Im an idiot, HELP!

[DBaer52378]

I have a Johnathan Browning Mountain Rifle in 54. It was given to me about six months ago. While out shooting last week I had a misfire. I ended up having to put a little 4f in the nipple and shot out the charge that way. Just to be sure I dropped the ramrod down to make sure it was clear.

MISTAKE! The ramrod was stuck so I yanked on it and out came the ramrod WITHOUT one of the metal tips!

I went home and did the hot water and dawn soak hoping it would loosen up. No luck. Tried to use my cleaning rod and a patch to do the suction cleaning in an attempt to dislodge it. Nope!

I used a flashlight to look down and can see it at the end of my the barrel. It is not threaded and was only held onto the end of the ramrod with some very old glue. When people talk about never trusting a ramrod now I know why.

I've tried the following things:

- put the ramrod back down and tried to tap it back into the metal ramrod tip and pull it all out at once

- wire coat hanger

- letting it soak for an hour (maybe its lodged in fouling) then using compressed air through the nipple hole

- 4f in the nipple hole then firing a cap

- 2f filled through the nipple hole with three patches as a blank load over the ramrod tip. It fired but didn't dislodge the ramrod tip.

What do I do? My club shoot on Saturday will probably be cancelled due to Corona. Am I approaching replacement barrel time? Is there a way to screw off the rear of the barrel?

Thanks!

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Is the ramrod tip brass or steel?

If brass, shoot it out of there by filling up the nipple channel with powder and blow it to kingdom come! If steel... a more gentle approach may be needed. Take it to a gunsmith and have them pull the breech plug and remove it.

Don’t shoot the tip out if steel, it may score the barrel.

 

[DBaer52378]

Is the ramrod tip brass or steel?

If brass, shoot it out of there by filling up the nipple channel with powder and blow it to kingdom come! If steel... a more gentle approach may be needed. Take it to a gunsmith and have them pull the breech plug and remove it.

Don’t shoot the tip out if steel, it may score the barrel.

Its brass. I tried that using 2F and a number 11 cap. no luck.

 

[tenngun]

When you get it out be sure pin the tip to the wood. You can buy a pre made rod from a ML supply house. A brass tip on wood. It should already be pinned. Or you can mount a tip. Easy pezy. But drill a 1/16 hole through it, then place a 6 penny finish nail in. Cut the ends off and peen ends with hammer, file off smooth. It won’t come off with out the rod breaking apart.

 

[Grimord]

Use a bronze cleaning brush on the end of a cleaning or range rod. a 36 caliber brush should fit tightly in the ram rod end in the barrel. Once inserted into the tip, give the rod a twist to set the brush, and it should pull out.

 

[poker]

Mix up some epoxy, not a lot, just enough for a light coat on your rod tip and then insert into the jag. Walk away for 24 hrs. When you return pull it out. DAMHIKT

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Mix up some epoxy, not a lot, just enough for a light coat on your rod tip and then insert into the jag. Walk away for 24 hrs. When you return pull it out. DAMHIKT

Gorilla glue gel will accomplish the same in a couple of minutes. Just scrub away any residue from the lands quickly afterward.

 

[Ames]

No. No NO No.
You cant risk smearing epoxy on the way down. DONT do it.
I've told this story at least twice over the last three years but I'll cut to the chase this time. Personal experience.
Let the barrel dry. Let the ramrod dry. Okay?
Now, soak the end of the ramrod in water for 4 or 5 minutes. Send it down the barrel and try to screw it into the brass tip.....and leave it alone overnight!!!!
The next morning the tip of the ramrod will swell up and you can screw it out of the stuck position.
Saved my ars when I tried to find the end of a rr channel to cut it the rod to length without a pinned tip. Big mistake I'll never make again.

 

[dlidster]

If this were my rifle I'd remove the barrel from the stock. I'd then place a protective scrap of 2x4 or a piece of plywood on a concrete floor. Then, with the barrel held vertically, muzzle down, I'd thump the muzzle sharply on the wood. (The muzzle won't be damaged by the wood.) Inertia should (might) dislodge your ramrod tip and let it slide down the barrel and out.

If you can't remove the barrel from the stock ignore everything I've said. With the gun assembled this inertia thump will do untold damage to wedge mortises, lock plate fit, even lock and trigger parts. It's going to be sharp and much more severe than recoil.

 

[Ames]

And you wont need a replacement barrel. Relax. If it still wont come out you can pay a gunsmith to unscrew the breech plug and get it out. An hours charge for the pro. Your gun will be fine again.
DO NOT TRY TO UNSCREW THE PLUG WITHOUT PROPER TOOLS AND PAST EXPERIENCE, PLEASE.
You have 5 posts here. We like you. Please don't try to pull the breech plug on your own..
This can all be fixed.

 

[Carbon 6]

I have a Johnathan Browning Mountain Rifle in 54. It was given to me about six months ago. While out shooting last week I had a misfire. I ended up having to put a little 4f in the nipple and shot out the charge that way. Just to be sure I dropped the ramrod down to make sure it was clear.

MISTAKE! The ramrod was stuck so I yanked on it and out came the ramrod WITHOUT one of the metal tips!

