TheGoatMumbler Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 When chronoing some loads in my 4" S&W 686 I had a squib. No big deal I thought so I grab a wooden 5/16" dowel and give it a few wacks. Since it was only about 1/4" from the forcing cone I figured it'd be easy. It moved about another 1/8" and stopped and that was about the time the dowel broke in the barrel and it ain't moving! I can't get the wood out and I can't move the squib. I tried pushing both through with an aluminum rod but I only succeeded in wedging the wood in tighter. I ordered a brass squib rod this morning for future use but I'm in trouble on this one. Any advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Shot Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 The secret is a big hammer and heavy strikes. Lots of light taps will get it wedged in there tighter. You will want some lube as well...I'd get some oil in there on the forcing cone side. I don't have much for you on the dowel though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Sahlberg Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Use a long 1/4" drill bit centered to drill all the way. This will relieve the bullet from the barrel when struck. Never use wood....only a brass rod for a squib or you will a mess like this again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 I'd try freezing the barrel for several hours. Metal constricts as it cools. Maybe it will constrict the barrel enough to also constrict the bullet, and when it warms back up, maybe the barrel will expand and the bullet (being lead), will not expand back with the barrel. As for the wood, if there is no plastic on the barrel, I'd try cooking it to about 250 degrees for an hour. Maybe that will take the humidity out of the wood and let it shrink some. Disclaimer, I've never done either of these, these statements are just based on the way metal and wood react to heat and cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyScuba Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 In regards to above, you could get some dry ice to bring the temp way down. Not from any expericence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 What type of bullet was it? Lead, coated lead, FMJ, JHP? If lead or FMJ, you might try a Bernzomatic mini butane torch to try and melt the lead out from the bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzShooter Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Put some oil down your muzzle and let it sit for a few hours then pound out the bullet. It should work. I've done it before. It shouldn't matter if it's lead or a jacketed bullet. Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatJones Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 The dowel is your real problem. Once it's out, the bullet is easy. Don't do anything rash, or you'll be buying a barrel. Drill bits are likely to wander and touch the rifling. I don't have any good ideas off the top of my head. I've replaced customers rifle barrels because of a stuck squib rod. Think it thru before you stick anything else in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoatMumbler Posted March 6, 2020 Author Share Posted March 6, 2020 Yeah. I've tried all that moving up the hammer ladder, penetrating oil on the FC side, etc. It bent my aluminum rod as well. That 147g coated RN is in there pretty good and with a revolver it's hard to get it firmly butted up against something to give it a massive wack. The gunsmith has a jig for this and he said he's seen this a few times so I shouldn't feel like a moron. But if a wooden dowel is used use a hardwood not the soft crap from Lowe's. Brass is best and non marring. He may have to burn the wood out from the muzzle end and then it'll be no prob. I also suggested I was going to use the propane torch at the forcing cone and melt it out. He said that works as well but it's not a bad idea to lap the barrel afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alecmc Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 Never had a problem using a brass rod, you can whack on it pretty hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignatz Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 There's a hammer for every adjustment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoots100 Posted March 7, 2020 Share Posted March 7, 2020 In the flintlock muzzleloader world, if a ball gets stuck in the barrel, there's a screw tip that fits on the ram rod that you use to screw into the lead projectile to pull it out. I would try that method to remove the dowel and then ram the projo out with a brass rod. I would never use a drill in a barrel unless you have another to replace it. SJC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lower40 Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 I know this is an old post..but I always kept a piece of aluminum rod in my shooting bag. It was actually an old shotgun cleaning rod that was used a couple of times. The rod diameter was close to bore diameter so any potential bore damage was eliminated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ysrracer Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 OP, are you sure it's only one bullet stuck in there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ysrracer Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 On 3/6/2020 at 6:39 PM, shoots100 said: I would never use a drill in a barrel unless you have another to replace it. SJC Drill bits are pretty cheap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glockster1 Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) Just use an aluminum rod with a small hammer. You can buy one at ®Home Depot. Normally we use brass ones, but the aluminum ones are easier to get fast. Edited March 22, 2020 by Glockster1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glockster1 Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 OMG! DO NOT use a drill bit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ysrracer Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 I had a squib in my 627. We beat on it at the range, with a wood dowel, aluminum rod, iron bolt, it wouldn't move. I gave it to my gunsmith, he said it popped right out after he oiled the bore, and put it in a vise. your millage may vary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lower40 Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 I shot PPC with a bunch of cops and squib loads were not uncommon:-)..."never" had a problem driving them out with my old trusty aluminum rod. You need to hit the rod with some FPS:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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