Keep your mind on your work!!

ZVP · May 23, 2014, 06:12 PM

I did a boo-Boo and forgot to charge 4 chambers on my Remmie! I had trouble seating one ball and had to trim a little off and was so frustrated, I forgot Powder! Drilling the balls out and cussin myself now!
Too overconfident that I am an old BP shooter and it comes automatic eh?
I KNOW it won't happen for a long time again!
Man do you feel stupid when you just get a pop instead of a bang!
I made an extraction tool from an old cleaning rod and a sheet metal screw. The balls aren't in there very tight. they pull out long as they don't turn during drilling. Use SLOW speed drilling!
Stupid, ZVP

DD4lifeusmc · May 23, 2014, 06:56 PM

be easier to pull the nipple and dribble in enough powder to fill it up and fire it.
Or use a wooded dowel or such and frive them out.
Sometimes air pressure works too.

Hawg · May 23, 2014, 08:14 PM

I always just used a wood screw and a pair of vice grips.

fdf · May 24, 2014, 11:40 AM

"be easier to pull the nipple and dribble in enough powder to fill it up and fire it.Or use a wooded dowel or such and frive them out.
Sometimes air pressure works too."

A shot of lube on top of the ball and pull out with a ball puller.

Remove the nipple, install a grease zert and push it out with a grease gun.n

fdf · May 24, 2014, 11:44 AM

"be easier to pull the nipple and dribble in enough powder to fill it up and fire it.Or use a wooded dowel or such and frive them out.
Sometimes air pressure works too."

A squirt of cleaning solution on top of the ball and pull out with a ball puller.

Remove the nipple, install a grease zert and push it out with a grease gun.

I use a revolver loading stand. Powder in each chamber, next is Cream Of Wheat, COW verifies that powder is in each chamber because I can see the COW.

OutlawJoseyWales · May 24, 2014, 01:36 PM

The couple of times this has happened I've been able to remove the nipple and tap the ball out very easily with a wooden dowel. I'm not sure if this is everyone's situation, but it was not a problem at all.

Now getting a "dry" ball out of my rifle? That was another thing entirely. I took off the nipple, put in a few grains and fired it out. I thought that it wouldn't come out very forcefully, so I shot it into a cardboard box. It went through the box and kept going, I was shocked. So, even a few grains is powerful enough to harm you. Be careful doing it this way.

fdf · May 24, 2014, 01:58 PM

Think I will put a couple of wood dowels in my pistol box as insurance.

Thanks.

**4V50 Gary** · May 24, 2014, 04:15 PM

Good reminder. In using BP, no multi-tasking. That's what I try to go by (but I have had dry balls

)

Hawg · May 24, 2014, 04:23 PM

Quote:

but I have had dry balls

They make a cream for that.

Doc Hoy · May 25, 2014, 08:03 AM

One of the several reasons I always shoot alone is to minimize distractions. I believe that two people on a range is more than twice as dangerous as one person one a range.

g.willikers · May 25, 2014, 08:52 AM

Bicycle shops sell a CO2 cartridge device for inflating tires.
They aren't expensive and can be used to expel bullets, too.
I bought one years ago, and haven't had a single stuck bullet since.
Magical.

Pahoo · May 25, 2014, 10:31 AM

Like you, I have been shooting M/L's for a long time and have certainly had my share of dry-balls. There is a correlation with the number of birthdays, one has had. Most were caused by distractions. In the early years, I too used a pinch of powder under the nipple. Then got fairly good at using a screw jag and my indestructible Range-Rod. Lately I pretty much use my CO2 discharger. ...

Quote:

I bought one years ago, and haven't had a single stuck bullet since.
Magical.

Oh yes, they are that good and dependable. I have even used them to expel stuck and broken ramrods. ....

Be Safe !!!

fdf · May 25, 2014, 11:08 AM

"One of the several reasons I always shoot alone is to minimize distractions. I believe that two people on a range is more than twice as dangerous as one person one a range."

I do not visit with anyone while shooting, I am there to shoot and only that.

Pistol shooting is mental and mental interruptions are not allowed.

