Stuck Ramrod

David Francis · 02-03-2009, 04:49 PM

Need help with a problem caused by a really dumb move on my part :-(
I inherited a very nice Springfield Model 1861 and have had it mounted above my fireplace for several years. I decided that it needed a good cleaning but didn't have a .58 caliber cleaning brush or swab for the inside of the barrel. I wrapped a small oil covered cotton cloth over the rammer end of the rod and it slid down the barrel very easily. When I tried to withdraw it, however, the loose cloth behind the rammer head apparently bunched up behind the head and it is firmly jammed. I have tried pulling the rod out with pliers (carefully protecting the rod) but it doesn't budge. There is about 1 1/2 inch of the rammer outside the barrel with about
1/2" of that threaded, but I can't find a nut that goes on the threads that would give me more purchase on the rod. (Anyone know what the size of that thread is?)

I'm probably not the first one to do this but I knew immediately that it was NOT a smart thing! Would I be better off trying some kind of a rammer extractor (if so, what kind?) or trying to slide a rod down the barrel parallel to the rammer with some kind of small auger which might rip the cloth out piece by piece? Or is there some other elegant solution out there? I would appreciate any thoughts.

HossFly · 02-03-2009, 06:15 PM

Aside from blowin it out (with air) the thread size shud be either 10-32 or 8-32 - Sorry thats all i got

KC IN TC · 02-04-2009, 12:13 AM

Prayer.....VooDoo woman, chicken bones, and snakeblood........Sacrificial calf........call Oprah........Lube bbl well, vise the gun (CAREFULLY), fit nut to threaded end apply constant steady tension on rod......All of the above MAY work! Sorry.

Dave Holl · 02-04-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Francis

Need help with a problem caused by a really dumb move on my part :-(
I inherited a very nice Springfield Model 1861 and have had it mounted above my fireplace for several years. I decided that it needed a good cleaning but didn't have a .58 caliber cleaning brush or swab for the inside of the barrel. I wrapped a small oil covered cotton cloth over the rammer end of the rod and it slid down the barrel very easily. When I tried to withdraw it, however, the loose cloth behind the rammer head apparently bunched up behind the head and it is firmly jammed. I have tried pulling the rod out with pliers (carefully protecting the rod) but it doesn't budge. There is about 1 1/2 inch of the rammer outside the barrel with about
1/2" of that threaded, but I can't find a nut that goes on the threads that would give me more purchase on the rod. (Anyone know what the size of that thread is?)

I'm probably not the first one to do this but I knew immediately that it was NOT a smart thing! Would I be better off trying some kind of a rammer extractor (if so, what kind?) or trying to slide a rod down the barrel parallel to the rammer with some kind of small auger which might rip the cloth out piece by piece? Or is there some other elegant solution out there? I would appreciate any thoughts.

From your description, it sounds like the patch is stuck near the breech, correct? IF you can gain a clear access to the breech end, would it be possible to drive a 1/2 inch wooden dowel against the stuck rod end? As I'm thinking about it, if there is a breech plug, it's probably unremovable and my idea won't work. If you can find the right size nut, thread it on the rod, clamp Vise-grips on it and tap on the grips.

Let us know your progress.

Dave Holl

madcratebuilder · 02-04-2009, 09:02 AM

HossFly hit it right on the head. Compressed air. You must know someone with a compressor, and airgun with a rubber tip. Remove the nipple, give it a shot of air at 125psi. Careful were the rod well go.

rebel727 · 02-05-2009, 02:07 AM

If you have access to a vice wrap the ramrod with leather and clamp it down. You can then pull the rifle off the rod. Or you can remove the nipple and put in a few grains of powder and shoot it out but it will be an arrow so be careful.

Purdy · 02-05-2009, 04:26 PM

Have you tried just poping a cap on it? Be careful where its pointed

andrew cochran · 02-05-2009, 05:19 PM

Dump some good gun oil or preferable solvent down there and pull! If that dosn't work, I guess let it dry and remove the nipple. Sprinkle some powder in there and put the nipple back on. Pop a cap and it should come out!

HossFly · 02-05-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purdy

Have you tried just poping a cap on it? Be careful where its pointed

Popin a cap is gonna do zip

Boken · 02-06-2009, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HossFly

Popin a cap is gonna do zip

-------------------------------------

+1 ,

LOL !!!!

This aint no Parlor Gun !!! Ha ha ha .

Boken

< ME

andrew cochran · 02-10-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HossFly

Popin a cap is gonna do zip

You better believe it ain't! But if you sprinkle some powder in it'll work!

petemi · 02-26-2009, 09:27 AM

I've had it happen and all I did was unscrew the rod from the jag, unscrew the nipple, dump some powder in there, put the nipple back, cap it and shoot it. I comes out like a bullet. One time, I never did find the jag.

