Stuck round ball

[Electric Miner]

Stopped at the local gun shop yesterday to pick up a 2nd Gen Colt 1851 they were holding for me. While there, I spotted a muzzleloader on a rack behind the counter, where they put guns they bought or took in on trade till they go out for sale.

"Watcha got there," I asked.

"It's a flintlock we took in on trade towards a Hi-Point 9mm."

"Seriously," I ask. The shop owner shrugs his shoulders.

"Problem is, it looks like it might be loaded."

"Can I take a look at it?" The guys at the shop know me pretty well, so he hands me the rifle, which turns out to be an Antonio Zoli Harper's Ferry.

I put the ramrod down the barrel, and it does look like it might be loaded. "So, what are you gonna want for it?"

Quick conference between the two guys that own the shop brings back an answer of $125.

"Sold."

So now I have a Harper's Ferry from 1974 that, on further examination, appears to have a ball rammed down in it real good, with no powder under it. And it looks like it's going to be a major pain in the rump to get out.

 

[sb 54 cal.]

pick in 3 grains of powder through the vent hole and see if it won't pop out.

 

[nkbj]

And when it moves a little then pack in even more powder, ram it down and set it off again!

By the way, nice find !

 

[Spikebuck]

Of course I've never had a dry ball :wink: but others that have told me that a CO2 discharger will blow a dry ball that's all the way seated to the breach right out.

 

[Electric Miner]

I'm looking into a co2 discharger. More investigation to do first.

 

[Spikebuck]

I would not be without one. It may not be hc/pc, but in a second or two whatever is stuck comes out....no picking in powder (maybe multiple times), no ball puller, just extremely quick discharge. But if you go this route, do be sure to point in a safe direction because they come out with authority!

 

[Stumpkiller]

Just hope it is a ball and not a lost jag.

Good luck!

 

[Rusty_Nail]

...
"It's a flintlock we took in on trade towards a Hi-Point 9mm."

Really? Trade a flinter, even with a dry ball...For a Hi-Point? :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

 

[KABAR2]

O.k..... what's the fuss about?
Remove the breech plug an push it through.... :thumbsup:

By the way that's is a nice score on a M1803 Harpers ferry :hatsoff:

 

[bpd303]

My way of thinking, that would be the last resort...
Every time I have run across something stuck in the bore it's been fairly easy to remove it using the other methods, including screwing in a zert (grease) fitting in the flash hole and using grease to push out the obstruction.

 

[nkbj]

Just hope it is a ball and not a lost jag.

Good luck!

Wow. Hadn't thought about the lost jag experience.
Would trying to snag the threads be worth while? The bore is large enough diameter for visual inspection.

 

[nchawkeye]

I wouldn't be trickling powder in a gun that could have anything in it...As far as you know it could be loaded with smokeless powder...Try pulling with a ball puller first, if it is a lead round ball you will find out if the screw will screw into the soft lead...Then you can either pull it out or try other methods...

 

[Electric Miner]

I already looked down the bore. It looks like a patched round ball. Breech plug pulling would be last resort for me. Trickling powder would also be low on my list, in this case. I'll try ball puller first, since I have one, and co2 if that doesn't work, since I'll have to buy one.

 

[MSW]

congrats: nice find! I would try the ball puller first, then a zerc fitting if you can rig one up ... pulling the breechplug would be low on the list ...

just one guy's free advice - doubtless well worth the price ...

good luck, and when it's out, make good smoke!

 

[Rifleman1776]

I would not be without one. It may not be hc/pc, but in a second or two whatever is stuck comes out....no picking in powder (maybe multiple times), no ball puller, just extremely quick discharge. But if you go this route, do be sure to point in a safe direction because they come out with authority!

Our club has one and it saves a lot of time and frustration. Plus, it is safe to use and using it gets the range officer or another experienced shooter into the equation for fixing the situation. They are a great device. Not many stores carry them, ordering online might be the only way to go.

 

[ZUG]

Nice find (so far) :wink: . You don't know how long that ball or whatever has been down there or what the previous owner used for a lube (maybe spit) and the whole mess could have a rust ring around the projectile. I'd pour some penetrating oil down the bore and let it work for a few days + then try the CO2 discharger or the pumped grease method. Once you punch a hole in the ball with a ball puller you open up another can of worms :grin: .

 

[matt denison]

+ 20 for the Co2 discharger.

This is your excuse to buy one. You will not regret it, your friends will not regret it when you help them out with it. I do reccomend that every serious Mzzldr shooter have one in your shoting box.

I've trickled lots of times, it works but the beauty of the Co2 device is that you can safely use it anywhere (within reason) like your back yard or even inside if you have a safe soft backstop like a box of rags etc.

 

[curiousgb]

Any recommendations on which CO2 to buy? I am getting quite adept at trickling. Can't seem to get the powder, patch part right.

 

[ShawneeB]

I've just used a compressor and blow/cleaning nozzle at home, unloaded charges, stuck ball (no powder). Never failed me but at a range I spose a CO2 is pretty slick.

 

[curiousgb]

I tried the compressor it didn't work for me.