How to get rifle unloaded

20 November 2010, 22:54

My powder is evidently wet. It did not fire this morning on the deer stand.

It must have gotten too much humidity - I loaded it last night - obviously now I should have waited until this morning to load it.

Now what? Is it best to remove the nipple and drain out the powder somehow or squirt some water or oil in to the powder and then pull the ball with a screw?

I also heard of taking the nipple out and putting a small amount of fresh powder in and it will ignite the old powder.

ALLEN W. JOHNSON - DRSS

Into my heart on air that kills
From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills,
What spires, what farms are those?
That is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.

A. E. Housman

21 November 2010, 03:15

els

zI have had good success with dribbling dry powder in and putting nipple bach on and firing but I think he best thing is to get a kit that uses co2 cartridge to blow the ball out.

21 November 2010, 03:16

Slowpoke Slim

Do NOT try to pull the ball with a screw puller.

I have used this method several times:

Remove the nipple, shake out some of the wet powder if you can, then trickle in as much dry powder through the nipple hole as you can, screw the nipple back in, cap it and fire.

When you fire it, watch down in front of the rifle to see the ball impact the ground, to insure the ball came out. If the ball came out, as in you SAW the impact into the dirt downrange, then you are done and in the clear.

Sometimes the ball just travels forward in the barrel, and not all the way out. If this happens, redo the operation, with getting as much powder through the nipple hole as you can. Since the ball has now moved forward, you have room now for more powder behind it. Make sure you RESEAT THE BALL over the powder charge again before you recap it and fire it again.

The most I've had to do is the second attempt. As with the ball moved forward, you have ample room for enough powder to drive the ball out and free of the barrel.

21 November 2010, 23:13

Palmer

Thanks very much to you both. That is what I will try.

22 November 2010, 01:32

Mark

I stand the rifle vertically on the butt, then use a pin or paper clip and clear out the nipple and put some fine powder in it. Then replace cap and fire. Be prepared for a hangfire, sometimes it happens. It may take 2 or 3 times if the powder is wet or old.

If you don't have any 4f powder just grind a tiny bit between 2 teaspoons, it doesn't take much at all.

23 November 2010, 07:17

dpcd

I use a flintlock and avoid all that damp nipple/flash channel thing altogether. I used to think cap locks were more reliable, but, they aren't. Maybe unless it is raining hard.

23 November 2010, 08:24

quote:
Originally posted by Slowpoke Slim:
Do NOT try to pull the ball with a screw puller.

why not?

23 November 2010, 15:24

Slowpoke Slim

jb,

Well, because it is an absolute exercise in frustration that's completely unnecessary. If you use my method above, you'll never have to "screw around" with a screw-ball puller.

Don't know if you've ever tried a screw puller before? If you have a properly tight fitting patch/ball or conical projectile seated in your barrel, you will play hell getting it out, even with 2 people, 1 holding the rifle, and the other pulling with the rod. It's also a very good way to break a ramrod.

The other method is so easy, it makes a screw puller irrelevant.

Now the CO2 injection method is kind of cool, but the CO2 "puller" is kind of pricey, you only get one "shot" per cylinder (they leak), and it's one more thing you have to carry around with you in your kit. You should already be carrying everything you need for the other method (basically a nipple wrench and a powder measure).

This method also works the same way for when you inadvertently seat a ball without putting a powder charge in first. Sooner or later, it WILL happen to you. It's just a matter of time.

23 November 2010, 20:25

degoins

quote:
Don't know if you've ever tried a screw puller before? If you have a properly tight fitting patch/ball or conical projectile seated in your barrel, you will play hell getting it out, even with 2 people, 1 holding the rifle, and the other pulling with the rod. It's also a very good way to break a ramrod.

Amen to that!! I have NEVER been able to pull a ball. I have broken a ramrod and yanked the end off one. Total waste of time. Just shoot it out.

24 November 2010, 03:05

calgarychef1

My underhammer has a removable breechplug....I guess I should be grateful! I've never had the problem mentioned but I'm sure it's frustrating.

24 November 2010, 07:06

quote:
Originally posted by Slowpoke Slim:
jb,

Well, because it is an absolute exercise in frustration that's completely unnecessary. If you use my method above, you'll never have to "screw around" with a screw-ball puller.

Don't know if you've ever tried a screw puller before? If you have a properly tight fitting patch/ball or conical projectile seated in your barrel, you will play hell getting it out, even with 2 people, 1 holding the rifle, and the other pulling with the rod. It's also a very good way to break a ramrod.

The other method is so easy, it makes a screw puller irrelevant.

Now the CO2 injection method is kind of cool, but the CO2 "puller" is kind of pricey, you only get one "shot" per cylinder (they leak), and it's one more thing you have to carry around with you in your kit. You should already be carrying everything you need for the other method (basically a nipple wrench and a powder measure).

This method also works the same way for when you inadvertently seat a ball without putting a powder charge in first. Sooner or later, it WILL happen to you. It's just a matter of time.

I have been able to remove a few ball,and a few sabots from my guns,when shooting it out wasnt an option.

24 November 2010, 07:30

dpcd

I have used a ball puller many times when my brain failed to sequence the loading operation properly. On a 7/16ths fiberglas loading rod, with a foot of grooves machined into it, and a friend who holds the rifle for me. Not with a rifle hickory ram rod, which you can't get hold on.

25 November 2010, 05:43

Palmer

Thanks for the advice. Shooting out the ball worked fine. I removed the nipple and shook out as much powder as I could then dribbled in some Pyrodex, replaced the nipple and it went off fine. I measured it on the seating rod to verify that the ball had left the barrel.

