Help! Stuck Bullet!

EDIT: Didn't get the bullet out, ordered a new barrel. End of story. Upgraded the rest of the rifle while I was at it. Here is the thread on that: http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...151#post199151

That's right, I stuck a bullet.

My dad handloads and I bought him some Barnes 150gr solid copper 270 bullets so he could put together some loads for me to go elk hunting with. In the process of shooting the various loads (I was on the 56.5gr of R22 for the curious ones out there) to see which ones group best, I had a squib. It must have been bad powder because I heard it fizzle out. It must have been just enough to push the bullet onto the rifling, because it didn't make it very far down the barrel.

So I tried beating it out with a brass cleaning rod- broke the cleaning rod. I soaked it overnight with rem oil and lucas oil. Next I tried hammering it out with a 3/16" solid brass rod. I bent the brass rod. Finally I tried hammering it out with a 3/16" steel rod- I figured this was the last resort. I bent the steel rod. I bent it back as straight as possible and continued hammering. Repeat about 16x. The bullet still hasn't budged. All this beating was done from the muzzle end since the bullet is so near the chamber; in fact, I can see the back of the bullet when I look down the bolt opening with the bolt removed. So frustrating!

I am getting a little desperate. This may be a once in a lifetime elk hunt for me and I want to be completely prepared well in advance. I scoured the internet for savage 270 sporter barrels as a last, last resort but have come up completely dry. The only option anywhere near my price range was the E.R. shaw kit (which is longer that I'd like. I preferred my stock 21" barrel) and no one has it in stock. I also saw the Shilen but they also don't have any in .270.

Thanks for any suggestions you can come up with. I'm going to try and call around some gunsmiths tomorrow, but am not sure what they'd be able to do that I haven't already. I think the fact that the bullet is solid copper is really not helping my case.

Guys, the rules have been violated a lot lately....this thread has the potential to violate them again:

http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...ode-of-Conduct

these 2 in particular:

5. Linking to or referencing any online auction listings, classified ad listings or other "for sale" items on other sites is not permitted.

6. Engaging in any type of buying/selling/trading outside of the classifieds is strictly prohibited. (also seeClassified Rules)

If you guys find a barrel or have one to sell this gentleman USE THE PM system to help him...don't post it up here.

Good luck Chrazy-Chris

I think your going to have to drill it out
Not an easy chore but possible with extension drill bits and a lathe
Jack

Have you tried heating the barrel? Using a heat gun on the outside near where the bullet is stuck? It might expand the barrel just enough to help the bullet move.

The other issue is that by pounding on the front of the bullet, you may have expanded it, further compounding the difficulty of the situation. I don't know.

You might try to " Hydraulic " it out by filling the bore with light oil, then find a rod of some sort that is a tight but not enough to wedge in the barrel. It's messy but it might work. Insert the rod and hit it with the hammer. The oil will be compressed and be pushing on the whole bullet. It will also lubricate it. I hope this works for you.

Just fill the barrel with a bore solvent, or better a mild copper solvent , let it do the work before you damage the rifling . Let it set a wile then see if you can push it out. It may take over night for something like hopped 9 to do its job but I think it would work

If time gets too short for you to make the hunt, you could go with a different caliber barrel that is available. A 30/06, 280Rem, 308Win, etc. Good Luck! :) ... Jim

Man....with all of that whaming and beating on the gun barrel, you have to figure at this point....it's one tough bullet to move. IMHO, if your going to drill it.....then you should remove the barrel from the action and start with a small drill in an attempt to center said bit into the bullet. Remember, your dealing with a drill bit that should it strike the rifling here your likely going to damage it. I would do this first on a lathe, and second on a drill press. Once you drill through the bullet, then you can go to a larger bit (Don't go to the biggest one you think will clear it) and proceed to the next size up, carefully checking your progress to see the drill bit isn't touching the bore. Once you get a hole big enough the bullet should be able to be pushed out.

Remember though, you will need a brass rod or a piece of wood that will be larger than the hole you have just drilled, yet still fit inside the bore.

And yes....Kroil will be your friend for an overnight soaking before you begin beating out this bullet.

Again....JMHO

Dave

IMHO, once you hammered that steel rod you probably damaged the rifling.

If you get that bullet out, examine the rifling to check for damage. If it's damaged, I suggest another barrel.

Look for a new barrel...yours is already screwed.

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Originally Posted by sharpshooter

Look for a new barrel...yours is already screwed.

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Oh yeah.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chrazy-Chris

It must have been bad powder because I heard it fizzle out.

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If when you pulled the brass out you did not find any powder i will say it was more likely a no powder charged load or it had very little in it.

Put your energy in a new barrel. I hate when these things happens...

