Gunsmithing Help- broken case stuck in chamber

Rebelirons

Rebelirons

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Feb 16, 2017
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#1
So this weekend I went shooting and after the second shot I pulled the bolt back and the case head ripped right off. I tried running a cleaning rod down with and without a patch. Tried to gently pick it out without gouging the chamber. Nothing worked. It's in there good. It's chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It's a Badger M2013 action. I chucked it up in the barrel vice and pulled the barrel off to get better access but no luck.

My question is do any of you out there have any ideas as how to get it out without scratching the chamber? I looked at the "broken case remover tool" from CJ tools( I think that's the name) but they don't have one for 6.5 Creedmoor. The case head broke off about 1/2" into the chamber, if that helps. I was thinking a screw extractor or a tap but again, I'm worried about the chamber. I'd appreciate any help or ideas guys. Thanks
 
#2
I've heard a tight fitting bronze brush pushed inside the case can work, give it a twist and pull. Never tried it, never had to. Sure hope you get it out.
 
#4
This may sound suicidal but it works. Take a tap the appropriate size and being cautious run it into the case. Attach a pair of vice grips then tap with hammer. The other way is to clean the inside of the case. Plug the case at the shoulder level and fill with epoxy and let it cure. Then knock it out with cleaning rod. Just thought of another option. This works with the barrel on. Take a large round wood rasp tape up the body leaving the end exposed. Run it into the cartridge and give it a twist to get a bite. Hold the handle with pliers and tap.
 
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#6
The last couple I've had people bring in, I have removed the barrel and soaked them in Kroil. After I take emery cloth and scuff the inside of the case pretty good and then plug it with patches and pour cerrosafe in there and stick an allen wrench in it and let cool. I was able to twist it loose and pull it out.

Casey
 
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#7
An Irwin EX-5 broken screw remover (Lowe's/Home Depot) will work. Since you have the barrel off, just lightly seat the screw remover into the case remnants with a soft tap of a light hammer to get it to bite into the brass. Then attach a socket wrench and twist it to pop it loose from the chamber wall. This worked for me on a .308 when all the "stuck case remover"'s didn't work. Didn't leave a single mark in the chamber...

 
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#9
First, freeze the barrel and push an oversized brush into the throat, and pull it back out. Freezing loosens the brass up, as it shrinks more than the steel barrel.

For tough ones, I've put a qtip with a big glob of epoxy into the case and let it set up. Then freeze it and knock it out with a cleaning rod. Works like a charm.
 
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#11
Thanks for the replies fellas. I'm gonna give the epoxy trick a try. It's actually a great idea, wish I thought of it. I'll get some picks up with the results when I get this thing out. I'll keep a tap on hand in case the epoxy don't work. Thanks again for the help
 
#12
The epoxy trick worked like a charm. I plugged the neck of the case with a patch. Epoxied a 2 1/2 inch screw dead center of the case. Grabbed it with some channel locks and tapped it with a hammer and it popped right out. Best of all, no chamber damage. Thanks again guys for your help. I'll try to get picks up later
 
#13
Hey, all of these are good ideas but my casing is so jammed that I can't get the action open or get the barrel off.
I tried the freezing, no luck.
I filled the barrel with penetrating oil, no luck.
I put a broken shell remover, 308, and that jammed it worse and I can't get the shell remover out.
I ran a steel rod down the barrel and, placing the rear of the bolt on a lift so it could come out, beat on the rod with a 4 pound hammer, no luck.
Right now I have my AR-10 sitting in my shop, broken case in chamber, bolt stuck in action, out of altitude, ideas and airspeed.
Anyone have any ideas?
 
#14
If it's an ar10, pop the handguard off, unscrew the barrel nut and you should be able to slide barrel right out. It's gona be near impossible to get the receivers apart with the carrier half way into the buffer tube since it can't seat. Cutting off the upper is another option, might be cheaper and faster.
 
