OK. Stupid Question Time

[BigSkyRambler]

Got a .54 TC Hawken and like so many I am seeing had been dry balled and put away for who knows how long. Was planning to shoot it out when I discovered it had a musket nipple. manure! Was able to get it out, but don't have a compatible nipple in hand. Stupid Question: Has anyone tried to shoot out a ball cannon style? By that I mean, get as much powder behind the ball, in the snail and in the nipple, and set off with a long match? Would strap it down and stand back, knowing there will be a fire geyser. Is this like Bad Idea Jeans? FYI. Nipples ordered, but I am bored today.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Crack on, what could go wrong?

 

[deermanok]

One way to find out, I guess.
Without the nipple on, you probably will just get a flash and no kaboom.

 

[bubba.50]

Just my opinion but, the thread title sure seems accurate. If you don't have a musket cap or two I'd wait on the new nipples.

 

[andy52]

Just my thought is that without the nipple in place you won't get enough pressure to push the ball out the barrel.

 

[Elkhorse]

I wouldn't advise trying to hit the nipple hole with an incendiary round from one of your other muzzle loaders from a safe distance but that's just me.
Got 911 on speed dial?

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Wait for the nipple.

 

[dave951]

Without video, it never happened...............

 

[2 shots]

first question is how far down is the ball?????????

 

[user 49399]

I’ve dry balled a couple times and I’ve bought muzzleloaders with an unknown load in them. I went to the hardware store and bought a pack of assorted grease zerks. There will be one that fits the gun. All it takes is a few strokes of a grease gun and the load comes safely and easily out. Of course you have to clean the grease out of the barrel but it ain’t that hard. Just a little messy.

This is the safest method I’ve found to remove unknown loads or obstructions. Also, it doesn’t matter where the obstruction is in the barrel.

 

[BigSkyRambler]

I figured as much. But the mind goes where the mind wants to go and just needs to be brought back.

 

[user 49399]

Yeah, bring it back

 

[Grenadier1758]

I warned @Idaho Ron that in less than 6 months his excellent video would be overlooked. In the General Muzzleloading Forum, there is a thread titled "I Have a Stuck Ball". In the video, Idaho Ron takes a barrel in roughly the same condition as yours and easily removes the stuck ball with the use of the zerk fitting and his grease gun.

@BigSkyRambler,
Since that ball has been in the barrel for such a long time, co sider using g the grease gun.

 

[TreeMan]

My mainspring broke in my flintlock Mortimer last year with a load in the barrel (not a dry ball). I used a lit cigarette to touch off the powder in the pan. Scared the manure outta me and burned all the hair off my hand. It worked but I wouldn’t recommend it without a heavy welders glove on. Not sure how it would work out with a percussion gun other than there is gonna be a flamethrower blowing out of your drum with the nipple removed.

 

[Flintlock]

Plews 05-045 or simulay pointed needle nozzle fitting (zerk) is what I use, hold it against the nipple, treaded hole or against a touch-hole while someone operates the frease gun. Works wonders, Dump a little oil or tranny fluid down the bore to lube it and the patch as well.

 

[BS]

Try cannon fuse in the nipple.

 

[nhmoose]

Hope you know if it's not loaded with smokeless powder. Get a 1/4 /28 grease fitting and pump it out with grease.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

My mainspring broke in my flintlock Mortimer last year with a load in the barrel (not a dry ball). I used a lit cigarette to touch off the powder in the pan. Scared the manure outta me and burned all the hair off my hand. It worked but I wouldn’t recommend it without a heavy welders glove on. Not sure how it would work out with a percussion gun other than there is gonna be a flamethrower blowing out of your drum with the nipple removed.

Next time use a rubber band for a temporary main spring and save your hair.

 

[Stantheman86]

A new nipple is a 3-Day Priority Mail trip away

If you are sure theres no powder in there just use the #11 nipple with a few grains of powder in the bolster, and bloop it out. I've done this many times.

I'm planning on grease zerking a stuck bullet out of my .69 Pedersoli musket but I'm letting it soak with Hoppes for a few days in an attempt to maybe pull it

I wouldn't try to match lock it out, probably just a waste of your time.

 

[Idaho Ron]

I warned @Idaho Ron that in less than 6 months his excellent video would be overlooked. In the General Muzzleloading Forum, there is a thread titled "I Have a Stuck Ball". In the video, Idaho Ron takes a barrel in roughly the same condition as yours and easily removes the stuck ball with the use of the zerk fitting and his grease gun.

@BigSkyRambler,
Since that ball has been in the barrel for such a long time, co sider using g the grease gun.

You called it