Removing a ball?

[DeepintheHeart]

Any tips on removing a ball from a cylinder that didn't fire correctly? And while you're at it, any ADDITIONAL hints on getting a stuck nipple off? I have Pietta 1851 Confederate Navy Colt that came with three stuck nipples. I've tried penetrating oil (two types). I've tried hot water (but not ice bath following.) Any other ideas?

 

[dwave]

Well, if the ball is in a chamber that doesn't have a stuck nipple, you can take the nipple off and push it out from the back. It is recommened that you put some water down the nipple to make sure the powder doesn't go boom. Other methods is CO2 ball remover or a screw style ball remover.

As for the stuck nipple you could try soaking the cyl. in kerosene for a day or so, then give it a try.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

Kroil works well also, but it costs alot more than kerosene.

 

[Calibre44]

Take the nipple out from the chamber that the ball is stuck in (assuming that the nipple isn’t one of the ones that is stuck) and pour the powder that failed to ignite out.

Next carefully pour new powder back in and replace the nipple. Recap and fire the ball out.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

You can get a nipple charger that press up against a cone's flash hole and dispences a small charge.
Diesel fuel works pretty well jus' soak a few days to a week.

SG

 

[grimjaw]

I've used a friend's compressor the compressed air trick to remove a ball from a rifle barrel. Worked fine and convinced me to invest in a compressor myself.

jm

 

[RSVP2RIP]

How does that work? Do you need a special air chunck and what pressure do you use?

 

[madcratebuilder]

How does that work? Do you need a special air chunck and what pressure do you use?

A regular blowgun with a rubber tip, 100psi. With the cylinder clamped in a vise, I use a box of loose rags to catch the rb in.

For the stuck nipples, after a long penetrating oil soak I heat them with a heat gun (hair drier). Give them a few good taps with a brass punch or hammer. Wrap the cylinder in leather and be careful how you clamp it so you don't compress a chamber. Use the pipe jaws if your vise has them.

 

[Pulp]

Drill a small pilot hole into the bullet, then drive a screw into the hole and pull the bullet out.

 

[Sagetown]

Pulp and madcratebuilder's ideas work fine.
The added heat from the hair blow dryer causes expansion to the nipple ports which helps the penetrating oil.
There is also a Ball Extractor which fits onto the end of a cleaning rod that does the same thing as the screw. A good item to have handy.

 

[scrat]

i just take off the nipple. soak it with some water and let the water and powder mixture come out. then use a blunt 3 inch penny nail and drive it back out.

 

[Shultzhaus]

GrimJaw - coincidence, I have a ball stuck in my Traditions Frontier just yesterday. I thought it was loaded properly, but when I fired, all I got was a load crack from the cap. The ball is now ¾ of the way out the barrel. I tried the air compressor trick, ball did not move at all. My rig tops out at 120 psi, still no go. That rifle is the only one I have, that I cannot remove the breach plug. Immediatly ordered that Co2 thing from Cabelas last night. Hope that does the trick. I wonder if I can ram the ball back down the barrel, and then work some 3f into the drum, and fire it out? Any ideas guys?

 

[Chawbaccer]

You got it Shultzhaus, get some power behind the ball, ram it home and shoot it right out. Since it went 3/4 of the way out with just the cap, another cap may pop it right out, but be absolutely sure you didn't put any powder in the bore.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Shultzhaus that's jus' what I was gonna suggest to do. I have pulled balls with a puller and rod...what a pain but it works.
But easier to shoot in out with 10gr of ffg BP...ball rammed back onto the ball and bang poof, 10 feet away:O);...good job.

SG

 

[Macmac]

Just be aware that there could be some risk using compressed air... There is CO2 canisters made for this sort of thing, that injects CO2 rather than air..

On ocassions a long gun blows up getting loaded due to compression raising enough heat to set off the charge..

Probably this isn't very likely, but it is possible if powder remains in the chamber.

What this means to me is the cylinder should be padded in a vise, so if there is a discharge the clyinder is safe, the ball flies somewhere safe, and you are safe. If you expect a real discharge and are prepared for it and it never happens you are still better off.

 

[RSVP2RIP]

Just be aware that there could be some risk using compressed air... There is CO2 canisters made for this sort of thing, that injects CO2 rather than air..

