with no access to modern tools... how do you get that ramrod outta there?!

1) I never go afield without a strong T-Handle in the pouch;
2) I never seat a dry patch in a fouled bore;
3) You could shoot yours out with a few grains of powder;

:front:

 

[Stumpkiller]

First thing I would do is pour a little moose milk, solvent or water down on top of the stuck jag. Just a squirt to dampen it.

Then, I'd tie a rolling hitch on the rammer and hook the other end to something heavy (tree, rock, English Sheepdog) and pull like h###.

I do this about annually so I know how it feels. :redface:

A bootlace works very well for the line, by the way.

And yes, I've shot jags and "dry" balls out of percussion rifles by removing the nipple and trickling in a couple grains of powder, then replacing the nipple.

 

[Runner]

I carry either a leather thong with a hangman's noose already tied or a wooden ball to screw onto the end of the ramrod. I squirt a little water or something to wet the patch and pull the jag. If I dry balled it, I just trickle a few grains in under the ball and shoot it out. If you do this, just don't shoot at a tree or anything solid. Those low powered loads like that bounce right back at ya if you do. Don't ask how I know that!.

 

[SCATTERSHOT]

My hunting guns all have small holes drilled in the end of the ramrod. If I stick one downbore, I put a crosspin like a nail, nipple pick, etc. in the hole, or a piece of sturdy twine and tie it to something. You can shoot it out, but if you stick one on a full charge sometime it get interesting, not to mention that you will need a new ramrod!

 

[Stony]

I cheat, I use one of those CO2 dischargers. Keep one in my shooting box and one in my bag when out in the field. :m2c: :results:

 

[arcticap]

I have an item that was a "blanket" gift that's specially designed to pull out ramrod type objects, although it's not something I carry in the field. It's made of brass and has leather padded jaws and sort of resembles a fancy wine bottle opener, you know with those two geared handles that lifts & pries out the cork? Except this doesn't pry, it simply grips the thin round ramrod, (that is if you can't use a T handle with yours). Even with a T handle rod that was once stuck while at the range, I couldn't get it unstuck until I put some Slick 50 lubricant in the barrel to help loosen up the too tight patch/jag. Whew! (I actually traded my Amaretto gift [almond liquor] for it because the fellow didn't want it, it came in handy several times for me though.) But now I would definitely try to push it out with powder, or compressed gas first if possible. ::

 

[David Teague]

I have one of those rod pullers myself ( You can find them at Here)I carry mine in the field in a haversack or possible bag.

If I've somehow really got the rod stuck, I take it home and use a vise... If that won't work... :curse: I'll just pull the barrel out of the stock and pull the breech plug ( I'm taking Flint and Matchlocks here) and push the patch out of the breech.

If it's a caplock, I'll just pull the nipple, work some 4F into the drum and shoot the rod out. :shake:

I hope this helps. :hatsoff:

 

[boar]

Arrowstorm I unscrew jag from ramrod put few grs powder under nipple shot it out in to something softh to catch the jag. My buddy had this setup for in field, he had a brass rod tapped on end to screw on a big type screw, one end treaded for ramrod other end wood type screw. To pull a dry ball screwed ball puller in ball, screwed ramrod in to tree and pulled the ball out.or stuck jag. Hope you understand this Dilly

 

[roundball]

"...To pull a dry ball screwed ball puller in ball, screwed ramrod in to tree and pulled the ball out.or stuck jag..."

I guess he used left handed threads on at least one of the screws, otherwise after screwing one end into the ball, if he then screwed the other end into a tree, it would unscrew the ball end wouldn't it? Or maybe I'm not correctly picturing what you're explaining...
::

 

[boar]

Roundball Thats what I was thinking after the post. I believe he had a cross bar on it,to screw it in tree. what he used was a hook screw with wood thread on one end,straighten it then threaded other end it was like a T . He screw it in tree, hook to ramrod, pull on gun. Hope this is better, been 15 yrs ago. Diiy