Ruger 10/22 Problem
Thanks again everyone for all your help. Especially, pdowg881 who gave me the idea. Instead of sand, I put about 30" of old magazines tightly into a box and aimed the rifle there while I disassembled it carefully. Bullet was extracted without releasing the hammer and the problem was identified as the ejector slipping into the wrong place at assembly. It had fallen back by the bolt lock while assembling. I am going to keep the box of magazines in lieu of my mattress for future cycling.