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Have TC Hawkens 45cal percussion with a maxi ball stuck. Ramrod with extractor broke off in barrel trying to remove it. Tried CO2 and putting pyrodex in torch hole and it won't budge. Other than removing breech plug any other ideas>
 
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If you remove the nipple and take your time working some powder into the hole and replace nipple it will shoot out you must get as much powder as possible in for it to work also may take more than one try trust me it works
 
I removed a maxi ball from a 50 with a steel range rod and screw type puller. It was a load that had been left in the rifle for a long time. I put a liberal coat of oil down the barrel. Screwed the puller well into the maxi ball and out it came. Range rod is much stronger than a ram rod.
 
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I think a little more information is in order. Exactly how did it happen? Did the powder charge fail to go off? Did you forget to put powder in? Where in the barrel is the maxi ball? What are you calling a torch hole? The details will make a difference in the best way to get it out.
 
I think a little more information is in order. Exactly how did it happen? Did the powder charge fail to go off? Did you forget to put powder in? Where in the barrel is the maxi ball? What are you calling a torch hole? The details will make a difference in the best way to get it out.

'Torch hole' = 'touch hole'. the rest the OP will have to tell us, but the FIRST thing to do it to put that ball as far down the barrel as it will go.
 
No charge behind the maxi ball. The hickory ramrod broke off in the barrel when trying to remove the bullet with the extractor tip. The bullet is seated at the breech plug. Removed the nipple and used a fine wire to poke pyrodex into the opening, four tries with this method and it didn't budge.

Had the barrel with a gunsmith for two months. He was not a musketloader specialist but he couldn't get it out.
 
'Torch hole' = 'touch hole'. the rest the OP will have to tell us, but the FIRST thing to do it to put that ball as far down the barrel as it will go.
I did think of touch hole, but he also states it is a percussion which confused me further! Hopefully the poster will come back with more info so he can get it going!
 
If you remove the nipple and take your time working some powder into the hole and replace nipple it will shoot out you must get as much powder as possible in for it to work also may take more than one try trust me it works
True. But, first you MUST seat the ball/bullet on the charge, however small, to be safe. This is where a good range rod made of stainless steel or brass can come in handy as you might have to do some hammering to seat that ball.
 
The problem here is the extractor is still screwed into the ball which caused it to expand. There are wickedly dangerous things you can pour down the barrel to dissolve the lead, vinegar and peroxide come to mind, but the lead acetate formed is toxic and easily absorbed. It may also cause rust.

Is there a cotton patch around the ball? You might find something that can eat away the cotton and maybe then it will loosen enough to come out.

The last choice I can think of is to remove the barrel and heat it until the lead melts. Not sure what this will do to the barrel since you need 700degrees F or higher. Might change the temper of the steel, not really sure.

The grease gun thing is probably safest.
 
You can probably buy or borrow a T/C breach plug wrench from someone here on these forums. That is not as hard to do as you might think. Also that would give you the opportunity to fully inspect the barrel for possible damage.
 

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My Traditions is an M6x1 thread, make sure you get the correct thread. You can get more than you will ever need for $10 in fittings.

I might squirt some oil in from the muzzle too.

How well do the CO2 devices work? I've been thinking about getting one, or using a little bottle with my airgun compressor to have HPA to blow out mistakes.
 

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