#17
rogerlmeyer said:
Hey, all of these are good ideas but my casing is so jammed that I can't get the action open or get the barrel off.
I tried the freezing, no luck.
I filled the barrel with penetrating oil, no luck.
I put a broken shell remover, 308, and that jammed it worse and I can't get the shell remover out.
I ran a steel rod down the barrel and, placing the rear of the bolt on a lift so it could come out, beat on the rod with a 4 pound hammer, no luck.
Right now I have my AR-10 sitting in my shop, broken case in chamber, bolt stuck in action, out of altitude, ideas and airspeed.
Anyone have any ideas?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure that I'm following. Are you using the type of broken shell extractor pictured below? You said "bolt stuck in action", did you mean "bolt carrier group"? Is the upper and lower mated together (or able to be mated together) with the BCG stuck fully in battery? Have you done anything to the BCG, like removed the firing pin?

l_080000441_1.jpg
 
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#18
If he can't get the action open( it's an ar10) how is he going to remove the firing pin? LoL.

It's why you take your gun to a smith instead of asking questions here. Half the people here don't even understand how basic firearms function, much less how to repair them.
 
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#19
So I am just a bit confused, what was the event that preceded this situation? Is the bcg partially open or locked in battery? I made an assumption that you were able to remove the magazine. You said you could not remove the barrel, could you get the nut off? With it off should be able to slide a rod down the barrel and either drive the BCG out of battery or the barrel out from the receiver.
 
#20
DeathBeforeDismount said:
If he can't get the action open( it's an ar10) how is he going to remove the firing pin? LoL.

It's why you take your gun to a smith instead of asking questions here. Half the people here don't even understand how basic firearms function, much less how to repair them.
Click to expand...
People have removed the firing pin and installed BCGs before. He may have done so thinking that the firing pin might strike the hardened steel of the shell extractor, then re-installed the BCG in the upper before he pushed it onto the shell extractor. Removing the firing pin can allow the cam pin to rotate, locking it up in the cam pin cut-out, where the BCG cannot move.

OP, I would not listen to any of DeathBeforeDismount's advice, including attempting to remove the barrel with a BCG locked in battery or cutting the upper off.
 
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#21
Rebelirons said:
So this weekend I went shooting and after the second shot I pulled the bolt back and the case head ripped right off. I tried running a cleaning rod down with and without a patch. Tried to gently pick it out without gouging the chamber. Nothing worked. It's in there good. It's chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. It's a Badger M2013 action. I chucked it up in the barrel vice and pulled the barrel off to get better access but no luck.

My question is do any of you out there have any ideas as how to get it out without scratching the chamber? I looked at the "broken case remover tool" from CJ tools( I think that's the name) but they don't have one for 6.5 Creedmoor. The case head broke off about 1/2" into the chamber, if that helps. I was thinking a screw extractor or a tap but again, I'm worried about the chamber. I'd appreciate any help or ideas guys. Thanks
Click to expand...
A lot of good suggestions so far! Any success? If you have access to some dry ice, you might be able to warm the barrel a bit with a torch and then put a bit of dry ice in the casing in the barrel and use the methods mentioned earlier using a stiff bronze brush? Just an idea....
 
#24
msgriff said:
People have removed the firing pin and installed BCGs before. He may have done so thinking that the firing pin might strike the hardened steel of the shell extractor, then re-installed the BCG in the upper before he pushed it onto the shell extractor. Removing the firing pin can allow the cam pin to rotate, locking it up in the cam pin cut-out, where the BCG cannot move.

OP, I would not listen to any of DeathBeforeDismount's advice, including attempting to remove the barrel with a BCG locked in battery or cutting the upper off.
Click to expand...
Stop talking. You are showing how ignorant you are with every post. If it was locked into battery he wouldn't be able to use a broken shell extractor. You don't even understand how the platform works.

A bolt in battery would make removing a barrel impossible..yet you clearly don't realize it would be impossible to be locked into battery and for him to make the various attempts. People like you are why the few gunsmith left make good money.

