Stuck stripped ball

[Kary]

I’ve had that happen before, same circumstances... almost exactly.  I soaked the inside bore with a large amount of transmission fluid then I found a metal screw that was slightly larger diameter than my ball puller. I then soldered the screw to a smaller jag I had laying around, as streight as I could and it worked like a charm. I then reheated screw and melted solder to re-use my jag as it was intended. Just make double sure your screw is as streight as possible on the jag, or it will try and Unscrew out of round and mess things up even further.

[Brokennock]

If the hole is all the way through, could one screw the puller screw back into the ball tight enough for the grease gun trick to work? Or, with a range rod or other rod (not the one that comes with the gun) use the air compressor? I mention using a different rod as I see no way to unscrew the rod from the puller without unscrewing the puller from the ball.

[Daryl]

A larger screw should work to pull the ball.  You should have the bore clean as possible and lubed with an oil.
 You likely will not be able to unscrew the ball puller from the rod without unscrewing the screw from the ball.
If the rod and screw were in the ball and sealing it in the bore, a CO2 discharger might move it enough, to allow
pulling it the rest of the way out. I would not use grease under any circumstances. I'd rather pull the plug and
push the dang thing out from the breech.
1 thing is certain, you have to get it out and cleaned as soon as possible.

[Brokennock]

Sacrifice the puller by putting a dab of 2 part epoxy on it, screw it into the ball, pull ball, unscrew puller from rod,,,,, mount ball an puller on trophy plaque.

[MuskratMike]

Brokennock: that is the best idea yet.

[WadePatton]

Brokennock: that is the best idea yet.

Wonder if the OP got the ball a movin' yet?

And you don't have to lose the puller to epoxy if you don't want to.  Heat breaks epoxy.

But would be a good wall hanging--I'd title one: Powder First!

[Kary]

Another thought, one could use a larger screw to plug hole in ball, then oil the inside of the bore, then used compressed air to attempt a discharge? I know it’s close to another idea already said.. but I like using what I have available and an air compressor I have...another thought, I don’t know about the two part epoxy, everything has to be very clean for that to be effective enough to pull a ball. I’d not trust it, might make yet even a larger mess!

[Waksupi]

I had a rifle brought to me with this problem. I have a CO2 discharger, so I loaded another patched ball down the bore to make a seal, and blew both out easily.

[Kary]

I had a rifle brought to me with this problem. I have a CO2 discharger, so I loaded another patched ball down the bore to make a seal, and blew both out easily.

Dang, why didn’t I think of that one? Good idea!

[Craig Wilcox]

I am itching to see if the OP got the ball out, and if so - HOW?
Lots of excellent ideas here, which I will keep in mind should it ever happen (again) to me.

Was going to mention one I repaired with TWO bullets in the barrel, but that was with modern weapons.

[Born200years2late]

Wow- I should’ve come back in and thanked all the suggestions- I did get the ball out. I tried an air compressor which did not work but I was able to get just enough powder behind the ball to keep nudge it forward a few mm then push more powder through the vent to drive the ball out. The ball was stripped all the way through but only a pinhole through the back side so it was able to be thrown out by the powder.
Quick tip I’ve since learned for anyone following- modern ball pullers are awful. The screw has parallel sides so doesn’t really drive into the ball well and doesn’t progressively grip the lead. The older wedge style screws are way better and don’t strip the ball as frequently and even when they do you can usually get the ball on the second go.

Side note/ If anyone knows folks forging ball pullers/ball screws in the period style please let me know. There’s a contingent of younger authentic guys I run with here in Texas and we’re always looking for period stuff- right now the only forged ones (as opposed to turned like Callahan makes) are from cabin creek- would love to find others making them! (Pic for reference of the Cabin Creek puller- unfortunately only sold as a set)

[alacran]

A compressor does not have sufficient PSI to discharge a stuck ball. I would spend my money on a CO2 ball discharger. I have discharged many balls for other shooters way more than I have for myself. I have never liked the idea of pulling a ball.

[Pukka Bundook]

Speaking of ball pullers;

I saw this puller in the butt trap of  an original Tusco-Emilian  snapping matchlock of C 1525.
It has a horn collar just behind the screw part, to keep the puller central in the bore.
I thought it a very good idea, and made a copy when I copied the said gun.

Horn is wonderful stuff and will not mark the bore.

Best,
Rich.

[EC121]

Track of the Wolf sells tapered pullers with a bore guide for centering.  They have deep threads for a good grip .  If one pulls out you can either screw it a little deeper or go up a caliber and remove the guide to get a larger screw.

[P.W.Berkuta]

The first thing I do when I run across a stuck ball is to clean the bore of any following in front of the ball. Then run a lightly oiled patch down the bore.
I make my own screw ball pullers from a course sheet rock screw and a brass collar to center the screw. The screw is silver BRAZED not soldered to the brass collar. It is then screwed onto my STEEL range rod. I never failed to remove a stuck ball. I also carry with me on a woods walk a CO-2 discharger and two extra CO-2 cylinders - just in case .  Like the Boy Scout's motto - always be prepared.