I was testing some new loads in my Savage 200 .243 along with one of the Simmons MS scopes. I couldn't get the scope to move poi at all ! (this was my second scope as I had the same problems with the first)
Finally I got what appeared to be a group but not where I wanted it. and started to shoot another the second shell went pop, I know what happened, primer shoved a .243 bullet up the bbl. No problem ,tap it out with the cleaning rod but broke the cleaning rod. Took it home used a better rod, broke another rod. Disgusted and mad. Got a steel rod put it in the bbl and gave it a sharp rap. couldn't get the steel rod out ! Put it in a vice to twist the rod out and it snapped off inside the bbl. Finally gave up and took the whole kit and kabbdole to a Gunsmith, Scope,rifle loads rings etc. I haven't had the courage yet to see if I messed up everything. I'm sure the steel rod went into and expanded the copper bullet casing.
The scope thing had me really hopping as it was the second new one the company sent me and I was expecting it to move poi. At one time I was shooting 3 shot cloverleafs but couldn't get them to move left or right or up and down. Now with a bullet and steel rod stuck in the rifle I doubt if any of it is usable or accurate.

I'll give ya $50 for it sight unseen.....and yes I'm laughing.

Believe me we all know the frustration.

Simmons' mattresses are OK but their scopes are junk.

Ahhhhh! I think the key will be if any of the various bullet removal devices deflected and tweaked your barrel. The scope is yet another issue, hopefully your rifle will still shoot the cloverleafs, and you can get on to getting a scope that will move the poi where you want.

You never know about these things, if you ever saw Saeeds test of barrel crowns, where they geeked up the crown something fierce with a dremel tool, and the damn thing actually shot better!

Keepin my fingers crossed for you--Don

Just but another round in it and BLOW it out of there!

Seriously though I would say that it will be alright. Just take the scope the junk pile and the money you saved by getting the Savage and buy a decent one.

Just unscrew the barrel and use it in the garden to hold the tomato plants up with, screw on another barrel and go shooting.

Three suggestions for next time (and many of us have been there and probably will be again, so no offense):

1): Steel rod close to bore size. A nice, 1/4" ought to work in your case. Cut to stick-out about 1/2". This will be coupled to a BFH later.

2): Lubrication, Kroil, 3-in-one, 30W, whatever use lots of it.

3): Bigger hammer.

I would avoid trying to put a 1/4" rod (243 barrels usually have a bore diameter of .236")
down my barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by ElCaballero:
Just but another round in it and BLOW it out of there!

Elcabelero was kidding here.....but I'm not.

The last time I stuck a bullet in the barrel of a 223 I used merely a primer and 10 grains of black powder and blew the bullet out. Notice I didn't use another bullet.....just the fg black powder. It's been a while and my memory may be bad....I worked up the charge of black powder and maybe it was 20 grains.....but no more.

Further, I'm not saying this is good or a correct thing to do but it sure worked for me.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Originally posted by ElCaballero:
Just but another round in it and BLOW it out of there!

Elcabelero was kidding here.....but I'm not.

The last time I stuck a bullet in the barrel of a 223 I used merely a primer and 10 grains of black powder and blew the bullet out. Notice I didn't use another bullet.....just the fg black powder. It's been a while and my memory may be bad....I worked up the charge of black powder and maybe it was 20 grains.....but no more.

Further, I'm not saying this is good or a correct thing to do but it sure worked for me.

Funny you should mention that method because that is exactly what happened (accidently though) when actor Brendon Lee was shot and killed on the movie The Crow. A full load .44 mag blank was fired in a revolver that had a bullet stuck in the barrel and the blank had enough force to blow that bullet out at a velocity high enough to puncture his stomach and tear an artery near his spine.

Well I got up enough courage to call the gunsmith this morning after being soaked for hours in the rain trying to kill a turkey. He hasn't been able to get it out either but said he learned a lot of new words ! He is going to take the bbl off then screw something into the base of the bullet and try to remove it. he thinks the steel rod is wedged between the bullet and bbl.
If the thing is not accurate or useable, I would sell it for 100.00 to some one who wants to use the action and stock for a rebarrel job.
As to the scope,I was taken in by some outdoor writers who praised the NEW simmons Master series so much. I had to try one !

I gotta say this for you, you certainly picked an appropriate screen name!