Once the barrel is off, the best thing he can do is tap the shell and pry it out, since nothing else seems to work.

It's also a lesson in why you don't use steel case, old brass, high pressure loads,ect in an ar10 or scar17. They are hell on brass and this usually results in CHS due to the mass and force of the carrier.
 
#27
Die4toys said:
Oops, sorry. Just joined the forum and making rookie moves!
Click to expand...
@Die4toys - another member refreshed this thread yesterday with a similar...and perhaps more acute...problem so, while @Rebelirons did indeed solve his issue...the thread is not totally ancient history.

www.snipershide.com

Gunsmithing - Help- broken case stuck in chamber

So this weekend I went shooting and after the second shot I pulled the bolt back and the case head ripped right off. I tried running a cleaning rod down with and without a patch. Tried to gently pick it out without gouging the chamber. Nothing worked. It's in there good. It's chambered in 6.5...
www.snipershide.com www.snipershide.com
 
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#28
rogerlmeyer said:
Hey, all of these are good ideas but my casing is so jammed that I can't get the action open or get the barrel off.
I tried the freezing, no luck.
I filled the barrel with penetrating oil, no luck.
I put a broken shell remover, 308, and that jammed it worse and I can't get the shell remover out.
I ran a steel rod down the barrel and, placing the rear of the bolt on a lift so it could come out, beat on the rod with a 4 pound hammer, no luck.
Right now I have my AR-10 sitting in my shop, broken case in chamber, bolt stuck in action, out of altitude, ideas and airspeed.
Anyone have any ideas?
Click to expand...
Being that you were able to insert a broken shell extractor, I’m assuming that the bolt carrier group (BCG) is not locked into the barrel extension. But, the bolt not being able to go into battery is keeping you from removing the upper from the lower.

If this is the case, DBD is right, just remove the hand guard and remove the barrel nut. This will allow you to remove the barrel. With the barrel out of the way, the BCG will be able to move far enough forward to allow you to pull the upper from the lower. With the rest of the gun out of the way, it will be a lot easier to remedy the stuck case. At this point, however, I’d probably take the barrel to a gun smith. And, I’d start looking at new barrels, in case my remedial actions did some harm to the problem one.

And, pictures of the problem can be helpful in diagnosing the issue. In this case, they really are worth 1000 words.
 
#29
DeathBeforeDismount said:
If it's an ar10, pop the handguard off, unscrew the barrel nut and you should be able to slide barrel right out. It's gona be near impossible to get the receivers apart with the carrier half way into the buffer tube since it can't seat. Cutting off the upper is another option, might be cheaper and faster.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, the barrel nut will not turn to remove the barrel.
 
#30
The carrier and bolt are stuck between the upper receiver and the barrel and neither will budge. I have tried just about everything, except what works. My next option is to use liquid Nitrogen to freeze everything, then allow the outer portion of the barrel to warm so that the barrel does not shatter and then use a bolt/nut press to pull the bolt carrier out the back of the carrier.
 
#31
rogerlmeyer said:
Unfortunately, the barrel nut will not turn to remove the barrel.
Click to expand...
Need more “chooch.” It’ll turn, but it’s on tight. If you can’t get it to budge, or don’t want to risk further damage, it’s time to take the gun to a smith.

I was dealing with a similar issue earlier this week. BCG wouldn’t go into battery. Couldn’t remove the upper. Pulled HG and removed barrel nut. Resolved issue. Reassembled gun. Back to range and it hadn’t even lost zero…
 
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#32
hlee said:
Need more “chooch.” It’ll turn, but it’s on tight. If you can’t get it to budge, or don’t want to risk further damage, it’s time to take the gun to a smith.

I was dealing with a similar issue earlier this week. BCG wouldn’t go into battery. Couldn’t remove the upper. Pulled HG and removed barrel nut. Resolved issue. Reassembled gun. Back to range and it hadn’t even lost zero…
Click to expand...
Unfortunately for me, I am a smith with over 60 years of experience and have NEVER seen anything like this before. I can't imagine how the casing has become so attached to the inside of the chamber when it was a standard factory 308 that was fired in a rifle that was used, according to the owner, for several years and many rounds. With this one the barrel nut cannot be removed because the BCG is stuck halfway between the upper receiver and the barrel, so it is partway into the nut and part way into the receiver.
 
