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