ORIGINAL: DocHunter
I have a Confederate musket from the War Between the States that I was cleaning yesterday, and got the metal slotted ramrod with cotton cleaning patches stuck deep in the barrel with only about 6 inches of the very small (about 1/4 inch diameter) ramrod protruding. I cannot budge it. Any ideas about how to free this ramrod would be appreciated. Is there anything that could dissolve the cotton that could be poured down the barrel without damaging the barrel?
I had this happen once when I was cleaning my Poorboy, took forever to get it out. I put a rag on the end of the ramrod and then put some vicegrips on it. Just be sure to turn it to the right when trying to get it out or you'll unscrew the jag. Pour some Mobile 1 or any other oil down the barrel first then let it soak in for awhile then try it, it should come out. A tip....next time when you go to clean it, first run some hot soappy water through the barrel to get some of the fouling out, then run some patches through it. Dont go all the way to the breech on the first try, work your way down the barrel a little at a time, and keep changing patches. That's why I like remeovable breechplugs! Good Luck!