HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

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

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

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

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

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! :D

Mike

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

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.

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

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

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

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

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

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.

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

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

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

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

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

my firend did that with his 44 pistol ok
radical

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

Then your friend is very lucky he didn't blow his hand/head off. The next time you are at your buddies house measure the barrel with a caliper along the entire barrel length. I'm betting you'll find a bulge in the barrel corresponding to the location of the stuck bullet. Pistols, because of their lower pressures and velocities are usually better able to survive a shot in an obstructed bore than a centerfire rifle that creates 2 to 4 times as much pressure and velocity. In fact, I would encourage you to have you friend take that pistol to a 'smith to have the barrel checked. It might be ok, but it might be a ticking time-bomb.

My grandpa brought a 6.5mm Mannlicher-Carcano rifle back from WWII, and he used to use it to shoot raccoons and foxes that would occationally try to get into the hen house. One night he spotted a raccoon under the henhouse, so he took that rifle out to kill it. Well when he was getting down to look under the henhouse he wound up sticking the muzzle into the ground and didn't realize it. Needless to say, when he took a shot at the raccoon he got more of a surprise than the raccoon did. That rifle had a 3" bulge in to barrel right before the muzzle. He was lucky too.

The moral of the story is to NEVER, NEVER EVER fire a gun with a barrel obstruction! At best you only damage the gun, at worst you could badly damage yourself (and others).

Mike

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

ROFLMAO@ radical ;)

Ron:D

RE: HOW ARE STUCK BULLET REMOVED FROM BARREL
 

I think you should get your friend to go to a safty class!!! or do they have a class for common sense? no offense but that wasnt to bright.