Stubborn Stuck Bullet

[tjiann]

Okay, just an update. I tried compressed air this morning but, as expected, that didn't work. Then, after closing up that hole yesterday I went ahead and inserted the largest screw pull I had. I got the bullet to move to within 3 inches of the muzzle. So it's moving, but the screw pull won't engage anymore. Getting closer.

 

[azmntman]

"The best? Look through the threads on this forum concerning patch lubes. There are pages and pages with dozens of opinions on "the best" patch lube. In general, to stay out of trouble, use a damp patch with your choice of lube and swab at least every 2nd to 3rd shot. I believe the people that very seldom have to swab are in a minority."

Please refer to the very last word in my post, this was made tongue in cheek as we all know that even after I discovered the very best patch lube, and reportd it here on this very forum, that others still try to best it (all unsucessfullly of course) and thus there could be another 670,321 posts with lesser potions and ideas.

Carry on

 

[Dave91]

Is the idea of the compressed air to shoot it through the breech hole to push the bullet out?

 

[waksupi]

Forgive me but I don't understand the logic behind that. I worked for 35 years as a millwright. That line of thinking doesn't line up with my real world application. Not saying it won't but I would like to see that video.

If you have a patched round ball ahead of the drilled through bullet, the bore is sealed, and allows pressure to be built. It's worked for me several times when guys brought guns to me with the same problem.

 

[chorizo]

If you have a patched round ball ahead of the drilled through bullet, the bore is sealed, and allows pressure to be built. It's worked for me several times when guys brought guns to me with the same problem.

I can't get my head around this at all. It simply does not make any sense to me how an obstruction in front of something that is not an obstruction and not attached is going to make a lick of difference.

But if it works for you, have at it. Not that I am going to try it, however.

 

[Arrow139]

I was out shooting my 58 cal yesterday. Long story short, I was trying some different bullets. The last one I tried was an ashcan shape. I shot one fine, but then the next started going down fine and got stuck halfway down the barrel. Ended up breaking off the wooded end of my range rod trying to get it out. Since I got it home I've put Kroil down the barrel overnight and worked 2 sized pullers to no avail. The pullers come out without the bullet.

Just wanted to see if others have run into this and have any ideas/suggestions? Thanks.

So, unscrewing the breech plug should work to give access to both ends.

 

[Joemolf]

Just a thought. Removing the breech plug is a lot simpler that other things and takes less time. Unless you can use CO2 or tap a little 4f powder into the vent hole.

I agree! You spending a lot of time. Remove the breach plug and knock it out with a wooden rod. Yes I know removing the breach can be a Pain but you sound capable to me. Good luck with whatever you do! At least if you can get out without damaging you’ll have a slugged barrel saving your self from this issue. Again good luck you will get through it.

 

[Ed C.]

"The best? Look through the threads on this forum concerning patch lubes. There are pages and pages with dozens of opinions on "the best" patch lube. In general, to stay out of trouble, use a damp patch with your choice of lube and swab at least every 2nd to 3rd shot. I believe the people that very seldom have to swab are in a minority."

Please refer to the very last word in my post, this was made tongue in cheek as we all know that even after I discovered the very best patch lube, and reportd it here on this very forum, that others still try to best it (all unsucessfullly of course) and thus there could be another 670,321 posts with lesser potions and ideas.

Carry on

Ah, OK. Sometimes my sense of awareness is rather slow. But now your post begs the proverbial question, what did you find to be the best patch lube?

 

[azmntman]

ALL of em tied for first my friend! (ya I could be a politician!!)

 

[tjiann]

Is the idea of the compressed air to shoot it through the breech hole to push the bullet out?

Yes.

 

[Ed C.]

I can't get my head around this at all. It simply does not make any sense to me how an obstruction in front of something that is not an obstruction and not attached is going to make a lick of difference.

But if it works for you, have at it. Not that I am going to try it, however.

Ditto. You will have equal pressure on both sides of the ball with the hole no matter how much pressure is applied so it is not moving. But what about this: Lets say the hole in the ball is small and you apply a lot of pressure to the barrel. The lead ball blows out rapidly reducing the pressure in front of the stuck ball and before the pressure can bleed down through the hole in the ball it pushes it out? Would only possibly work with compressed air, not the grease method.

 

[chorizo]

Ditto. You will have equal pressure on both sides of the ball with the hole no matter how much pressure is applied so it is not moving. But what about this: Lets say the hole in the ball is small and you apply a lot of pressure to the barrel. The lead ball blows out rapidly reducing the pressure in front of the stuck ball and before the pressure can bleed down through the hole in the ball it pushes it out?

That is assuming you can get the zerk fitting to push that much grease........If the hole in the zerk is smaller than the hole in the bullet, you are not going to get enough volume of grease to build and sustain the pressure needed.

At least that is how I see it.....

And with that, I am pitching out of this fight.

 

[Ed C.]

That is assuming you can get the zerk fitting to push that much grease........If the hole in the zerk is smaller than the hole in the bullet, you are not going to get enough volume of grease to build and sustain the pressure needed.

At least that is how I see it.....

And with that, I am pitching out of this fight.

It would only possibly work with compressed air, not grease. Not meaning to fight about anything, just trying to exercise my brain before I become full on Biden.

 

[Flintandsteel]

I have seen this grease thing mentioned over and over again, almost religiously. My question, is why? How?
What is the construction of a flint, or percussion would allow a grease zerk to fit in a barrel.
Guaran-damn-tee ya, I’d have this projectile out by now, with zero grease.
Get on with it.
If it’s within 3” of the muzzle, it’ll come out.

 

[flntlokr]

We have needed a stuck ball post for a while!
View attachment 197320

Glad to see you brought the popcorn; these are always amusing

 

[flntlokr]

If all else fails, remove the barrel and heat it gently over a flame until the lead melts and runs out the barrel. You have already neutrallized the powder by putting oil down the nipple hole. The barrel will not get anywhere near hot enough to harm it. Don't quench it afterwards. The oil/powder mix may cook off to some extent, so leave the nipple out to allow any gases to vent. Pumping grease it via the nipple (make an adaptor to thread the Zerk into) will work as well. You simply push all of the grease from the barrel out using a tight patch and jag (then find out some way to get rid of the contaminated grease). I favour compressed air with a nipple adaptor similar to this;

 

[Ed C.]

I have seen this grease thing mentioned over and over again, almost religiously. My question, is why? How?
What is the construction of a flint, or percussion would allow a grease zerk to fit in a barrel.
Guaran-damn-tee ya, I’d have this projectile out by now, with zero grease.
Get on with it.
If it’s within 3” of the muzzle, it’ll come out.

On a percussion gun you can find zerk fittings with metric and SAE threads that will fit the nipple tapping. I've not had to use the grease method yet but I do have the fittings to do so if need be.

 

[SDSmlf]

If all else fails, remove the barrel and heat it gently over a flame until the lead melts and runs out the barrel. You have already neutrallized the powder by putting oil down the nipple hole. The barrel will not get anywhere near hot enough to harm it. Don't quench it afterwards. The oil/powder mix may cook off to some extent, so leave the nipple out to allow any gases to vent.

Have you personally heated a barrel hot enough to melt a stuck projectile to remove it?

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Have you personally heated a barrel hot enough to melt a stuck projectile to remove it?

Bad idea.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Has anyone ever put together an FAQ for this forum?