Removing a copper clad pointed bullet from a muzzleloader

[Rattus58]

Question... How would you remove a copper clad muzzleloader bullet in a sabot if you had to pull the bullet?

Thank you!

Much Aloha,

Tom

[country gent]

You might try one of the CO2 gizmos for this first. If not one of the screw type pullers should get it, use one that's caliber specific with the alighnment disc above the screw. Maybe make up a rod special for it solid brass or steel 8"-10" longer than the ram rod with a tee handle 4"-6" long this will make turning easier and give a good grip for pulling. If steel is used a piece of heat shrink insulation can be used for a protective cushion.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

I'm guessing the problem is that a worm screw on a cleaning-rod would make the bullet turn in the sabot, and not screw itself in tightly enough to pull. Do you want to puil it because you didn't put any powder in? You could probably trickle in enough through the nipple threads to shift it. There are also devices for squirting air, CO2 or grease into the nipple threads, but any of these are likely to involve cost and/or mess.

One possibility would be to get a piece of K&S thin-walled brass tubing, from a model-making shop or eBay. Cut saw teeth on a short piece of it to make a light-duty holesaw, epoxy it to a wooden dowel, and you can cut through the plastic sabot. You even get a good bullet back intact.

[centershot]

What type of rifle is it stuck in?

[Rattus58]

You might try one of the CO2 gizmos for this first. If not one of the screw type pullers should get it, use one that's caliber specific with the alighnment disc above the screw. Maybe make up a rod special for it solid brass or steel 8"-10" longer than the ram rod with a tee handle 4"-6" long this will make turning easier and give a good grip for pulling. If steel is used a piece of heat shrink insulation can be used for a protective cushion.

This was on an encore action that had locked up with a LEAD bullet stuck in the barrel... which we were able to remove with a worm/jag... However, the question posed to me last night during the muzzleloading section of our hunter ed class, was... but what if was one copper bullet with a point... and for that, since I typically ONLY use lead, didn't have an answer for... the gun was sent back to Thompson, but it very well might have been unable to send with a primer and a load of powder... and thereby the question... :D

[Rattus58]

What type of rifle is it stuck in?

An Encore from Thompson Center... :D

[Rattus58]

I'm guessing the problem is that a worm screw on a cleaning-rod would make the bullet turn in the sabot, and not screw itself in tightly enough to pull. Do you want to puil it because you didn't put any powder in? You could probably trickle in enough through the nipple threads to shift it. There are also devices for squirting air, CO2 or grease into the nipple threads, but any of these are likely to involve cost and/or mess.

One possibility would be to get a piece of K&S thin-walled brass tubing, from a model-making shop or eBay. Cut saw teeth on a short piece of it to make a light-duty holesaw, epoxy it to a wooden dowel, and you can cut through the plastic sabot. You even get a good bullet back intact.

This was an inline and the breech was locked and unable to be opened as the latch or something had failed.... therefore... :D

So I'm curious... if that happened with a copper jacketed sabot... how would we attempt to grasp ahold of the bullet without damaging the bore... :D

[rick benjamin]

If a Thompson Center, remove the breech plug
206112
With a breech plug removal wrench
206113

[rick benjamin]

If a Thompson Center, remove the breech plug
206112
With a breech plug removal wrench
206113

[NoAngel]

Is there powder behind the bullet? If so, that's easy! :redneck:

[rick benjamin]

Ah, an inline Encore...
Instructions here (https://www.bevfitchett.us/thompson-center-encore-muzzleloader/encore-prohunter-appendix.html)
Or send it to the factory

[skeet1]

With an air compressor and directing a stream of air into the hole where the nipple is. Make sure you point in a safe direction!!!!! Don't ask me how I know.

