Bullet stuck in the barrel. Help!

[Unspoken]

My Russian SKS has a bullet lodged inside the barrel.
It's located 2.5 inches ahead of the breach.
How do I safely get it out?

[OEF-Vet]

Start by trying to pound it out with a wooden dowell rod that just fits loosely in the barrel if that doesn't work let us know.

Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2

[Unspoken]

Should i be trying to push it out toward the muzzle or inward to the receiver?

[Brian Pfleuger]

Do NOT use a wooden dowel. If you think a jammed bullet is bad, wait until you have a broken piece of a wooden rod jammed between it and the barrel.

Use a brass rod and go FROM the muzzle back toward the chamber.

[Willie Lowman]

Dang, that's a good point there. I used a wooden dowel both times I had a squib. I won't do that again.

[Unspoken]

Problem solved.
1/4" steel rod inserted & tapped with a hammer from the muzzle end. Projectile slid right out.
As always, I'm grateful for every time I shoot or work on guns and end up with no extra holes in my body.
I appreciate the quick replies, too. Thanks guys.

[Brian Pfleuger]

Glad it worked out for you.

Ideally, you'd want a brass rod because brass is softer than barrel steel and won't scratch the barrel. Sometimes you've just got to use what's available though.

In regards to wood dowels, seems like lots of guys have used them successfully but there's also horror stories out there. Better safe than sorry. If I had to, I'd TRY wood but I sure wouldn't hit it very hard and if it didn't work right away I'd wait for the brass.

[OEF-Vet]

That's a good point Brian I guess if one was to pound on a wooden dowel really hard that could be a problem.

Unspoken a steel rod is not a good idea. As Brian pointed out wood could be problematic if hit too hard steel can cause serious damage to your rifling.
In my earlier post I said let us know if wood didn't work, I was then going to suggest brass though its a little pricey and not always easy to find in the right diameter for your bore. I only ever had to do this once and a 99 cent wooden dowel worked for me. Guess I got lucky next time I will go right to brass.
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2

[DFrame]

I always trickle a bit of oil from both ends before I whack the rod. A little lube seems to help.

[dean1818]

Was it factory ammo?

[Unspoken]

It was either Tula or WPA, I have them mixed together in my ammo can. Definitely factory stuff though. How the heck does that happen?

I had nothing in the way of a dowel in my house...only thing available in Lowe's was steel. I guess I need to go inspect the barrel more closely for damage.

[pgdion]

I've had it happen with the Russian ammo. Wrecked a barrel on my new Bersa. I don't buy it any more. Just not worth it. Saved 3 bucks on ammo, 40 bucks for a new barrel.