#33
rogerlmeyer said:
Unfortunately for me, I am a smith with over 60 years of experience and have NEVER seen anything like this before. I can't imagine how the casing has become so attached to the inside of the chamber when it was a standard factory 308 that was fired in a rifle that was used, according to the owner, for several years and many rounds. With this one the barrel nut cannot be removed because the BCG is stuck halfway between the upper receiver and the barrel, so it is partway into the nut and part way into the receiver.
Click to expand...
Take some pictures so we can see what you see. I’m having a hard time envisioning a scenario where the bolt carrier interferes with the barrel nut.
 
#34
rogerlmeyer said:
Unfortunately for me, I am a smith with over 60 years of experience and have NEVER seen anything like this before. I can't imagine how the casing has become so attached to the inside of the chamber when it was a standard factory 308 that was fired in a rifle that was used, according to the owner, for several years and many rounds. With this one the barrel nut cannot be removed because the BCG is stuck halfway between the upper receiver and the barrel, so it is partway into the nut and part way into the receiver.
Click to expand...
A slight change, the barrel nut already has been removed but the barrel cannot be removed because the BCG is between the barrel and upper receiver - sorry for my misleading term, I meant to say that the BCG would not allow the barrel to be removed due to having the stuck casing being attached to the BCG by a broken cartridge remover, neither of which will budge.
 
#35
rogerlmeyer said:
A slight change, the barrel nut already has been removed but the barrel cannot be removed because the BCG is between the barrel and upper receiver - sorry for my misleading term, I meant to say that the BCG would not allow the barrel to be removed due to having the stuck casing being attached to the BCG by a broken cartridge remover, neither of which will budge.
Click to expand...
What kind of stock is on the gun? If it has a true rifle extension, you can spin that off and remove the buffer and spring. At least you won’t be fighting them anymore. But, if it has a carbine extension, the buffer retainer will prevent you from removing the receiver extension.

On another note, how partial are you to the charging handle?
 
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#36
hlee said:
What kind of stock is on the gun? If it has a true rifle extension, you can spin that off and remove the buffer and spring. At least you won’t be fighting them anymore. But, if it has a carbine extension, the buffer retainer will prevent you from removing the receiver extension.

On another note, how partial are you to the charging handle?
Click to expand...
I have already strilled the thing down to the upper receiver, the BCG which I can't remove and the barrel which I can't separate. The only things that are still connected, and that is because they WON'T come apart are the barrel, the upper receiver and the BCG.
 
#40
So you got the bolt stuck in battery becuase you used a broken shell extractor and now you can't apply enough force to retract the bolt out of battery and can't get the barrel off becuase the bolt lugs are seated in the barrel extension? Don't feel bad it's probally what I would have done too. Sometimes shit just doesn't go as planned.

At this point the barrel is most likely fucked with all the beating done and if the brass is cold welded to the chamber you will probally have to tap it to break it up, but the barrel is still jacked. The upper might even be toast depending on how much beating on it.

Tell the customer there is nothing that can be done and he needs a new barrel at the least. Also find out what ammo he is using, as that's probally the root cause ( although a miss cut chamber can contribute)

It's going to be hard to remove the bolt without possibly messing up the upper. Even if you saw /grind off the barrel in front of the upper threads, the bolt is still going to hold the barrel extension by the lugs.

Only way I can think of getting it out is hammering the charging handle. It may or may not shear off but you need to get the bolt out of battery and it's either going to come out, the extractor fails and it comes out or you will break off the charging handle . You could also MAP torch the barrel extension and see if you can get the brass to loosen up/melt a bit....then try the charging handle.
You dont have any more good options so assume the whole upper is toast and try your best to salvage what you can. Good luck man.
 
