Gun is finished but I got something stuck in the ramrod hole

Trapper1993 · Nov 28, 2020

I was trying to enlarge the ramrod hole slightly because the ramrod kept getting stuck whenever it slide into the hole and a piece of sanding paper and tape came off of the dowel I was using. I tried using a patch puller corkscrew to pull the tape out of the hole but it got stuck as well so now its sandwiched between tape and more tape/sandpaper. I tried using a high powered magnet to pull the corkscrew out but the sticky tape is blocking the corkscrew from coming out. Should I wet the hole to get the tape to unstick and try using the magnet to get the corkscrew out? I literally had the rifle finished and assembled for 2 hours before I %$@$ed it up.

Larry (Omaha) · Nov 28, 2020

Trapper1993 said:
I was trying to enlarge the ramrod hole slightly because the ramrod kept getting stuck whenever it slide into the hole and a piece of sanding paper and tape came off of the dowel I was using. I tried using a patch puller corkscrew to pull the tape out of the hole but it got stuck as well so now its sandwiched between tape and more tape/sandpaper. I tried using a high powered magnet to pull the corkscrew out but the sticky tape is blocking the corkscrew from coming out. Should I wet the hole to get the tape to unstick and try using the magnet to get the corkscrew out? I literally had the rifle finished and assembled for 2 hours before I %$@$ed it up.

Drill a 1/8" diameter hole through the bottom of the barrel channel into the very end of the RR hole. Use compressed air and that should do it. You will never see the hole, just be neat about it.
Flintlocklar

LawrenceA · Nov 28, 2020

You may get it with a coathanger if the compressed air doesn't work.
Try sanding the ramrod down a little instead of enlarging the hole.
Depending on how stuck tapping it muzzle first may shift it using a little inertia and gravity.

Wondered what that cussing was??? And only a few thousand miles away! :ghostly:

Good luck with it. I am feeling your pain.

DOUBLEDEUCE 1 · Nov 28, 2020

Both good suggestions ! Try filing a slight barb on the end of the coat hanger wire.

Treestalker · Nov 28, 2020

Trapper1993 said:
I was trying to enlarge the ramrod hole slightly because the ramrod kept getting stuck whenever it slide into the hole and a piece of sanding paper and tape came off of the dowel I was using. I tried using a patch puller corkscrew to pull the tape out of the hole but it got stuck as well so now its sandwiched between tape and more tape/sandpaper. I tried using a high powered magnet to pull the corkscrew out but the sticky tape is blocking the corkscrew from coming out. Should I wet the hole to get the tape to unstick and try using the magnet to get the corkscrew out? I literally had the rifle finished and assembled for 2 hours before I %$@$ed it up.

View attachment 52237

Wow! That's a beauty! Good luck on getting her lined out!

gabedard · Nov 28, 2020

Good looking rifle
Hope it works out!

Omahkapi'si · Nov 28, 2020

Beautiful.

Snooterpup · Nov 29, 2020

I feel your pain, honestly! Is the "corkscrew" actually threaded for a 5/16" range rod, either 8-32 or 10-32? If so, try to thread the range rod onto it using a clockwise rotation. If not I would recommend an actual ball puller (without the brass collar) screwed into a range rod. Do not use your ramrod for this even if the tip is pinned to the ramrod! You don't need anything else stuck down there as well. Best of luck! Cigarette lighter fluid (naphtha) may help to dissolve the tape adhesive but be careful as it may damage some finishes.

Treestalker · Nov 29, 2020

Man it's a drag messing up when you've completed a build. If all else fails you may be able to access the plug by inletting a small area in the bottom of the barrel channel. I know this gives some people the willies, but it may work as a last resort.

Mknight702 · Nov 29, 2020

Lovely looking rifle and I hope you get the obstruction removed safely.

I do think that the tomahawk might not be the best tool to use at this point though,

Ames · Nov 29, 2020

Yep. If all else fails a small C section under the barrel may be in order. Once you pin the barrel back in place nobody will ever know.

towgunner11h · Nov 29, 2020

You can try using a regular small bore cleaning rod with a slotted patch tip on it. Tie some string through the slotted tip and leave enough string hanging to make a small ball of string. Bush the ball of string down the barrel ahead of the rod- wiggle it around once you make contact with the worm- the string should catch ahold of the worm, allowing you to pull it out.

Eric Krewson · Nov 29, 2020

Are you sure you don't have the rear barrel lug protruding into your ramrod channel? I ran into this once when I had trouble getting the ramrod all the way down in the hole. If so pulling the barrel may help with the obstruction.

Here is what I found on my Kibler SMR when the tiny ramrod wouldn't go in. These cheap $12 ebay borescopes are real handy.

Siringo · Nov 29, 2020

Eric Krewson said:
Are you sure you don't have the rear barrel lug protruding into your ramrod channel? I ran into this once when I had trouble getting the ramrod all the way down in the hole. If so pulling the barrel may help with the obstruction.

Here is what I found on my Kibler SMR when the tiny ramrod wouldn't go in. These cheap $12 ebay borescopes are real handy.

View attachment 52335

I found that out too. Also, wood swells. Best to taper the ramrod itself. I had that happen to me before I listened to Jim’s videos. I used my flexible grabber for auto work in tight spaces and grabbed the paper.

Mark Herman · Nov 29, 2020

You can always pull the barrel and cut a small slot through the bottom if the barrel channel and work the obstructions out. Some old rifles I have seen have a slot left under the barrel, ram rod run out, a small piece of wood, brass or other material can be used to cover the slot. Only you will know it's there.

Whitworth · Nov 29, 2020

Just shorten the ramrod :thumb:

. If it was me I would figure out where the patch puller is in the ramrod channel and drill a small hole below it, intersecting the channel at as gentle an angle as possible. Then insert a stiff piece of heavy duty Weed Eater line in the hole and shove the patch puller out. My industrial strength Weed Eater line is an X in cross section and quite stiff. Failing that, try pushing with heavy gauge wire or a brazing rod, carefully flexing it to make the gentle bend entering the channel. Rounding off the tip will help.

EC121 · Nov 29, 2020

A lot of precarved stocks have the the whole channel routed out from just inside the entry pipe hole to the breech. Won't hurt a thing to cut a hole. A Popsicle stick(more or less 3/8") can be glued in the slot. I'm surprised there isn't already a hole behind the mainspring. That is another place that is usually knocked out inletting a lock. Once again it doesn't hurt anything.

Hatman/2nd line · Nov 29, 2020

Trapper I've had a problem once where the front lock bolt was hanging up the ramrod, had to file a small concave notch in it. Maybe your problem is similar?

Scota@4570 · Nov 29, 2020

Get a piece of hard brass tubing with and OD that matches the ramrod hole. The tubing is the kind that A&S sells as telescoping tubing. Secure the tubing to a piece of round steel, secure it really well. Solder it. Sharpen the end of the tubing like a cookie cutter. Run it down into the ramrod hold. Be sure it does not bind. If it binds at all open up the ramrod hole with a ramrod drill. Once it passes freely down to the debris work it over the debris. Maybe some alcohol to soften up the tape? Do not force it. Once you get the tube over the debris you can extract them inside the tube.

FYI, this is how to remove a stuck brass cleaning brush too.

Gun is finished but I got something stuck in the ramrod hole

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