I do not travel 300 miles or 1,000 miles to visit.

When sitting in my chair between matches is my quiet time. I need to do what I want.

Want to visit, at the end of the last relay of the day, there is plenty of time.
Might even be a cold beer.

Lt. Skrumpledonk Ret · May 27, 2014, 12:17 PM

A ball might be pulled with a cheap cork screw in a pinch. You can even re-use the ball.

noelf2 · May 27, 2014, 01:11 PM

fdf It's a zerk. Grease zerk.

Spray some remoil (3 in 1 will do in a pinch) in the chambers from the cylinder face side. Smack the cylinder face onto a soft pine board. Inertia is your friend.

ZVP · May 28, 2014, 08:37 PM

What a pain!
Had to literally drill 3 out with my B&D screwdriver/drils. Low speed and lots of control so's not to scar anything up!
Had powder in 3, I was suprised how compressed the powder ws! literally had to scrape it free and clean.
So embarassed how I got sidetracked by that high riding ball that took my mind off things!
I usually do everything by the numbers so there aren't mistakes ut they can happen so easy!
I'll be more carefull from now on!
ZVP

**4V50 Gary** · May 28, 2014, 10:02 PM

ZVP - you did better than a Confederate sharpshooter who tried to melt the ball out of his Kerr rifle barrel. That didn't turn out too well.

maillemaker · May 29, 2014, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Bicycle shops sell a CO2 cartridge device for inflating tires.
They aren't expensive and can be used to expel bullets, too.
I bought one years ago, and haven't had a single stuck bullet since.
Magical.

I tried using my portable CO2 discharger on a loaded revolver and it would not budge the ball. I suspect the interference fit ball plus the compressed powder and filler were too much for it.

When I slug my bores, I load a ball with no powder/filler. Then I remove the nipple and use a nail to tap the ball out.

With the loaded chamber, I removed the nipple then used a small pick to dig the powder and filler out of the chamber, then used the nail to tap the ball out.

Steve

MIOkie · May 29, 2014, 08:53 PM

ZVP, this is a good post..!

Your oversight could save many people some trouble in the future.

We all love our black powder guns. And, thankfully, more people are joining in on it. Our muzzle-loaders are basically re-loaders.

We shoot, then do our re-loading right then and there.

Consistency is the key to safety and accuracy.

Adhere to your own specific loading technique, each time and every time, and don't stray away.

And like Doc Hoy said, "...minimize distractions..."

Doesn't matter if you are loading a small caliber pistol or a 12 pound Napoleon.

There is a reason behind all that drill...

Stay focused and have fun.

May 23, 2014, 06:12 PM	#1
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	Keep your mind on your work!! I did a boo-Boo and forgot to charge 4 chambers on my Remmie! I had trouble seating one ball and had to trim a little off and was so frustrated, I forgot Powder! Drilling the balls out and cussin myself now! Too overconfident that I am an old BP shooter and it comes automatic eh? I KNOW it won't happen for a long time again! Man do you feel stupid when you just get a pop instead of a bang! I made an extraction tool from an old cleaning rod and a sheet metal screw. The balls aren't in there very tight. they pull out long as they don't turn during drilling. Use SLOW speed drilling! Stupid, ZVP

May 23, 2014, 06:56 PM	#2
DD4lifeusmc Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 351	powder be easier to pull the nipple and dribble in enough powder to fill it up and fire it. Or use a wooded dowel or such and frive them out. Sometimes air pressure works too.

May 24, 2014, 04:15 PM	#8
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,840	Good reminder. In using BP, no multi-tasking. That's what I try to go by (but I have had dry balls ) __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

May 25, 2014, 08:03 AM	#10
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Just an observation..... One of the several reasons I always shoot alone is to minimize distractions. I believe that two people on a range is more than twice as dangerous as one person one a range. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

May 25, 2014, 08:52 AM	#11
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Bicycle shops sell a CO2 cartridge device for inflating tires. They aren't expensive and can be used to expel bullets, too. I bought one years ago, and haven't had a single stuck bullet since. Magical. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

May 23, 2014, 08:14 PM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	I always just used a wood screw and a pair of vice grips.