Thank you all very much. This is a very helpful forum and I look forward to interacting with you all some more in the future. This is an older savage (cheesy push-button mag release button on the side of the cheapo synthetic stock, pre-accutrigger). I already upgraded to a Timney trigger which is pretty sweet. I've always wanted to upgrade the stock on this rifle and convert it to a blind mag in the process since I've had feeding problems as well. I'll probably be calling on you all for some more of your friendly advice.

As for the stuck bullet, I don't have a lathe and don't feel comfortable sticking a drill bit down the barrel using a drill gun, so I made contact with a gunsmith today. I'll be dropping off the rifle tomorrow and will let you all know the results. Hopefully I haven't screwed up the barrel already with the steel rod, but I'm keeping my eye out for a new barrel just in case.

how deep is it into the barrel?
I had a buddy of mine come across this issue as well. He got lucky in the way that he apparantly didnt get powder into that particular rd. so with that said, the primer was sufficient enuff to get projectile into the barrel about 2-3".
I found some brass rods at a local hobby shop yrs back. I keep them in all my rifle case,s for "just in case". they have several diameters and there 3ft long. I picked up 2 that are .300 and another 2 of smaller dia. for smaller caliber.
I was able to get his projectile out but it did infact beat the holy crap out of the brass rod. the bullet,s tip did mushroom quite a bit but his bullets were hollow point.
If i did have to do it again?..... Id use a press as opposed to blows from a hammer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chrazy-Chris

That's right, I stuck a bullet.

in fact, I can see the back of the bullet when I look down the bolt opening with the bolt removed. So frustrating!

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If you can see the bullet from the breech end, is there any chance you might be able to drill and tap the bullet and then use a puller to remove the bullet? Similar to removing a stuck case from a die.

Just a thought. I am no gun smith or machinist, but it may be worth a try.

Gary B.

Check your PM

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GaryB

If you can see the bullet from the breech end, is there any chance you might be able to drill and tap the bullet and then use a puller to remove the bullet? Similar to removing a stuck case from a die.

Just a thought. I am no gun smith or machinist, but it may be worth a try.

Gary B.

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Funny, I drilled the end of a brass rod and epoxied a drill bit into it in order to drill a bullet out one time. Worked like a champ.

I also sent you a pm

Thanks again guys, I just bought my membership to this forum because you all have been so helpful and kind. Time to finally surf the mysterious classifieds for some other goodies as well...

Ended up going with a 30-06 factory barrel from NSS. Hopefully the install goes smoothly and the accuracy is good enough for deer out to about 300yrds. I think I'll be going with factory ammo, at least for this season.

Jim was extremely helpful and a super nice guy. I look forward to giving him some more business the next time I need any savage barrel parts.

That is a good choice, it covers pretty much every game animal in North America. Shots at 300 yds are very doable depending on your marksmanship. Go with 180 grain. Reloads will prove better if you are looking to shoot those distances. I will be a bit nervous shooting anything that is not hand loaded over 200 yds.

Ahhhhh yes.... The 30.06. I just got mine tuned in with 180gr Nosler BT's & Speer Grand Slams. I think you'll do well with that.

By the way, did you ever get the bullet unstuck from the old barrel? how far in was it?
I can't recall ever getting a bullet jammed in the barrel that I couldn't persuade to come out using a solid brass rod or even a piece of oak dowel.
You must've really got it jammed in there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fgw_in_fla

Ahhhhh yes.... The 30.06. I just got mine tuned in with 180gr Nosler BT's & Speer Grand Slams. I think you'll do well with that.

By the way, did you ever get the bullet unstuck from the old barrel? how far in was it?
I can't recall ever getting a bullet jammed in the barrel that I couldn't persuade to come out using a solid brass rod or even a piece of oak dowel.
You must've really got it jammed in there.

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Thanks for the encouragement- I just picked up a box of Nosler Trophy Grade factory ammo which has a 180gr polymer tip AccuBond bullet I plan to use for elk. I've always shot my dad's reloads for Nebraska mule deer, but with my recent experience I just don't want to risk another squib before my first elk hunt. I don't have high expectations for the factory ammo after shooting nothing but handloads out of my 270, but as long as it isn't awful I think I should be able to hit the broadside of an elk.

After bending a 3/16" steel rod trying to hammer that bullet out of there, I finally gave up. It was all the way at the rear of the barrel, so I was trying to hammer it out from the front. I think this may have been my biggest mistake since it was a solid copper hollowpoint. I likely beat the bullet until it expanded even further into the riflings. It just didn't make sense at the time to try and drive it all the way through the barrel when I could SEE the back end of it when I looked down the back of the barrel with the bolt removed and the light just right. I did try beating on it from the rear, but at that point the damage had likely been done. I was still completely dumbfounded when I marked on my STEEL rod the position the depth of the bullet, hammered on it for a matter of 10minutes until my hand was numb and the rod was bent, then check my mark and the barrel hadn't budged a single millimeter.