Ken

[curator]

A T/C Encore is an inline muzzle loader. It has an easily removable breech plug assuming that it has not rusted in from neglect. Once the plug is removed, pour out the powder and push the bullet out either end. Many times the breech plugs on these inlines are not properly cleaned and then treated with anti-seize compound or thick grease before being reinstalled. In which case they will resist feeble attempts to unscrew them. A good bench vise and proper wrench with a possible extension may be required. Additionally, a day or two soaking in Kroil or any good penetrating oil will help reduce the amount of effort required to get the plug to turn.

[country gent]

If it is locked up then you cant get to the nipple or breech plug then it has to be removed from the front end. Ballistics in Scotland is correct in that a tube can be made into a face cutter to remove. If you can find tube that fits the bore and id close to bullet dia all that needs to be cut is the nylon sabot. Otherwise the piloted puller may work as is or a long pilot drill may be needed to be made to pilot drill it first. Heating will make the nylon sabot soft and sticky. Make the tube saw with deeper fine teeth and clear chips often.

[Gtek]

Build an externally protected centered rod with a .375" 4 flute mill bit on end and shave nose. Exposing lead core and squaring nose for ball remover.

[OverMax]

Encore or Pro Hunter I'd take to a gunsmith to have its projectile removed. I wouldn't chance such a removal done by my hand. Because like you Tom I too don't know how to do a correct removal on a inline.

[Rattus58]

Thank you all... I've actually learned a lot from this thread... and therefore glad that I own a White muzzleloader as an inline... :D

Much Aloha,

Tom

[idahoron]

Can you fit a grease zerk? That would push it out.

[nekshot]

it is fun to talk about situations before they develop as murphy seems to be around corner at the worst of times! I would do the cutter deal with long rod and go from there. That sabot is a life saver in a situation like this. Any thing but a jacketed bullet jammed in the rifling and only able to get at it from front! But, we would get it out!

[Squeeze]

Had the same question for rifles like a Johnston (ultimate) rifle they have a Breech plug thats not typically owner removed, And many guys shoot things like a Parker ballistic extreme. Theres no way to get a jag into the nose of a bullet like that. a dryball situation could end up in a creative pinch

[quail4jake]

please, use a CO2 pressure system pointed down range. There is no point in risking an injury.

[Rattus58]

please, use a CO2 pressure system pointed down range. There is no point in risking an injury.

I agree... but it appears you missed the gist of the question... :D

Much Aloha,

Tom

[vzerone]

Why couldn't you remove the cap/primer, put a piece of 2x4 on a concrete floor and use the rifle as an inertia bullet puller and tap the muzzle on the board. One of two things should happen. One is the sabot and bullet come to the muzzle, and two is the bullet frees itself from the sabot and falls out the muzzle and then you can screw into the plastic sabot and pull it out. I know you are wondering if the sabot/bullet comes to the muzzle, you drill a hole in a piece of 2x4 that barrel and sight fit into (don't want to damage your sight) and another 2x4 (which will be nailed to the first one) under the first 2x4 with a hole bigger then the bore but not the muzzle. Few taps and the sabot/bullet should stick out enough to grab it and pull it all the ways out.

I edited this to say after I posted I realize you can't de-prime it so I would make sure to secure the hammer by some means.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

If the bullet nose protrudes from the sabot, possibility is to take a steel tube that will go down the bore, and stop part-way down the ogive. Cut an internal thread in that tube, cut a slot far enough down to allow a bit of springiness, and screw it onto the nose of the bullet. With luck it will get enough of a grip to pull it out.

[vzerone]

Hey wait, something just popped in my mind. Why can't you just drive out the hinge pin on the rifle? It should come apart then and you can screw out the breech plug.

[Rattus58]

Hey wait, something just popped in my mind. Why can't you just drive out the hinge pin on the rifle? It should come apart then and you can screw out the breech plug.

Being I'm not all that familiar with them Thompsons all that much... :D I can't tell you why that wasn't thought of ... or maybe was and unsuccessful... that part I don't know... but that isn't all that unlike episodes I've encountered... and frankly.. if it don't go off... it's frustrating.. :D