Stuck Minie Ball 150 years old...

[Loyalist Dave]

Making or buying better blocks and using rosin may be what it takes.

OR you might drop $40 on an insert to turn your standard vice into an actual barrel vice https://jet.com/product/detail/3e26...&clickid=eddba6db-7c48-46c2-8fae-a89d80518545, but perhaps the breech area is too large even for the "bull" barrel opening?....or you could build a vice since this $60 version doesn't seem that complicated https://www.midwayusa.com/product/226100/wheeler-engineering-barrel-vise-with-3-wood-bushings, and you can buy professional bushings after your build https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/248002/wheeler-engineering-wood-bushings-for-the-wheeler-engineering-barrel-vise-package-of-3?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Gunsmithing+-+Tools,+Jigs+&+Fixtures-_-Wheeler+Engineering-_-248002&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0vHBoNvH1QIVAzNpCh2v_AqqEAQYAiABEgJRR_D_BwE, or maybe they would work with your present vice?

LD

 

[4v50 Gary]

Loyalist Dave - how well do those urethane lined barrel blocks work? I've no experience with them.

 

[VaTechDude]

Latest update: after epoxying the duct tape wrapped barrel into the blocks, and using C-clamps to clamp together, I got the breech plug to turn 15 degrees! And then the epoxy broke and the barrel started just spinning. But the breech plug did come lose

 

[4v50 Gary]

C-clamps? Put it into a big vise and clamp it between those jaws.

 

[VaTechDude]

I unfortunately do not have a vice. I am currently using 4 C-clamps so I would assume that would be sufficient

 

[sharps59]

yourin Maryland go see Charlie Hahn or send it to Bobby Hoyt, Dan whitcher or Lodgewood and be done w it. they will also tell you if its safe to shoot