I gave that some strong consideration, lol. I have tinkered and repaired firearms since before I was 15 yrs of age. Worked locally here in Baton Rouge, LA. with a long time Gunsmith. He asked me to stay with him a few years to learn more of the trade, but I told him that I didn't have to be able to build a weapon for anyone in this area, they were just wanting to keep their firearms working. He then told me you are not a Gunsmith, you are a part changer, but you are good at what you do, lol. I managed to get the plug out yesterday. I had attempted grease gun after finding a zirk fitting that fit the nipple hole. Filled the rifle barrel full of grease, but plug didn't budge. I had to remove a ton of grease as the whole barrel was full. Used air compressor to blow a lot of it out, then I used solvent to dissolve some residue that air pressure just seemed not to remove. Cleaned the barrel with clean solvent several times, then rinsed out several times with alcohol. Purged dry with air compressor, Moved plug down the barrel toward breech, probably 3/4 down the length of the barrel, got more grease to come out of nipple hole,. I guess the cleaning patch on the jag sealed up well enough to force grease that was between the LANDS of the rifling out. I figured I would go ahead and seat it all the way down the barrel to clear out as much grease as possible. Cleaned charge end again numerous times with solvent and alcohol. Then air dried it again, thoroughly. I was able to force approx. 5 grains of 3F into the nipple hole and across to the barrel. I gauged the depth of the plug with the ramrod. Fired that charge, and plug moved to approx. 1/2 length of the barrel. Pulled things back loose and put in approx. 25 grains of powder, then reseated the plug down to the powder charge. Fired this charge into a stack of old newspapers layered in a garbage bag. THIS WORKED!!!!! After plug was out, I cleaned the barrel thoroughly, lightly oiled it and loaded a 50grain 3F charge then set up a target at 50yds. to check how it was going to shoot. 1st shot was about 5 inches low on target, went back to the table and loaded up a 70 grain charge to attempt a shot at what I normally used as a hunting load charge with my Hawkens Rifle, 2nd shot, was just at the top edge of the 2x2 inch piece of white tape I had put on the target. I figure that it is close enogh, lol. THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!!!!! Louis O., better known as TOOTIE, lol
I will attempt to put a photo up here of my two shots at the target!!!!!