HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL

[D. BETTENCOURT]

I have a 223 savage 12bvss and I shot a handloaded cartrige that I did not have powder in. Yes I know Dum. Dum . and dummer. But any way how do gun smiths remove a bullet that is stuck in the barrel. Thanks for any input

[aunsaber]

The gunsmiths I know use a wooden dowel just small enough to fit the bore and drive the bullet back out the chamber end of the barrel since most squibb's are closer to the chamber.
If a wooden dowel won't do it try a brass rod just smaller than the bore. It is softer than the barrel and should not hurt the rifling.
good luck

[driftrider]

I'd probably just go to Lowe's and get a 3/16" hardwood dowel, stick it down the barrel and pound the bullet out. The wood dowel won't harm your barrel no matter how hard you beat on it, and the bullet won't either. Just be careful of the crown of the muzzle. The wood shouldn't harm it either, but one can never be too careful. If possible, go at it from the chamber end, with a bore guide if you have one. But if the bullet is stuck in the first few inches of barrel, you might be better off going form the muzzle. A little penetrating oil might make it a little easier too, just make sure you clean the bore well before you shoot it again.

Goldensaber beat me to the draw! What he said!

Mike

[Charley]

If you are going to do this at home, be SURE to use a GOOD penetrating oil (I like Kroil) behind the bullet first. Don't try to drive it out dry. A hardwood dowel might not be up to the forces involved. I would use a brass rod first. You could use a cold rolled steel rod, but you would need to chamfer the end that will drive the bullet. Radius the sharp edge, and polish it well. This will minimize the chances of scratching or scoring the bore.

[DM]

I've had more than one guy bring a rifle into my shop because he tried to drive a bullet out with a wood dowel!! Many times if the bullet is stuck fast, the dowel splits when it hits the bullet, and then "everything" is stuck in the bbl. Many times the owner will hit the dowel even harder, and break it off flush with the muzzle too. :>(

Use harden steel rod, just under bore diameter, and BE CAREFULL!!

Drulling Man

[driftrider]

Isn't using a rod that is as hard or harder to apply that kind of force going to cause damage to the lands?

I shiver at the thought of what that bore would look like through a borescope after ramming a bullet out with a hardened steel rod. Maybe an underbore mild steel rod with a brass bore diameter tip, but not just the rod by itself.

Mike

[bigbulls]

Spend the money and get a coated steel cleaning rod and cut off the handle. I would drill a small countersunk hole on one end so that the bullets tip would fit inside this hole and stay centered in the barrel when you start hammering the bullet out. Much like a muzzle loader bullet seating tool.

And lube up the bore above and below the bullet.


Also listen to DM you're only going to break off a wooden dowel especially one that will fit in a .224" bore.

[radical]

cant you just shoot another bullet to get it out?
radical

[driftrider]

cant you just shoot another bullet to get it out?

Yeah, I suppose you could if you really wanted to put yourself in the running for the 2004 Darwin Award. I really hope you are kidding.

Mike

[radical]

my firend did that with his 44 pistol ok
radical