Failed Ramrod Test

[Murph58]

The never ending saga about the two rifle muzzleloaders I purchased on auction. Checking the barrel with a ramrod inside measurement comes up about an inch and a half short of the barrel length measurement using the ramrod. Also no metallic sound and feeling of something down the barrels. Both rifles check the same. A bit apprehensive about sticking a ball puller in. Whatever is down here has been there for a long time. Any good suggestions other then a trip to a gunsmith?

 

[Don Dixon]

Clean the barrels thoroughly above the obstruction and leave them oily. Then try one of the C02 gas dischargers designed to clear muzzeloading firearms. Make sure the barrel isn't pointed at anything that can be damaged, because the ball can come out with significant force. If that doesn't work try a ball puller. It isn't necessarily a load of powder and shot. I had a Muster 1854 System Lorenz rifle musket which had been "safed" by driving a section of wooden dowel down to the breech.

 

[thomas aagaard]

I and another member of our Danish army 1864 reenactment group pulled out two firecrackers from a newly acquired original musket last summer... so there is plenty of problematic and strange things that can be found in old muzzleloaders.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

Clean the barrels thoroughly above the obstruction and leave them oily. Then try one of the C02 gas dischargers designed to clear muzzeloading firearms. Make sure the barrel isn't pointed at anything that can be damaged, because the ball can come out with significant force. If that doesn't work try a ball puller. It isn't necessarily a load of powder and shot. I had a Muster 1854 System Lorenz rifle musket which had been "safed" by driving a section of wooden dowel down to the breech.

I second trying this first. I was able to rescue a stuck round with some canned air from Office Depot.

 

[Murph58]

Only problem is I have no way to get to the breach end. Nipples are frozen in also.

 

[Murph58]

Well, I'll clean the barrels best I can then try a puller. I ran a cleaning patch down one of the barrels and got up a lot of brown rust gunk. Not going to be an easy job. If puller comes up with nothing I'll just let a sleeping dog lie. I won't get to this for a couple of days but will let you know what happens. I'm actually going to be in Gettysburg for one night.

 

[Don Dixon]

Only problem is I have no way to get to the breach end. Nipples are frozen in also.

The frozen nipple is a problem for later. All you need to use the C02 gas discharger is a clear channel from the face of the nipple into the powder chamber in the breech. The gas discharger fits over the top of the nipple, not into or over the nipple seat with the nipple removed.

 

[Pollaco]

Can the nipples be removed? If so a grease zirk/zurk? and a grease gun will "push" out any obstruction. Messy but effective.

 

[Murph58]

Not sure if I have a clear channel yet from the nipple into the powder channel on one rifles and the other has damage where the nipple is located that needs to be cleaned out. I'm having a hard time right now finding time with the guns. While I was in Gettysburg yesterday I picked up what looks like a great book for identifying various Enfields. The title is "The Confederate Enfield" by Capt. Steven W. Knoll, USN (ret.). It contains many color photos of various markings.

 

[Kyle Kalasnik]

Follow the advice given to you.

Should you need a gunsmith, Fort Chambers in Chamberburg is close to you.

There are a blackpowder shop. I have purchased arms and supplies off them a few of times, and their customer service is great. I'd highly recommend them.

Fort Chambers, muzzle loading, muzzle, loaders, guns, gunshop, gunshops, black, powder, muzzle, loading, gunsmiths, gunsmith, Ox Yoke Originals, Speer Balls, Taylors & Co Mountain State Mfg, Birchwood Casey, RMC,Goex Black Powder, Ox Yoke Originals,

Fort Chambers, muzzle loading, muzzle, loaders, guns, gunshop, gunshops, black, powder, muzzle, loading, gunsmiths, gunsmith, Ox Yoke Originals, Speer Balls, Taylors & Co Mountain State Mfg, Birchwood Casey, RMC,Goex Black Powder, Ox Yoke Originals, Speer Balls, Taylors & Co Mountain State Mfg...

fortchambers.com

Don't let the website discourage you, although it isn't the most informative or up to date they are a pleasure to deal with and very helpful.

Good luck. And let us know what happened.

 

[Murph58]

So far have managed to clean both barrels and do some brass brushing and cleaning up. Getting barrels clean was a job. I'll hold it there for a while until I decided whether or not to do anything more. Thanks again for all the comments and help. PS: Fort Chambers is where I do my shopping

 

[Wawyasto]

Only problem is I have no way to get to the breach end. Nipples are frozen in also.

Kroil. Mil-spec LSA will work as well but not as well as Kroil.

A couple drops around the nipple, a drop or 2 into the hole, a couple tablespoons down the bore. Let sit upright for a week, adding another drop or 2 in/around the nipple every day. That should give the Kroil enough time to creep into the crud around the bullet as well as the threads. A good, thick metal range rod with a T handle and a bench vice should make quick work of pulling any bullet in there after that.