The pressure in the 12 gram CO2 cylinders is on the order of 850psi at 70 deg F and there doesn't look like there is any room for a regulator on the ball dischargers.

 

[mykeal]

1) Ram the ball back down to the breach. Be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that it is fully down against the breach by measuring with the rod.
2) Attempt to blow it out with the CO2 discharger according to the unit's instructions
3) If that is not successful, ram the ball back down against the breech; again BE CERTAIN it is fully seated in the breech chamber.
4) Remove the nipple and put 3 to 5 gr of ffffg or fffg powder in the flash channel. Turn the gun on it's side and tap the breech to get the powder to enter the breech.
5) Reinstall the nipple, cap the gun and with the gun pointing in a safe direction, cock and fire the gun.
6) If that's unsuccessful, use a ramrod and ball puller.

 

[Shultzhaus]

If there was any powder in the barrel, it should have fired, since the cap pushed the ball that far out. Just for safe measure, I filled the barrel with Butch's Bore Shine, so I don't get any corrosion, and would kill any powder left in there, until the Co2 blaster arrives. Also, I ordered one of those screw type ball pullers. As always, thanks for all the tips.

 

[Macmac]

mykeal , he is talking a six shooter i believe.

........ ................
I have never used a CO2 canister once, but as I understand it the powder can't burn off since the atmosphere is .999% CO2, and so nuthin' can burn, in theory not even after being heated by compression.

 

[mykeal]

Macmac: Nope. Traditions Frontier (see post #12).

 

[RSVP2RIP]

I ordered one of those screw type ball pullers

Those usually work well for me but you may want to invest in a stout steel range rod. You can break the wood rod very easily if you don't pull straight up. I've broken one trying to remove a ball, an then you have a real problem. With the range rod you can tie a clove hitch around it and pull the gun back if it is real stuborn. The clove hitch method works with the ramrod also but a slip could mean a broken rod when the weight of the rifle comes down on it if you're being "over zealous". Another hint is to pour a little liquid patch lube down the barrel after you screwed the rod in and let it sit for a minute or two to reach the ball. This lubes up the barrel real nice and once you get it started, it usually gets easier to pull. I know, it sounds like I've pulled alot of powderless balls, don't it?

Almost forgot, another reason for not using a wood rod is if you break the tip off the rod. Factory rods may only be pinned on. If that happens get some tylenol and wiskey...

 

[scrat]

GrimJaw - coincidence, I have a ball stuck in my Traditions Frontier just yesterday. I thought it was loaded properly, but when I fired, all I got was a load crack from the cap. The ball is now ¾ of the way out the barrel. I tried the air compressor trick, ball did not move at all. My rig tops out at 120 psi, still no go. That rifle is the only one I have, that I cannot remove the breach plug. Immediatly ordered that Co2 thing from Cabelas last night. Hope that does the trick. I wonder if I can ram the ball back down the barrel, and then work some 3f into the drum, and fire it out? Any ideas guys?

Different type of problem. I posted this a year or so ago. HAIRSPRAY. Go back to the range take some hair spray. If you can change the nozzle with one from a WD40 can with a nozzle that has a hose it works best. PUt the nozzle in the nipple and spray a few burst of hair spray. Then immediately cap it and fire. The hair spray contains propane. Its not explosive enough like black powder but will remove that ball. Some people would tell you to remove the nipple and pour some powder in the nipple like 4f. But then you would have to get enough powder in to re seat the ball. Otherwise the ball becomes and obstruction rather than a propellent. Hairspray works pretty good.

 

[Shultzhaus]

I have a heavy 3/8" brass range rod with one of those centering cones, that sits on the muzzle. That should be ok for the ball puller. I'm hoping, though, that the Co2 rig works, and I won't need the screw thing. If not, I guess it's on to the powder or hair spray trick. The ball is fairly loose, as I was able to tap on it, and it moved. It is not severilly jammed, just in there, and of course it needs to come out. sorry I think I posted twice in error

 

[scrat]

try the hair spray. most you will spend is a buck. with a very good chance of it coming out first shot. Cant beat it. I knew a fella that used to take a can with him to the range all the time. I watched him use it once too. Works. I keep forgetting to buy one myself.

 

[mykeal]

I was afraid someone was going to bring up the hair spray thing. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't. I'll never know. One thing: be sure you are alone on the range when you pull out the can.