patch stuck in zouave

[Gambit88]

Actually its more like some paper towl i turned into a patch in an emergency. anyways Its stuck way down at the breach and Im pretty sure a patch puller wont get it out. Ive been told to blow air through the nipple but That didnt work to well either. My next step is to remove the nipple so I have a bigger hole to blow air through. Its seized pretty well though. I know there are a lot of threads on here about stuck nipples but I cant find any of them and I recall most of them being about revolvers. How would I free the one on my rifle?

Sorry I know this gets asked all the time.

Gambit

 

[scrat]

metal clothes hanger bend it straight then make a hook on the end. down the barrel and pull the cloth out. as for the nipple same way as on a revolver. make sure you start the soaking first with a good penetrating oil.

 

[Gambit88]

I didnt think of the clothes hanger. I have a cleaning jag with a point on it and I was hoping I could snag it with the jag but all i did was smash it down to the base of the breach.

Gambit

 

[TomADC]

Too late now but I'd order one of these. BTW in the patch box on my Zouave there was one in it that fit the ram rod.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartList.aspx?catID=6&subID=49&styleID=165

 

[Hellgate]

Gambit,
You want the WormDP. My Zouave came with a worm that fits onto the threaded end of the ramrod. I dig patches out with it all the time. Sometimes you have to sharpen the prongs or file them to a shape that has more "grab". They work great for pulling out minies too. You might also consider one of the CO2 ball expellers that fits over the nipple and blows out the loaded balls. A patch oughta come out with a worm though.

 

[arcticap]

Something similar to this TC patch worm can be fashioned out of a paper clip after it has been twisted and secured around a patch loop attachment for a cleaning rod.

Another way would be to secure it to the end of a wooden dowel from the hardware store (or Walmart craft dept.) by using a nail, screw, or epoxying it into a slot cut into the end of the dowel.
The wire hooks can be reinforced at the base with epoxy so they don't come loose just like what sometimes needs to be done with the TC factory made patch worms.

Or perhaps the paper towel can be fired out by placing a few grains of powder under the nipple.

 

[BHP FAN]

''Or perhaps the paper towel can be fired out by placing a few grains of powder under the nipple...''
Works for me every time .Arcticap beat me to it.

 

[Black Toe Knives]

Few grains of powder removed a broken ram rod for me once.

 

[Gambit88]

Thanks for the advise guys. I plan on trying to find a ball puller or worm today when I go out to get a nipple wrench and some penatrating oil. I did think of trying to shoot it out, but I live in a residential area and I dont think the neighbors/poliece would be to fond of that. Im thinking about ordering a seargants tool. Figure it may come in handy

Gambit

 

[Acorn Mush]

Another solution would be to put 5 or 10 grains of powder under the nipple, bury the muzzle in a few damp rags, cap the nipple and pull the trigger. The patch should come out, there won't be more noise than the cap going off, and the damp rags eliminate the fire hazard. Just be sure to check them to make double-certain sure the rags aren't smoldering prior to disposal.

 

[Texas Moon]

A cheap way: Use an undersized bore brush.
Attach to tip of a long cleaning rod. Run it down and see if you can catch it.

 

[bedbugbilly]

Gambit88 - instead of going through all you are trying with a worm, etc. . . . why don't your remove your barrel bands, take out the tang screw, remove the barrel, place it in a padded vise and unscrew the breechplug? It's not a hard job to do. Once your breech plug is removed, use a dowel to push it out the breech end and while you have the plug out, do a throrogh cleaning of your barrel and remvoe the nipple and do a thorough cleaning of the bolster as well. Reassemble the barrel, put the gun back together and you're ready to go.

 

[bedbugbilly]

I forgot about your nipple that you are having problems removing. Still unbreech your barrel and get the wadding pushed out of it. Once that is done, shoot penetrating oil (or similar penetrating solution - we used brake fluid on the farm in place of penetrating oil) into the flash opening on the inside of your breech as well as in and around your nipple. Let it set for a few days and then try to get the nipple to break loose. Sometimes applying a little heat to it with a propane torch will help BUT remember that brake fluid and many penetrating oils are highly flammable so be careful - it goes without saying, do not do this if you have not remvoed the wadding and any unburned powder could be present (or projectile)! Use caution and use common sense.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Like articap recommended, a worm.

 

[Gambit88]

I tried the worm it didnt work. The wad seems like its mashed down the barrel as far as it will go from me trying to get it out. Ill have to break it down and see if i can push it out from the back, but I dont think I can.

Gambit

 

[badpenny]

fire a couple of rounds and burn it out

 

[Gambit88]

Bedbug how would I remove the breach? and for that matter to all you suggesting I shoot it out how much powder should I use?

Gambit

 

[TomADC]

Gambit88

Gambit88 this is a paper towel stuff in the barrel and nothing else?
If fill it with hot water and slowly disolve it. Use the worm to tear it up a little at a time.

 

[Gambit88]

Theres some masking tape on the papertowel somewhere down there. I tried taping the paper towel to the ramrod to try and wipe it out. didnt work too well.

Gambit

 

[arcticap]

Bedbug how would I remove the breach? and for that matter to all you suggesting I shoot it out how much powder should I use?

Removing a breech plug is a major endeavor and can be risky, especially for the inexperienced. That's usually only done as a last resort and is sort of an extreme measure for many folks to attempt competantly.
As much powder as can be fit should probably be dribbled under the nipple. Usually only a few grains is needed to expell a .49 patched ball that's loaded dry without powder. But a larger bore would need proportionately more powder.
But if some of the air from the powder firing off leaks past the paper towel, then it might not be expelled. So dribble in some extra powder if you can by helping it to flow into the powder chamber. Since the bore is larger you'll need a little more powder to create enough pressure.
If 5-10 grains could be put in there it would be better then using less.
Also, I don't want to steer you wrong but tamping down on the paper towel with the ramrod before firing it off may help to seal in enough of the gases to actually have a chance to expell the paper towel.
The risk is that if it doesn't shoot out then the paper towel might be stuck even more.
But tamping it down increases the chances of it being shot out rather than having the air leak past the paper towel and it not be expelled.
Even if the paper towel only moves up the bore 1/2 way, then it will be easier to pull it out the rest of the way using an accessory hook.
Don't be afraid to shoot it out. The amount of powder is still very small for the size of the bore.
It could be aimed into the toilet in the bathroom. Wear ear and eye protection and turn on the exhaust fan if you have one.

 

[James T Thomas]

try again

A long wooden dowell, fishing cane, etc.

Split the end an inch or so.

Insert an Exacto razor blade; like an arrow head on a shaft. Wrap it and perhaps glue it.

Cut the patch into pieces.

Maybe.

 

[Chawbaccer]

BUrning it out is probably best, but how about getting it wet and then using a can of compressed air, like for cleaning computers and blow it thru the nipple, this will freeze the paper and allow it to be broken up and fall out the muzzle? Hmm? good idea?

 

[Hellgate]

If you are trying to shoot it out, don't dump more powder in for a second try for a couple of hours. You don't want an ember down in there to set off your next charge while you are trying to put more powder in.

 

[W.E.G.]

Heat the barrel to dull red in the area where the patch is stuck.

The patch will burn up, and your barrel will be clear.

 

[Hellgate]

W.E.G. Wouldn't that ruin the temper of the metal and soften it. I'm not sure I could figure out what a dull red was unless it was real dark.