Bad idea, but it turned out ok.

[11th corps]

A little target practice at my local gun range with my T/C .45 percussion Hawken. It was a beautiful morning, temps in the 60's and sunshine.
After a couple of shots I started another ball down the barrel with my short starter. I pushed it down to the muzzle end and the couldn't get it out of the barrel.
The round ball end of the starter (wood) came off the wood shaft. No biggie, I got a pair of pliers out and twisted the shaft. I was able to pop it out of the barrel. I started my range rod down and could tell it was not bottoming out. It then dawned on me the metal end of my short starter had come loose from the shaft and was now sitting on top of ball and powder.
What to do?
The smart thing would have been to just take it to my lgs, but he's not open today.
So I got to thinking about it (never a good idea) and decided that since Civil War soldiers sometimes launched their ram rods with their projectiles in the heat of battle, I could do the same thing.
So I did. Not with the rifle held in my arms but on a bag rest with me wearing gloves and turning my head to the side.
Fired it and here's where it landed.
Round ball hit on the left and end of starter on the right.

btw, I do not recommend doing this. It could have turned out badly.

 

[Jaeger]

A little target practice at my local gun range with my T/C .45 percussion Hawken. It was a beautiful morning, temps in the 60's and sunshine.
After a couple of shots I started another ball down the barrel with my short starter. I pushed it down to the muzzle end and the couldn't get it out of the barrel.
The round ball end of the starter (wood) came off the wood shaft. No biggie, I got a pair of pliers out and twisted the shaft. I was able to pop it out of the barrel. I started my range rod down and could tell it was not bottoming out. It then dawned on me the metal end of my short starter had come loose from the shaft and was now sitting on top of ball and powder.
What to do?
The smart thing would have been to just take it to my lgs, but he's not open today.
So I got to thinking about it (never a good idea) and decided that since Civil War soldiers sometimes launched their ram rods with their projectiles in the heat of battle, I could do the same thing.
So I did. Not with the rifle held in my arms but on a bag rest with me wearing gloves and turning my head to the side.
Fired it and here's where it landed.
Round ball hit on the left and end of starter on the right.

btw, I do not recommend doing this. It could have turned out badly.


View attachment 45479

Combat load! Alternative buck 'n ball!

 

[Greg Blackburn]

I probably would have done the same thing.

I have had a lot of "bad ideas that turned out OK."

 

[BigSkyRambler]

I don't think it was enough of an obstruction to cause a problem. That is why none of my ramrods or starters have metal tips.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Just to keep the exciting moments to a minimum; ramrod, short starter or other similar items should have the tips pinned on so they don’t come loose.

 

[Sidney Smith]

I always pin my tips even though they are also glued on with strong epoxy.

 

[Ames]

Just a little confused by this. The brass ends on my starters don't go in the barrel tight. The ball and patch are tight, but if I bottomed out my short starter, and turned the gun 180 muzzle down, the starter would hit the dirt. Its smaller than the bore and dose not grab the patch.
You sure you don't have a 50 starter going into a 45 barrel? Also sure you don't have a larger 50 patch going into a 45 barrel? That would leave too much patch over the ball and could grab a tip on you.
When I use mine I'm pushing on nothing but ball, not patch. Just askin'.

 

[smo]

Looks a little low and right!

Move those sights ever so slightly.... and pin your rods!

I’m glad you got it worked out safely...

 

[Cowboy]

LOL!

Been there done that. Other’s I shoot with, the same.

Starter tips to include RR tips. Double ball on a load? Double load??

Not going on the record claiming it’s safe practices. Will only say “ Shirt Happens! “ lol.

Like mentioned above. Pin your tips. Don’t use brass threaded loading/cleaning jags if that is what’s on the end of your RR? Steel threads on your jags my friend.

Glad it worked out for ya.

Welcome aboard !!

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Jaeger]

Just a little confused by this. The brass ends on my starters don't go in the barrel tight. The ball and patch are tight, but if I bottomed out my short starter, and turned the gun 180 muzzle down, the starter would hit the dirt. Its smaller than the bore and dose not grab the patch.
You sure you don't have a 50 starter going into a 45 barrel? Also sure you don't have a larger 50 patch going into a 45 barrel? That would leave too much patch over the ball and could grab a tip on you.
When I use mine I'm pushing on nothing but ball, not patch. Just askin'.

I'm a little surprised at the original problem as well. Maybe I don't get out much, but I have never seen a ball starter with a snout that fits tightly in the bore, because they don't have to fit tightly to do the job.

 

[Ames]

Wonder if someone gave him a starter with a jag on it.

 

[Cowboy]

Wonder if someone gave him a starter with a jag on it.

Only assuming, but it sounds like it ?

Have had jags in the past that would barely clear the bore diameter i/e .50 caliber jag for a .50 caliber barrel. Extremely tight fit ! That coupled with brass threads on the jag, I could see that happening.

Only an assumption of course!

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Ames]

Well, perhaps the next time he logs on we can solve the mystery.

 

[11th corps]

It was a starter that belonged to my Dad. I believe he may have made it himself. The rod got stuck when I pushed it down the barrel. When I pulled it out first the ball came off the rod. I got the rod out and then pushed the charge down with my range rod before realizing the brass tip was missing. It fits pretty tight normally. It wasn't going to come out on its own. I had already fired a number of shots so fouling may have tightened things up.

Anyway, no harm, no foul.

 

[smo]

It happens ...

A Word of advice however...

Do Not point it at your Wife’s flower vase !
Even with just a few grns of fffg down the nipple and a cap....

Never did find that jag....lol

 

[Greg Blackburn]

I couldn't find a fancy wood and brass starter so I used an all plastic one for years. Worked fine.

 

[rp77469]

Nice group.