When I do get the balls to go back to shooting my Pa's handloads, I'll never buy him any solid copper rounds for him to load for me again. He's already thrown away the batch of powder and case of primers used for these loads. He takes his loads very seriously and was extremely disappointed in this whole event. On the bright side, I took the opportunity to go up to a more ideal caliber for elk and decided while I was at it to upgrade the stock to a B&C Medalist. I'm looking forward to my ol deer rifle with a tune-up and makeover.

In addition to the Nosler rounds, I also bought some Hornady and Winchester 150 grainers just to help break in the barrel with and compare group sizes.

The way I look at it the situation got you to upgrade. I would bet anything that load did not have any powder if any. I had one such round one time, but it did not got stuck. Lucky me but it prompted me to weight my loads. Any big difference and the load will be taken apart. I have not yet fund one but being that my loads are all over 55 grain it will be supper easy to see the difference. Good luck.

Those Nosler / Federal Vital Shok cartridges for $45 a box is what prompted me to start rolling my own. Using those was the first time I ever shot a group of 5 rounds & it looked like a clover leaf. It was love at first group.

At 45 samolians a box of 20 I needed to take out a mortgage for a weekend of shooting.

And to think you scored a better barrel all because of a lil' 'ol bullet stuck in the pipe. It seems to me the Savage Gods have smiled upon thee. Here's where your OCD / Savage Addiction begins.
Lots of luck with the new barrel.

Try a box of Hornady SUPERFORMANCE 180 gr. Boattail Spire Points or SST's. I've shot these in several different 06's and got amazing groups for factory ammo. I've also taken whitetails with it and it is awesome. 5 shot groups in the .2 to .3 range !

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll keep those in mind for sure.

I suspect you will be very happy with the Nosler ammo...the do good work! You will also be very impressed with the Accubond bullet...I use them in several loads including my primary deer and elk loads in .308 and 270WSM.

My suspicion is that the squib round was powderless...based on the location of your bullet, it is most likely that the bullet was pushed by the primer only. Seen similar incidents before...not fun.

Here is a picture of the stuck bullet- so close but so far:

This is taken looking to the rear of the barrel with the bolt removed.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/9...ebbe4d4b_c.jpg

Here is the carnage this little guy caused:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/9...81dd1875_z.jpg

I started a sort of "build" thread in the pics forum to document my re-build and upgrades and get a fresh start on the progress: http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...151#post199151

When you get the barrel off you can drill it out from the chamber end.

Chris, I know I am late in joining this discussion but what I would like to address is a possible safety issue with the reloads. If you had a very light powder charge in the reload that caused the problem you might possibly have an over-charged cartridge in your father's reloads somewhere. I had an occurrance when using my powder charger that the powder had jammed in the drop, resulting minimal to no powder in the case. When the next case was being charged the vibration loosened up the 'jam' and powder spilled out over the top of the case. This is obvious in normal powder loads, but if making reduced powder loads(hence less volume in case), and a faster burning rate powder esp as used for cast bullet loads, you might have a reload that is overcharged in that batch and EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Just passing this on and hope it is helpful.

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Originally Posted by Dispatch1

Chris, I know I am late in joining this discussion but what I would like to address is a possible safety issue with the reloads. If you had a very light powder charge in the reload that caused the problem you might possibly have an over-charged cartridge in your father's reloads somewhere. I had an occurrance when using my powder charger that the powder had jammed in the drop, resulting minimal to no powder in the case. When the next case was being charged the vibration loosened up the 'jam' and powder spilled out over the top of the case. This is obvious in normal powder loads, but if making reduced powder loads(hence less volume in case), and a faster burning rate powder esp as used for cast bullet loads, you might have a reload that is overcharged in that batch and EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Just passing this on and hope it is helpful.

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Thanks for the warning, Dispatch (no pun intended). Neither my Dad nor I have a .270 anymore, so I'll probably throw out the rest of these loads. He's pretty set on trying to figure out what went wrong, so if I do give them back to him I'll pass on the warning and make sure he carefully weighs each load. I don't think he used a progressive for these, since it was in the load development phase and he was measuring out several different weights of powder.

I'd take them apart and dispose of the powder no matter if they weighed or not.

I like the Hornady collet bullet puller a lot for disassembling ammo. If used properly you can remove bullets from brass without even leaving a mark on the projectile.
It sucks about the stuck bullet but at least you were paying attention and didn't attempt to load another round and fire it. Good luck on your new barrel.

Michael

I use the RCBS inertia puller. it works great for me and RCBS does stand behind their products. in about 8 years I have broken the screwing tap and the puller itself. both times I have received a replacement. for me it is RCBS first then the others... good luck!