All this prompts a question. How in the heck did old mountain men or civil war soldiers keep out of this problem? Did they walk around with unloaded rifles in indian and griz country or in vicinity of the enemy only to load them when they thought it expedient?

25 November 2010, 08:48

calgarychef1

It probably has something to do with the saying "keep your powder dry"

25 November 2010, 21:28

dpcd

Mountain men did not use the tight ball/patch idea that we use today, and worms and ball pullers were in use way back. In military use, worms and ball pullers were standard issue, but in battle, you just got a rifle-musket from someone else who didn't need it any more. As you probably have read, after battles, it was common to pick up rifle-muskets with two to several loads in them, stacked on top of the other. On another note, they make ramrod grabbers that give you a grip on the short part of a ramrod sticking out after you screw your ball puller in. Track has them but I have never used one. On a tight ball/patch, I have doubts...

25 November 2010, 22:20

Slowpoke Slim

Palmer,

Glad it worked out for you. That method was passed down to me by an "oldtimer" that was watching me and a buddy trying to pull a stuck ball out of my ML with a screw puller.

He "heehawwed" at us for a few minutes, then took pity on us and stopped us before we could break the rod off, and told us how to get it out "properly". That was 30 years ago.

I've used that method a few times myself, and passed it on to whomever was in need since then. It works, it's time proven, and I believe it is probably the way the original mountain men did it back in the day.

I also believe they kept the nipple area wrapped in a covering, and also covered their muzzle with something to help keep moisture out.

For myself, in "modern times" I use a musket nipple/cap on my rifle, instead of the No. 11 nipple and cap, as to put more flame into the powder charge to help prevent hangfires/missfires from damp powder.

26 November 2010, 04:21

dpcd

Unfortunately, that method does not work on a flintlock. And I don't shoot those new fangled cap guns as I am always afraid I might lose the caps. I can always find rocks.

28 November 2010, 08:29

Idaho Sharpshooter

flint guns are easy. Plug the touch hole and yank it out with the ball puller tip for your ramrod.

dpcd: you HAVE heard the saying "nipples belong on a woman's chest, not a man's rifle" haven't you?

Rich

28 November 2010, 22:33

dpcd

I have never heard that saying, but I like it.

30 November 2010, 02:11

wyoske

Throw it in the river, buy a cartridge gun, never happen again

30 November 2010, 04:01

Idaho Sharpshooter

dpcd,

you may quote me, without crediting me. It's waaay too cool to keep to yourself.

I got to start saving money for one of your rifles. The ASSRA thread and pictures are great!

Rich

05 December 2010, 19:12

OLBIKER

quote:
Originally posted by Slowpoke Slim:
jb,

Well, because it is an absolute exercise in frustration that's completely unnecessary. If you use my method above, you'll never have to "screw around" with a screw-ball puller.

Don't know if you've ever tried a screw puller before? If you have a properly tight fitting patch/ball or conical projectile seated in your barrel, you will play hell getting it out, even with 2 people, 1 holding the rifle, and the other pulling with the rod. It's also a very good way to break a ramrod.

The other method is so easy, it makes a screw puller irrelevant.

Now the CO2 injection method is kind of cool, but the CO2 "puller" is kind of pricey, you only get one "shot" per cylinder (they leak), and it's one more thing you have to carry around with you in your kit. You should already be carrying everything you need for the other method (basically a nipple wrench and a powder measure).

This method also works the same way for when you inadvertently seat a ball without putting a powder charge in first. Sooner or later, it WILL happen to you. It's just a matter of time.

I made bullet pullers by welding wood screws on iron rod with a t handle.Works slick as snot by myself.

08 December 2010, 04:26

Idaho Sharpshooter

Did we EVER get this bullet pulled?

just curious...

Rich
flinters

11 December 2010, 23:04

Slowpoke Slim

Yes,

He got it out by firing it out.

Look way, way up the thread. It's there.

14 December 2010, 07:19

Idaho Sharpshooter

Sorry, it's been so long, I forgot.

Rich

16 December 2010, 22:48

Concho42

I made a puller from a brass rod .437/7/16" threaded one end 10/32 for a CVA puller , I have had ocasion to use it when people I know forgot the powder at the club I belong to and I myself at a black powder shoot forgot the powder while reloading and talking to pals .

01 January 2011, 05:06

Slowpoke Slim

Well, you're are free to carry around as much extra crap as you want.

What do you do if there's no tree around to "hook the handle" on?

I will shoot mine out with just the stuff that I would normally be carrying if I was hunting in the field anyway.

When I'm in the field I carry a couple of self contained reloads in shirt pockets, and a nipple wrench. Other than the ramrod, which sits in the gun, that's all I would need.

Feel free to do it the hard way.

Happy New Year to everybody.

01 January 2011, 21:54

Slowpoke Slim

Nice,

By all means, feel free to change the scenario to fit what you want.

Both the OP (original poster-remember him?) and myself have been talking about CAP LOCK GUNS.

Have a Happy New Year anyway, if you can.

02 January 2011, 02:06

Slowpoke Slim

quote:
Educate me.

I don't think it's possible.

You have decided to put your attitude in the way. The smallest package in the world is a closed mind.

[quote]I offered sound advice. I offerd specifics on how to do it. [quote]

As did I. And if you read the thread, the advice I gave worked. You seem to have trouble with that, although I don't know why. I think you must have some axe to grind here for some reason, but that's your issue, not mine.

I doubt you are capable of having a nice day, but I will wish you one anyway.