Help fixing a dumb mistake.

So. I got an original coach gun a few days ago and managed to get a hand cast foster slug stuck down the bore dry. Tried using my bullet puller and had no luck. The nipples are rusted shut even after an overnight bath in kroil, and the plug doesn't want out either. I saw a video of a guy drilling it out with a drill bit extender, but I don't know if that is safe, so I am here asking y'all for advice.

Just buy a Co2 extractor and blow them out. Once the gun is cleared then you can work on freeing the nipples easier and safely.

Johnny Too-Tall said:

Just buy a Co2 extractor and blow them out. Once the gun is cleared then you can work on freeing the nipples easier and safely.

Click to expand...

Will that work if the nipples won't come off? I thought those needed to be removed first.

TrippyMcGuire556 said:

Will that work if the nipples won't come off? I thought those needed to be removed first.

Click to expand...

Mine you came with adapters for flint and percussion. I can leave nipple in and blow it out.

Johnny Too-Tall said:

Mine you came with adapters for flint and percussion. I can leave nipple in and blow it out.

Click to expand...

Cool. What brand. I might see if Buffalo arms has em today when I go up there for powder.

apply more kroil n use heat gun to apply the heat to hook breach, small tourch will work also.

TrippyMcGuire556 said:

Cool. What brand. I might see if Buffalo arms has em today when I go up there for powder.

Click to expand...

Mines a Saf-T unloader

planefixer da50 said:

apply more kroil n use heat gun to apply the heat to hook breach, small tourch will work also.

Click to expand...

If its a coach gun, it's likely to be a double. I'd be afraid of melting solder using a torch. the drill bit method would work fine. Build up the bit flutes with wraps of tape to keep it centered in the bore, and go at it by hand. A good learning experience not to fit bare slugs down a shotgun bore. If it's an original, it's probably not modern standard bore size.

The CO2 unloader isn't going to work if the nipples are rusted shut. A small pin may open the hole in the nipple up enough for the unloader to work. If there is powder down the bore, don't use a torch. That may get hot enough to set of any powder charge that may be down the bore.

First, @TrippyMcGuire556 should remove the nipples. Apply Kroil or a mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid to penetrate the rust. Use a sturdy nipple wrench and tap the end while turning to loosen the nipple. Second, insert a zerk fitting on the nipple seat and use a grease gun to remove the slug. Pour some of the penetrating fluid down the bore to the slug.

Years ago a guy in my hometown was drilling a stuck bullet and the charge went off. He was seriously wounded. I don't know the details as I was a little boy at the time, but his brother is still nervous around muzzleloaders.

Grenadier1758 said:

The CO2 unloader isn't going to work if the nipples are rusted shut. A small pin may open the hole in the nipple up enough for the unloader to work. If there is powder down the bore, don't use a torch. That may get hot enough to set of any powder charge that may be down the bore.

First, @TrippyMcGuire556 should remove the nipples. Apply Kroil or a mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid to penetrate the rust. Use a sturdy nipple wrench and tap the end while turning to loosen the nipple. Second, insert a zerk fitting on the nipple seat and use a grease gun to remove the slug. Pour some of the penetrating fluid down the bore to the slug.

Click to expand...

There's no powder. I loaded it dry accidentally at the range. Got distracted talking to a buddy and shoved the slug down the barrel I didn't add a powder charge to. The nipples are open, just rusted in place. I cleaned it out before the trip and it will cap off fine.

You should be able to get enough powder in to shoot the ball out if you can get the nipple out and seat the ball to the bottom of the barrel. always worked for me

Personally, I would concentrate on getting the nipples out first if you have plans to shoot the gun in the future. Only a matter of time before the next dryball….. If the nipples have solid flats and you have as decent nipple wrench that fits, they should be removable. Then there is the option of drilling the nipples out (consider using a left hand drill) and an easy-out, though you will obviously destroy the original nipples, but they are a replaceable wear item.

get yourself a heavy brass range rod with 10-32 thread. then get the heaviest bullet screw you can find. think big on the screw. pour an ounce of oil like ballistol in on top of the ball. if the screw you used penetrated the ball before screw in the new screw before pouring in the oil. let it sit for an hour or so.
heat the outside of the barrel with a hair dryer. when as warm as it can get it, lock the range rod into a vice, car door, freezer lid or what ever you have handy. don't ask. pull on the gun. it multiplies the weight and energy to pull the bullet out. never had one fail to come out. though have had to use the grease gun once. if you get the nipple out i would recommend that method.
I must be on Buffalo Arms fecal roster. every time i have stopped by they have been locked up like fort knox.

Try to dislodge the slug by hitting the end of the barrels with a soft wooden implement like a 2X4. The inertia of impact should cause the slug to slowly move to the end of the barrel for removal. Maybe worth a try. Just don't get carried away and use a soft piece of lumber.

deerstalkert said:

range rod into a vice, car door, freezer lid or what ever you have handy.

Click to expand...

Absolutely. I screw in the T handle and use a gap in the front porch deck boards.

Gun. Smith. Black powder gunsmith.

Henry Miles said:

Try to dislodge the slug by hitting the end of the barrels with a soft wooden implement like a 2X4. The inertia of impact should cause the slug to slowly move to the end of the barrel for removal. Maybe worth a try. Just don't get carried away and use a soft piece of lumber.

Click to expand...

Don’t Do This ^

sturmkatze said:

Gun. Smith. Black powder gunsmith.

Click to expand...

Yep .......

try this, screw in a ball puller BUT don’t pull…. Tap it out with a hammer lightly at first. Also maybe spray some WD-40 down the barrel