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#42
DeathBeforeDismount said:
So you got the bolt stuck in battery becuase you used a broken shell extractor and now you can't apply enough force to retract the bolt out of battery and can't get the barrel off becuase the bolt lugs are seated in the barrel extension? Don't feel bad it's probally what I would have done too. Sometimes shit just doesn't go as planned.

At this point the barrel is most likely fucked with all the beating done and if the brass is cold welded to the chamber you will probally have to tap it to break it up, but the barrel is still jacked. The upper might even be toast depending on how much beating on it.

Tell the customer there is nothing that can be done and he needs a new barrel at the least. Also find out what ammo he is using, as that's probally the root cause ( although a miss cut chamber can contribute)

It's going to be hard to remove the bolt without possibly messing up the upper. Even if you saw /grind off the barrel in front of the upper threads, the bolt is still going to hold the barrel extension by the lugs.

Only way I can think of getting it out is hammering the charging handle. It may or may not shear off but you need to get the bolt out of battery and it's either going to come out, the extractor fails and it comes out or you will break off the charging handle . You could also MAP torch the barrel extension and see if you can get the brass to loosen up/melt a bit....then try the charging handle.
You dont have any more good options so assume the whole upper is toast and try your best to salvage what you can. Good luck man.
Click to expand...
Thanks, right now I've got the whole mess soaking in liquid Nitrogen hoping it will shrink the brass. I am going to allow the barrel and chamber to warm to avoid shattering it from the cold and see if I can get it out. Next will be to remove the barrel extension although it appears that this barrel and extension are one piece. I appreciate the advice.
 
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#43
Once upon a 3rd world country ago...

In Iraq I always had my share of M4s and (mostly) Peshmerga (Kurdish) issue bang sticks to fix. Often, the ammo was dug out of a hole in the ground and it resulted in more than one case "sneezing" and becoming stuck in the chamber. The fix that I found to work quite well:

  • Get a chamber brush and scrub the ID of the stuck case to remove carbon. If it pops out along the way, cool. -Better to be lucky than good. Blast it with some solvent. I used starting fluid as it was available. (the cheap shit with no top cylinder lubricant (oil) added.

  • Next, a tube of epoxy and a fresh chamber brush. Mix the resin/catalyst, roll the brush around in it, and coat it liberally. Shove it in the hole and let it sit until it cures. A few stiff yanks and they always came out. Maybe wipe a little oil on the breech/barrel extension to mitigate any mess from the epoxy from sticking to it.

Good luck.
 
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#44
What a great solution. RESPECT.
LRI said:
Once upon a 3rd world country ago...

In Iraq I always had my share of M4s and (mostly) Peshmerga (Kurdish) issue bang sticks to fix. Often, the ammo was dug out of a hole in the ground and it resulted in more than one case "sneezing" and becoming stuck in the chamber. The fix that I found to work quite well:

  • Get a chamber brush and scrub the ID of the stuck case to remove carbon. If it pops out along the way, cool. -Better to be lucky than good. Blast it with some solvent. I used starting fluid as it was available. (the cheap shit with no top cylinder lubricant (oil) added.

  • Next, a tube of epoxy and a fresh chamber brush. Mix the resin/catalyst, roll the brush around in it, and coat it liberally. Shove it in the hole and let it sit until it cures. A few stiff yanks and they always came out. Maybe wipe a little oil on the breech/barrel extension to mitigate any mess from the epoxy from sticking to it.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
 
#45
I've had to remove two stuck cases with the base broke off for the same guy . He needs to throw away some old brass but I like the easy work.
Here's my trick that works perfect every time . Push a tight patch up to the neck from the muzzle end and put the action in a vise with the muzzle pointing down . Melt some Cerrosafe and with a small funnel and vinyl tubing pour the melted liquid in the chamber . It will cool real quick just tap the brass out . I like this method better than sticking tools or epoxy in a chamber and you can get some measurements at the same time .
 
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