Stuck bullet removal question

brmfan · November 10, 2012, 12:42 PM

Okay... it finally happened.

Was testing subsonics (180 flat base sp, new Lapua brass, 10.0 Trialboss, CCI 200 primers) for stability. First 3 were fine- stable at 75 yards and very accurate- no problems. also, barrel was clean but not oiled.

Put the suppressor on for the 4th shot and POOT... nothing! Checked and the bullet is stuck about 4" in front of the chamber. Rifle is a Remington 5R cut down to 21.75"

I plan on soaking it in Kroil overnight and using a wooden dowel to tap it out but since it is a soft point is it better to tap it towards the chamber (shortest distance) or out the muzzle???

brmfan · November 10, 2012, 04:03 PM

Soaked the bore from the chamber end in Du Pont teflon penetrant for 15 minutes. Took a 1/4" steel dowel, wrapped duct tape at one end and 6" below that until the wrapped sections mic'd .290"

Inserted from muzzle, and after about a dozen hard whacks the bullet came out. After cleaning a visual inspection from both ends looks good. Best I can manage without a bore scope.

natman · November 10, 2012, 04:06 PM

Good approach, but if it happens again use a BRASS rod, not steel. Brass won't risk scratching the bore.

brmfan · November 10, 2012, 04:15 PM

Natman: I agree 100% but I live in a rural area and that's all Lowes had. I did chamfer the edge of the dowel on my bench sander however. Hopefully it's all good!

**4V50 Gary** · November 11, 2012, 03:25 PM

Use a brass muzzle guard if you must do it again with a steel rod.

Glad it's out.

Jim Watson · November 11, 2012, 04:19 PM

Have you figured out the cause for the stuck bullet?

Short load?
Trail Boss not as wonderful for rifle loads as claimed?
Some weird interaction with the suppressor?

Exibar · November 12, 2012, 03:01 AM

aluminum cleaning rods work well for that too....

scary when it happens, especially if you're at the range!

Mike B

guncrank · November 14, 2012, 01:31 PM

aluminum cleaning rods work well for that too....

scary when it happens, especially if you're at the range!

I would rather use a solid rod brass prefered , steel second to remove a stuck bullet.

Last customer , I had to remove bullet and the alunimum rod used first time.

**Brian Pfleuger** · November 14, 2012, 03:33 PM

I assume we're talking .308Win here?

If so, that load is likely too low. QuickLoad thinks it only about 68% fill on default capacity, which is usually low, so the actual % would be lower yet.

QuickLoad thinks that load generates 19kpsi and a muzzle velocity of just 841fps. The bullet is actually slowing down past about 9" in the barrel.

13.0gr should get you around 1,100fps, 12.0 would be around 1,000.

November 10, 2012, 12:42 PM	#1
brmfan Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2008 Posts: 521	Stuck bullet removal question Okay... it finally happened. Was testing subsonics (180 flat base sp, new Lapua brass, 10.0 Trialboss, CCI 200 primers) for stability. First 3 were fine- stable at 75 yards and very accurate- no problems. also, barrel was clean but not oiled. Put the suppressor on for the 4th shot and POOT... nothing! Checked and the bullet is stuck about 4" in front of the chamber. Rifle is a Remington 5R cut down to 21.75" I plan on soaking it in Kroil overnight and using a wooden dowel to tap it out but since it is a soft point is it better to tap it towards the chamber (shortest distance) or out the muzzle???

November 10, 2012, 04:03 PM	#2
brmfan Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2008 Posts: 521	Got it! Soaked the bore from the chamber end in Du Pont teflon penetrant for 15 minutes. Took a 1/4" steel dowel, wrapped duct tape at one end and 6" below that until the wrapped sections mic'd .290" Inserted from muzzle, and after about a dozen hard whacks the bullet came out. After cleaning a visual inspection from both ends looks good. Best I can manage without a bore scope.

November 11, 2012, 03:25 PM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 15,422	Use a brass muzzle guard if you must do it again with a steel rod. Glad it's out. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

November 14, 2012, 01:31 PM	#8
guncrank Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2006 Location: Fern Creek ,KY and Metro Louisville at large Posts: 235	aluminum cleaning rods work well for that too.... scary when it happens, especially if you're at the range! I would rather use a solid rod brass prefered , steel second to remove a stuck bullet. Last customer , I had to remove bullet and the alunimum rod used first time. __________________ CW Shooters Supply Inc 1-866-217-5990 Machine Shop and Finishing Services to the trade and public Last edited by guncrank; November 14, 2012 at 02:27 PM. Reason: Spelling

November 14, 2012, 03:33 PM	#9
Brian Pfleuger Staff Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Central, Southern NY, USA Posts: 14,498	I assume we're talking .308Win here? If so, that load is likely too low. QuickLoad thinks it only about 68% fill on default capacity, which is usually low, so the actual % would be lower yet. QuickLoad thinks that load generates 19kpsi and a muzzle velocity of just 841fps. The bullet is actually slowing down past about 9" in the barrel. 13.0gr should get you around 1,100fps, 12.0 would be around 1,000. __________________ Still happily answering to the call-sign Peetza. --- You do not HAVE a soul. You ARE a soul. You HAVE a body. -C.S. Lewis He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose. -Jim Eliott, paraphrasing Philip Henry.

November 10, 2012, 04:06 PM	#3
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2008 Posts: 1,051	Good approach, but if it happens again use a BRASS rod, not steel. Brass won't risk scratching the bore.

November 10, 2012, 04:15 PM	#4
brmfan Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2008 Posts: 521	Natman: I agree 100% but I live in a rural area and that's all Lowes had. I did chamfer the edge of the dowel on my bench sander however. Hopefully it's all good!

November 11, 2012, 04:19 PM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 9,673	Have you figured out the cause for the stuck bullet? Short load? Trail Boss not as wonderful for rifle loads as claimed? Some weird interaction with the suppressor?

November 12, 2012, 03:01 AM	#7
Exibar Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Posts: 26	aluminum cleaning rods work well for that too.... scary when it happens, especially if you're at the range! Mike B