How to get a squib round out of the barrel

LVshooter

LVshooter

Gunny Sergeant
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Dec 10, 2003
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Las Vegas NV
#1
Yesterday I was doing some subsonic load testing and got a .308 bullet stuck in the barrel. It was about 3" from the muzzle end. I tried tapping it out from the chamber end with a dewy rod and a rubber mallet but it wouldn't budge. So I put some penetrating oil in each end and let it sit overnight. In the morning I was beating on the cleaning rod with a 3LB single jack so hard I thought I would break the cleaning rod. It still wouldn't budge. I then put the barrel (Switch barrel setup) in the freezer for about an hour. The bullet then came out real easy.
Just thought I would share this info to anyone else that might have this happen.
Buy the way the Dewy cleaning rod suffered no damage. I thought for sure I would ruin it. The threads didn't even get damaged. Big + for Dewy rods.
 
#3
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LVshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yesterday I was doing some subsonic load testing and got a .308 bullet stuck in the barrel. It was about 3" from the muzzle end. I tried tapping it out from the chamber end with a dewy rod and a rubber mallet but it wouldn't budge. So I put some penetrating oil in each end and let it sit overnight. In the morning I was beating on the cleaning rod with a 3LB single jack so hard I thought I would break the cleaning rod. It still wouldn't budge. I then put the barrel (Switch barrel setup) in the freezer for about an hour. The bullet then came out real easy.
Just thought I would share this info to anyone else that might have this happen.
Buy the way the Dewy cleaning rod suffered no damage. I thought for sure I would ruin it. The threads didn't even get damaged. Big + for Dewy rods. </div></div>

You should run that gun in the match, just to make sure.
smile.gif
 
#5
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

If you just insert a steel rod that is a neat fit in the bore not a cleaning rod it will come out with a few wacks with a hammer . The cleaning rod is too weak and springy . A neat fitting steel rod will not hurt the rifling . I have done it several times with no drama .
 
#6
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Country</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you just insert a steel rod that is a neat fit in the bore not a cleaning rod it will come out with a few wacks with a hammer . The cleaning rod is too weak and springy . A neat fitting steel rod will not hurt the rifling . I have done it several times with no drama . </div></div>
Thanks, Thats good to know.
 
#8
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

Very interesting results, and not something I would have thought of. My question is if this is something you could do on the range in a pinch by using a CO2 fire extinguisher to cool the barrel? I hope I never have to find out.
 
#9
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very interesting results, and not something I would have thought of. My question is if this is something you could do on the range in a pinch by using a CO2 fire extinguisher to cool the barrel? I hope I never have to find out. </div></div>

The recharge on that CO2 extinguisher is going to cost about the same as if you took it to a gunsmith and paid for an hour of labor. I'd just take it home first.
 
#10
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

Not if you are a firefighter
wink.gif


What about a wooden dowel? I just seem a little leery about sticking steel rods down my barrel. Never had a squib but just for future reference.
 
#12
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very interesting results, and not something I would have thought of. My question is if this is something you could do on the range in a pinch by using a CO2 fire extinguisher to cool the barrel? I hope I never have to find out. </div></div>

You might want to find some dry ice in a pinch...
 
#13
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

Brass rods are cheap, they won't scratch the steel and won't bend like a wooden dowel.
 
#14
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For a really stuck bullet the wooden dowels have a tendency to just break under the compression load. Brass rod from the hardware store works very well and it's not going to hurt the barrel at all. </div></div>
They also tend to mushroom at the tip and will get stuck in the bore also.
Had a thought... What about a can of freon. I think you can get one of the little R134A service cans at the local auto parts store. That stuff is -15 degrees as a liquid. You could pour some of that on it. Or just open the can and spray it on. I think the stuff goes for around $5 to $7 a can.
 
#16
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The Mechanic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For a really stuck bullet the wooden dowels have a tendency to just break under the compression load. Brass rod from the hardware store works very well and it's not going to hurt the barrel at all. </div></div>
They also tend to mushroom at the tip and will get stuck in the bore also.
Had a thought... What about a can of freon. I think you can get one of the little R134A service cans at the local auto parts store. That stuff is -15 degrees as a liquid. You could pour some of that on it. Or just open the can and spray it on. I think the stuff goes for around $5 to $7 a can. </div></div>

Not a bad idea on the freon. That makes me think about "Duster" or "Canned Air" as a use. Turn the can upside down and hose it in there, it's about -40F IIRC when it evaporates.
 
#19
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

I do not understand the mechanics, but hitting a bullet with a rod can wedge it in tighter.

That does not matter with a cast bullet, but with a jacketed bullet that can become such a big deal that the bullet must be drilled out.

Usually jacketed bullets can be pounds back to the chamber in a rifle if they are in the throat, and can be pounds all the way through in a large caliber pistol. But is rifles when the bullet is in the middle of the barrel, one does not dare bump it with the rod.

But by putting oil between the bullet and the rod, the rod can be pounded and hydraulically push the bullet out.
 
#21
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LVshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It was an incendiary round so I didn't want to hammer on it from the muzzle end. </div></div>

Probably A good plan..I'm just sayin'

Thanks for the freezer tip
 
#22
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

That happen to me once in my 308. I just bought a solid steel rode 1/4 and hammed it out. It was a factory barrel so It didn't bother me to much good thing its never happened to any of my custom tubes. My 308 still shoots sub .5 as long as I run the gun correct.
 
#23
Re: How to get a squib round out of the barrel

Good to know - thanks, LV shooter. I've seen plenty of squibs removed from pistol barrels but I think that's a whole different ball game than with rifle.

Of course if you're up in North Dakota in the winter time you can just wait 30 seconds for the barrel to cool to -30 and then the bullet will just fall right out
laugh.gif


Bear
 
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