I went home and did the hot water and dawn soak hoping it would loosen up. No luck. Tried to use my cleaning rod and a patch to do the suction cleaning in an attempt to dislodge it. Nope!

I used a flashlight to look down and can see it at the end of my the barrel. It is not threaded and was only held onto the end of the ramrod with some very old glue. When people talk about never trusting a ramrod now I know why.

I've tried the following things:

- put the ramrod back down and tried to tap it back into the metal ramrod tip and pull it all out at once

- wire coat hanger

- letting it soak for an hour (maybe its lodged in fouling) then using compressed air through the nipple hole

- 4f in the nipple hole then firing a cap

- 2f filled through the nipple hole with three patches as a blank load over the ramrod tip. It fired but didn't dislodge the ramrod tip.

What do I do? My club shoot on Saturday will probably be cancelled due to Corona. Am I approaching replacement barrel time? Is there a way to screw off the rear of the barrel?

Thanks!

Its brass. I tried that using 2F and a number 11 cap. no luck.

STOP!
Stop everything, before you make any more mistakes.
Where are you now ?

 

[DBaer52378]

I reassembled it and put it away for now to work on other stuff. I specifically didn't attempt to unscrew the barrel plug.

I'm in Northern Oregon (near Portland). Anyone recommend a good gunsmith?

 

[bang]

The epoxy can be done safely. Put tape around the rod 2 places about 6 inches apart that will keep it centered enough to keep from getting glue on the bore. On the one closest to the tip put a card stock paper funnel facing the tip. Once you insert the rod stand straight vertical on the muzzle. Any residual glue will run down the rod and be caught in the funnel.

 

[Carbon 6]

Ok! you need to clean the gun immediately or it will become a useless rust ball. Dig that gun back out and clean it thoroughly.
Use lots of alcohol to displace any water before oiling or preserving and be sure to tip the gun muzzle down because the ramrod tip stuck in the barrel will hold water like a cup.
Then proceed to find a good gunsmith. Fast, Time is your enemy.

 

[azmntman]

I would use more 2f and try it 2-3 times myself. It may not blow out once but stuffs happening with each blast.

I have used the superglue method. when out I was ready with boiling water to flush in case it touched any part of the barrel and no ill effects and then I pinned 3-4 more ramrods I found that needed it!

Keep us posted, I dont think a breech plug pull is needed.

 

[DBaer52378]

Ok! you need to clean the gun immediately or it will become a useless rust ball. Dig that gun back out and clean it thoroughly.
Use lots of alcohol to displace any water before oiling or preserving and be sure to tip the gun muzzle down because the ramrod tip stuck in the barrel will hold water like a cup.
Then proceed to find a good gunsmith. Fast, Time is your enemy.

on it!

 

[Newtire]

I like the idea of putting a brass brush into a threaded steel rod and twisting it in. You ever see how tight those brushes stick?

Next thing to do is to clamp on a set of vise grip pliers to the rod and gently tap the vise grips with a hammer.

The vibrations of the hammer taps will do more to loosen that stuck ramrod tip than all the steady pulling in the world. The epoxy stuff might work as well as long as you guide the rod as someone mentioned. You can always try that if the cleaning brush doesn't work.

Best thing to do is to try something that won't cause more damage. One step at a time. Lots of good ideas in here.

If you don't feel confident, send it to a good smith.

Good luck.

 

[Carbon 6]

I would use more 2f and try it 2-3 times myself. It may not blow out once but stuffs happening with each blast.

Having dry balled many times and having stuck a jag and had the ramrod end come off, shooting it out often takes multiple Attempts. I think one took around 10 attempts before it finally went.
Panic sets in and we get in a hurry, we rush things when we should be taking our time.
Slow down and take your time, think every action through.
I've only had to un-breech a gun once to remove a projectile and that was because I didn't know what was in it.
I've never had to glue anything.

 

[DBaer52378]

Having dry balled many times and having stuck a jag and had the ramrod end come off, shooting it out often takes multiple Attempts. I think one took around 10 attempts before it finally went.
Panic sets in and we get in a hurry, we rush things when we should be taking our time.
Slow down and take your time, think every action through.
I've only had to un-breech a gun once to remove a projectile and that was because I didn't know what was in it.
I've never had to glue anything.

Okay I'm going to try tomorrow doing it 10 times. If that doesn't do it I'll clean it as best I can and find a good gunsmith.

for those following along at home, I did try the brass brush jag from a 9mm pistol, wasn't large enough.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I bought a gun off this forum today because as I've learned, it always helps to have a backup rifle.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Okay I'm going to try tomorrow doing it 10 times. If that doesn't do it I'll clean it as best I can and find a good gunsmith.

for those following along at home, I did try the brass brush jag from a 9mm pistol, wasn't large enough.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I bought a gun off this forum today because as I've learned, it always helps to have a backup rifle.

Very cool! Muzzleloading can be frustrating at times, honestly. BUT stick with it and you will learn what works and what NOT to do. I myself just recently got a bore brush stuck in my rifle and have to shoot it out. I’m still learning too! But it’s so fun and relaxing when you find what works.