Pete

OldTimer · 03-25-2009, 07:43 AM

David,
If you don't want to try removing the breech plug, then your choices are (in no order of importance or recommendation):
1) gunsmith
2) pull the cone (nipple) and trickle a few grains of powder into the chamber, replace the cone and shoot it out.
3) Cabela's CO2 Load Discharger
Been there, done that and I prefer door # 3.
YMMV,

Don357 · 04-12-2009, 07:17 PM

+1 on what "Old Timer" said. 1. A gunsmith can be expensive. 2. A cap alone won't build enough pressure to do anything, and adding powder could be dangerous. 3. The Co2 or compressed air is the safest way to go.

andrew cochran · 04-27-2009, 01:46 PM

Adding powder isn't dangerous at all. Just be carefull where you discharge the thing.

OldTimer · 06-12-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don357

+1 on what "Old Timer" said. 1. A gunsmith can be expensive. 2. A cap alone won't build enough pressure to do anything, and adding powder could be dangerous. 3. The Co2 or compressed air is the safest way to go.

Hey Now, Don!

LOL, old post and I just saw your reply but...yepper, I did trickle enough powder into the chamber to "expel" the offending rag-wrapped bore brush that fell apart way down inside...

Agreed, C02 is the safest bet. YMMV,

02-03-2009, 04:49 PM	#1
David Francis Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1	Stuck Ramrod Need help with a problem caused by a really dumb move on my part :-( I inherited a very nice Springfield Model 1861 and have had it mounted above my fireplace for several years. I decided that it needed a good cleaning but didn't have a .58 caliber cleaning brush or swab for the inside of the barrel. I wrapped a small oil covered cotton cloth over the rammer end of the rod and it slid down the barrel very easily. When I tried to withdraw it, however, the loose cloth behind the rammer head apparently bunched up behind the head and it is firmly jammed. I have tried pulling the rod out with pliers (carefully protecting the rod) but it doesn't budge. There is about 1 1/2 inch of the rammer outside the barrel with about 1/2" of that threaded, but I can't find a nut that goes on the threads that would give me more purchase on the rod. (Anyone know what the size of that thread is?) I'm probably not the first one to do this but I knew immediately that it was NOT a smart thing! Would I be better off trying some kind of a rammer extractor (if so, what kind?) or trying to slide a rod down the barrel parallel to the rammer with some kind of small auger which might rip the cloth out piece by piece? Or is there some other elegant solution out there? I would appreciate any thoughts.

02-04-2009, 09:02 AM	#5
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 2,749	HossFly hit it right on the head. Compressed air. You must know someone with a compressor, and airgun with a rubber tip. Remove the nipple, give it a shot of air at 125psi. Careful were the rod well go. __________________ Married men live longer than single men do, but married men are a lot more willing to die.

02-05-2009, 02:07 AM	#6
rebel727 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Heidelberg, Mississippi Posts: 2,211	If you have access to a vice wrap the ramrod with leather and clamp it down. You can then pull the rifle off the rod. Or you can remove the nipple and put in a few grains of powder and shoot it out but it will be an arrow so be careful. __________________ North-1 South-0 HALFTIME!

02-05-2009, 05:19 PM	#8
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,743	Dump some good gun oil or preferable solvent down there and pull! If that dosn't work, I guess let it dry and remove the nipple. Sprinkle some powder in there and put the nipple back on. Pop a cap and it should come out! __________________ I'm moving to Alaska!

03-25-2009, 07:43 AM	#13
OldTimer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 160	David, If you don't want to try removing the breech plug, then your choices are (in no order of importance or recommendation): 1) gunsmith 2) pull the cone (nipple) and trickle a few grains of powder into the chamber, replace the cone and shoot it out. 3) Cabela's CO2 Load Discharger Been there, done that and I prefer door # 3. YMMV, __________________ I support PETA: People Eating Tasty Animals George...

02-03-2009, 06:15 PM	#2
HossFly Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Texas Posts: 59	Aside from blowin it out (with air) the thread size shud be either 10-32 or 8-32 - Sorry thats all i got

02-04-2009, 12:13 AM	#3
KC IN TC Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern MI Posts: 582	Prayer.....VooDoo woman, chicken bones, and snakeblood........Sacrificial calf........call Oprah........Lube bbl well, vise the gun (CAREFULLY), fit nut to threaded end apply constant steady tension on rod......All of the above MAY work! Sorry.

02-05-2009, 04:26 PM	#7
Purdy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 598	Have you tried just poping a cap on it? Be careful where its pointed

02-26-2009, 09:27 AM	#12
petemi Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Engadine, Upper Peninsula, MI Posts: 172	I've had it happen and all I did was unscrew the rod from the jag, unscrew the nipple, dump some powder in there, put the nipple back, cap it and shoot it. I comes out like a bullet. One time, I never did find the jag. Pete

04-12-2009, 07:17 PM	#14
Don357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Semmes Alabama Posts: 554 Blog Entries: 1	+1 on what "Old Timer" said. 1. A gunsmith can be expensive. 2. A cap alone won't build enough pressure to do anything, and adding powder could be dangerous. 3. The Co2 or compressed air is the safest way to go. __________________ NRA member #151239009 NAHC Life member #40649874 G&G CETME Club Minister

04-27-2009, 01:46 PM	#15
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 2,743	Adding powder isn't dangerous at all. Just be carefull where you discharge the thing. __________________ I'm moving to Alaska!