Rick you would not believe the stuff that has happened in the past 10 days. I won't bore you with all the details. But I've hunted every day since turkey season has opened and not heard a gobble or seen a turkey. (I have killed one the first day every year for 20 yrs) I lost my wedding ring while hunting, I bought a New Remington 750 woodmaster and the forearmm was broken, no parts available as it is so new ! and just on and on. The name sure does fit !

quote:

Originally posted by hard luck:
Rick you would not believe the stuff that has happened in the past 10 days. I won't bore you with all the details. But I've hunted every day since turkey season has opened and not heard a gobble or seen a turkey. (I have killed one the first day every year for 20 yrs) I lost my wedding ring while hunting, I bought a New Remington 750 woodmaster and the forearmm was broken, no parts available as it is so new ! and just on and on. The name sure does fit !

Hey if your wife believes that wedding ring story you won’t get any arguments from me!

Perfect example of why I don't wear my wedding ring in the woods!

As to the Simmons scopes. I have a Whitetail Expedition on my .223 which is working great, but I would not put one on anything bigger.

Probably wouldn't have bought that one, but was cash short at the time and wanted to go shooting!

Don't know where you guys problems have come from.

I've used and have at least four Simmon's scopes on: .223, .243, '06, and 300Win for several years.

The only two problems I've ever had was: bought one with the Ruby Red Lens. Was a clear glass, very good shooter etc. Only problem if that was an actual problem. I just couldn't get used to the blue/green background color.

Then the final straw was during a match on a dark cloudy light rainy day when the 200yds target was plain to see w/naked eye, yet couldn't even find it in the scope. Sent it in with explanation asking for a refund, or replacement of equal value. They replaced it with a .44Mag with a list price much higher than I paid.

The other Simmons problem was a 20x binocs that got grass inside the tube. My first try with such a high powered glass, had to try it. Just too much power, but, it sure did stack powerpoles together like a picket fence. Those antelope a mile away could be seen very well too.

But, when the grass stems got inside, I knew it had lost it's gas and would fog up soon. Sent it back and asked them to repair it, or IF they felt it needed replacement, to do so with a lower powered glass. They sent a 15x of better quality that's been flawless.

I've used Simmon's scopes since they came on the market and shoot thousands a year under them. These are the only two problems I've had.
During the same time I've had an old K4 and a 6x Leupold die. The Leupold they replaced. The K4 was just junked after the new company refused to back it and referred me to repair in ElPaso and they wanted $45 to fix a 40 yr old $30 scope.

Give them a try, I don't think you'd have any problems.

George

quote:

Originally posted by NEJack:
Perfect example of why I don't wear my wedding ring in the woods!

As to the Simmons scopes. I have a Whitetail Expedition on my .223 which is working great, but I would not put one on anything bigger.

Probably wouldn't have bought that one, but was cash short at the time and wanted to go shooting!

I have a Simmons Whitetail Expedition on my .300 Weatherby! I've never had a Simmons scope fail, never! Tasco is a different story!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Originally posted by ElCaballero:
Just but another round in it and BLOW it out of there!

Elcabelero was kidding here.....but I'm not.

The last time I stuck a bullet in the barrel of a 223 I used merely a primer and 10 grains of black powder and blew the bullet out. Notice I didn't use another bullet.....just the fg black powder. It's been a while and my memory may be bad....I worked up the charge of black powder and maybe it was 20 grains.....but no more.

Further, I'm not saying this is good or a correct thing to do but it sure worked for me.

I did much the same thing when I got a cleaning patch stuck in the barrel, I made a blank cartridge with about 10 grains of salvaged powder and blew it out, no damage to the tube.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
10 grains of black powder and blew the bullet out. .

Why black powder? muzzle loaders reckon their bullets need to be packed down onto the charge.
Maybe pistol powder would be better??

Let us know how this is going. If you are serious about the $100, I may be interested. Midway has inventory reduction on Savage barrels in 22-250AI and 308 Varmint and I have always kind of liked the idea of a switch barrel rifle.

I am serious or would trade for a decent scope to put on my new Remington 750. I will ke

Didn't get all of your last post, PM sent.

quote:

Why black powder? muzzle loaders reckon their bullets need to be packed down onto the charge.



Maybe pistol powder would be better??

No we don't. The bullet must be SEATED FIRMLY on the powder, but NOT PACKED DOWN. Packing down deforms the projectile and causes inaccuracy. When you see some turkey whanging away with his ramrod, after he's got the ball all the way down on the powder-HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL HE'S DOING!

A small amount of black powder will work, as even if the obstruction is not resting on the powder charge, pressures are so low that no damage will occur (usually!!). I would NOT use a fast smokeless powder for this (pistol powder).

Georgeld,
I don't mean anything out of the way by it but how in the world do you get grass stems inside of a binocular's tube? Am I missing something?

My own experience's with simmons and tascoe for that matter have been hit or miss. I'm partial to weaver scopes myself.