Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Stuck Round Ball

Hi guys,

I need some imput Please.

I have a Cabelas Hawkin .54 cal. I was out shooting yesterday & got a .530 round ball stuck halfway down the barrel. I screwed the stuck ball remover onto the ramrod & drilled it into the ball. When I went to pull the ball out, the screw pulled OFF the end of the ramrod (NOT unscrewed) pulled off!

Any constructive ideas would be welcomed.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Mark

Hi Mark,

I have never had that problem but I know there is a CO2 device available that will blow the ball and charge out. Cabela's

What kind of muzzleloader do you have? I am sure you are aware of it but if it is an inline you could always take the breach plug out and try ramming it out from the other end.

Good luck. Let me know what you come up with.

Jim

Do you have powder behind the ball? If not you can re move the nipple and dribble a pinch of powder in through the flash hole, then shoot it out. Seen it done once.
If you have a charge in it you could put oil thru the flash hole to make it a little safer, then if you don't have a lot of tools you might need a gunsmith.
Long drill bits aren't cheap. Bob

I'll 2nd the CO2.

MarkT,
If the ball is stuck halfway down the barrel DO NOT TRY TO FIRE the rifle!!
Since you said it is a Cabela's Hawkin, the breech plug is not removable, correct?
I would take it to a knowledgeable gunsmith or someone very familiar with BP rifles.
Good luck and let us know how you solve this.

most guys I know drive the ball ALL the way down with a brass rod or an aluminum cleaning rod, stick some FFFFG in the nipple a fire it.

Simplest way I know of....

Catnthehat

1. Tried the Co2...didn't budge it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
2. There is 60 grains of 777 behind this ball!
3. There is a Screw with brass threaded tip, screwed into the ball.

A. Should I still try to drive it down & shoot it????
B. Hatchers notebook says it shouldn't matter if I shoot it out from halfway down the barrel, BUT again there is a screw in it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Decisions, Decisionss...
Thoughts??? (This is a good one huh???) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mark

Friend of mine had this problem on opening day one time. He drove into town & found a hardware store open. They got out a really long drill, vised the barrel, and drilled a hole through the bullet. Then they took the rifle out back and fired it (small town). Blew out the bullet without damage to the rifle or shooter, and John was back in the field before noon.

Hawken with a hooked breach?

Take the barrel off, and see if you can unscrew the breach plug. That will let you push the ball out through the muzzle.

If you can't get it out, I would take it to a gunsmith and have him take it out (the breach plug) It sometimes takes a little heat....

Catnthehat

Find a new hobby, you ain't cut out for this one. Bob

Hi Mark,

I don't think I would try to shoot it with the ball not seated on the powder. Everything I have ever read says this is about the same as having an obstruction in the barrel. I wonder (when fired) what will happen when the ball tries to rotate with the puller screwed into it? I personally would go see a gunsmith and let him take it from here. You have tried the safe options and it is not worth getting hurt over to save a few $$$. Besides, you will be contributing to the hunting economy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I wish you luck and let us know what you finally come up with. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Jim

I'd try the CO2 a couple more times. I wouldn't mess with the drill bit route with that tip down in there. Get off to the side and there'd be a screwed up barrel. Give the CO2 another chance or 3, then take it to a gunsmith.

DO NOT FIRE THE CHARGE!!!

this has sort of happened to me when i didn't clean the bore after shooting too many shots and the barrel got heavily fouled.usually at a stake shoot or something.

i have a hooked breech so i pulled the barrel off. then i took off the nipple and poured some moose milk( or patch lube into the hole) and kept tipping it over till it came out pretty clean ( not really but i don't want to depress you).

that'll negate the powder at the breech. and that's the first thing to do - get rid of the 777!

pour some moose milk down the muzzle to loosen the fouling in front of the ball.then try the CO2.

OR get rid of the charge (see above), pour some rubbing alchohol in the nipple opening to dry it out enough to try a LIGHT load of 4f to push it out (no more than a frizzen load- 1-2 grains)

OR get rid of the charge (^) pour moose milk down the muzzle to soften the fouling in front of the ball, then try the CO2.

then take the ram rod,measure it, throw it away if its wood, buy a fibre glass rod and pin the fittings with small finishing brass nails, file flush and you're good to go.

also get a good uncle mikes steel range rod for the range.

it's always amazed me how often i still screw things up after all these years. a good range rod will clear up 90% of my screw ups.

depressing thing is i'm getting older , so it's probably gonna get worse <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />



ps get back to us all and let us know how it worked out... unless there's a law suit involved <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

PS: not a good idea to smoke while you're doing any of the above!



PPS: where do you get those CO2 thingy's? i've always been able to mooch one, but maybe i should plan for my REAL old age and get one of my own! (hopefully i'll remember where i put it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

Hi Hornhead,

Seems like you can get them at Cabela's. See my 1st or 2nd post (I think) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

All of your advice sounds good.

Jim

MarkT - I assume this is a percussion rifle. First, how did the ball get stuck halfway down? Was fouling in the bore making it too hard to hard to push down any further? Is there a patch on the ball? Is the patch lubed with anything?

The only way I see it is to get that ball seated on the powder. If you can do that, you should be able to shoot the ball out with the screw attached. After the ball is seated on the powder, if you want some insurance the thing will shoot, remove the nipple. Pick out the channel well with a pick or a paper clip. Dribble as much BP into there as you can. I would not use 777 for this. If all you have is FFg, put some of it between two spoons and gently crush it well. Otherwise, if you know a flinter guy, get some finer stuff from him to use for this. After you packed a bunch in there, install the nipple, cap and fire.

Now, if you can't get the ball seated as is you need to add something to the bore to soften the fouling. I would use a small bit of water or liquid lube to moisten all the fouling. But, if you use too much and the moisture reaches the powder then you've got a much bigger problem. A lube would probably be safer but it would take a while to get the fouling soft. Water works in just a minute. And you don't want to wait too long or the powder could get saturated.

Even if the charge is wet, or just won't blow for some reason, the above method of dribbling the primer under the nipple will still blow the ball outta there, if it has been firmly seated on the charge and hasn't been contaminated by moisture from the charge. For this to work reliably, though, you need fine black powder, not a substitute.

Good luck, sse

Here is the easiest and simplest method that most of the old timers use to cure such problems.

Take a tablespoon full of water or soapy water or spit, and pour it down the barrel. This will moisten the fouling and allow you to continue to seat the ball on the charge of powder. Then shoot out.

What ever you have stuck in the ball don't worry bout it. It will be gone and won't hurt the barrel any.

I have cured many of range "disasters" in such a manner. Most scoffed at me until I cured the problem. I usually ask each of the by standers to hock up a big one and spit in the barrel. that really get's em going! Till I pound it down and shoot it out.

Usually have to wait a few minutes to let said moisture do the trick.

Best of luck.

will we ever know if the ball was removed? will mark t give up in disgust or head to the the yukon with his refurbished hawken, open a trap line and hunt moose the rest of his days?
inquiring minds need to know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sorry Gents, I have been working & not playing much at all. I have made no headway on the Hawkin. I'll let you all know what happens here soon. Think I may just take it to the gunsmith & let him deal with the problem...

Thank you all for your ideas, I really do appreciate it.

Mark <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

no strain. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> i was just bored and felt like making a goofy post. if you're uncomfortable with it take it to your gunny. he'll know how to handle it if he's worth his salt, and if there's a problem - it's his problem.
good luck