May 24, 2014, 11:40 AM	#4
fdf Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2013 Posts: 117	"be easier to pull the nipple and dribble in enough powder to fill it up and fire it.Or use a wooded dowel or such and frive them out. Sometimes air pressure works too." A shot of lube on top of the ball and pull out with a ball puller. Remove the nipple, install a grease zert and push it out with a grease gun.n

May 24, 2014, 11:44 AM	#5
fdf Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2013 Posts: 117	"be easier to pull the nipple and dribble in enough powder to fill it up and fire it.Or use a wooded dowel or such and frive them out. Sometimes air pressure works too." A squirt of cleaning solution on top of the ball and pull out with a ball puller. Remove the nipple, install a grease zert and push it out with a grease gun. I use a revolver loading stand. Powder in each chamber, next is Cream Of Wheat, COW verifies that powder is in each chamber because I can see the COW.

May 24, 2014, 01:36 PM	#6
OutlawJoseyWales Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 237	The couple of times this has happened I've been able to remove the nipple and tap the ball out very easily with a wooden dowel. I'm not sure if this is everyone's situation, but it was not a problem at all. Now getting a "dry" ball out of my rifle? That was another thing entirely. I took off the nipple, put in a few grains and fired it out. I thought that it wouldn't come out very forcefully, so I shot it into a cardboard box. It went through the box and kept going, I was shocked. So, even a few grains is powerful enough to harm you. Be careful doing it this way.

May 24, 2014, 01:58 PM	#7
fdf Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2013 Posts: 117	Think I will put a couple of wood dowels in my pistol box as insurance. Thanks.

May 25, 2014, 11:08 AM	#13
fdf Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2013 Posts: 117	"One of the several reasons I always shoot alone is to minimize distractions. I believe that two people on a range is more than twice as dangerous as one person one a range." I do not visit with anyone while shooting, I am there to shoot and only that. Pistol shooting is mental and mental interruptions are not allowed. I do not travel 300 miles or 1,000 miles to visit. When sitting in my chair between matches is my quiet time. I need to do what I want. Want to visit, at the end of the last relay of the day, there is plenty of time. Might even be a cold beer.

May 27, 2014, 12:17 PM	#14
Lt. Skrumpledonk Ret Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2012 Location: Oh, Jesus. Posts: 226	A ball might be pulled with a cheap cork screw in a pinch. You can even re-use the ball.

May 27, 2014, 01:11 PM	#15
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	fdf It's a zerk. Grease zerk. Spray some remoil (3 in 1 will do in a pinch) in the chambers from the cylinder face side. Smack the cylinder face onto a soft pine board. Inertia is your friend. __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

May 28, 2014, 08:37 PM	#16
ZVP Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2009 Posts: 1,102	What a pain! Had to literally drill 3 out with my B&D screwdriver/drils. Low speed and lots of control so's not to scar anything up! Had powder in 3, I was suprised how compressed the powder ws! literally had to scrape it free and clean. So embarassed how I got sidetracked by that high riding ball that took my mind off things! I usually do everything by the numbers so there aren't mistakes ut they can happen so easy! I'll be more carefull from now on! ZVP

May 28, 2014, 10:02 PM	#17
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,840	ZVP - you did better than a Confederate sharpshooter who tried to melt the ball out of his Kerr rifle barrel. That didn't turn out too well. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

May 29, 2014, 08:53 PM	#19
MIOkie Member Join Date: April 13, 2014 Location: NE Oklahoma Posts: 39	Keeping mind... ZVP, this is a good post..! Your oversight could save many people some trouble in the future. We all love our black powder guns. And, thankfully, more people are joining in on it. Our muzzle-loaders are basically re-loaders. We shoot, then do our re-loading right then and there. Consistency is the key to safety and accuracy. Adhere to your own specific loading technique, each time and every time, and don't stray away. And like Doc Hoy said, "...minimize distractions..." Doesn't matter if you are loading a small caliber pistol or a 12 pound Napoleon. There is a reason behind all that drill... Stay focused and have fun.