Idiot Jams Patch In Muzzle Brake

[michaelnel]

So... this has not been a great day. Lousy day at the range, came home, wanted to clean the rifle. It's a 6mm Dasher with a Bartlien barrel and what appears to be a Harrell's muzzle brake. First wet patch through the bore stuck way down by the muzzle. Pushing harder on the rod resulted in the PH jag losing the patch, leaving it in the bore.

I have tried numerous ways to get that patch out. It seems to be jammed right around where the crown meets the brake, in fact I can see black threads of it through the two sets of holes in the brake that are closest to the crown.

It looks like if I can screw that brake off, I can clear up the mess. How do you screw those brakes off? Put some kind of rod through the holes? Grip it with a thick leather insulator like a piece of belt to protect the finish and use channel locks? Mind you, I have not done any of these things, just wondering out loud. I am sure there is some recommended way to screw them off, I just don't know what it is. Seems like you might want to remove it periodically to clean the carbon out anyway.

Can you help me before I do some damage?

Thanks!

 

[LitLBoy]

Welcome to the club, sooner or later we have all done it. If it will unscrew that is the easy way out.
LitLBoy

 

[jonbearman]

A rod through should work unless he tightened it really tight then I would pad a vise and mount the brake in the jaws and take my barrel vice and clamp to the barrel and use a big crescent wrench to turn the barrel.

 

[michaelnel]

I got it out without resorting to WMD.

I have to learn that when a patch stops, applying more pressure is NOT the solution. ;-)

 

[hogpatrol]

I keep a dental pick in my cleaning box for just such an event. You can CAREFULLY fish it through the vents and wiggle the patch enough to free it.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Just use a pin punch or any other tool that that fits the holes. Break it loose. I remove them every time I clean.

 

[Dans40X]

A cleaning rod/jag LONG enough to clear the end of the brake will eliminate any STUCK patches.....also!!!

 

[ridgeway]

Harrels Brake? Holes are 3/16. Use a punch that fits the holes perfect like mentioned above or a 3/16 drill bit. I use the smooth shank end of the bit. If tight, make sure you wrap a rag around the drill point so you don't cut your hand.

Definitely take it off to remove the patch. Do not try to ram it out while still in the barrel. You may end up deflecting the rod and crown damage may happen.

Usually sticking a patch in a brake comes from trying to pull it back through the brake or stopping in the middle. Make sure you push all the way though when cleaning or take it off. I usually take mine off when at home and keep it on when cleaning at a match. I make sure the patch is all the way through and drops off the jag.

 

[tmwinds]

If you removed the brake, clean the threads and use a little grease on them before reinstalling. Don't over tighten, just snug plus a little jerk.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

tmwind
That wasn't nice. He already feels like a little jerk.

If you are going to be removing and re-installing that brake often making a little spanner wrench with the right size pin will serve you very well. I wouldn't use a cleaning rod for that job. Why mess up a good cleaning rod?

 

[chuckbuster243]

I wedged one not to long ago and if I tried to push it out from either direction it would stick. I got the the air hose out and shot a quick shot down the bore and it popped right out. I got lucky I guess. But soon after this I saw a patch puller worm for a blackpowder rifle and may try and modify it to work for this type thing. It happens to everyone. Just have to smile and take it sometimes. Matt

 

[RW]

I also use a Phillips screw driver that is slightly smaller than the holes in the brake and it provides a handle to help turn, RW

 

[tonysnoo]

I would suggest setting up to remove brake each time you clean. It's amazing how much carbon builds up on/around the crown. The brake also gets some sort of metallic buildup inside its bore and may need some attention while it's off the barrel.

 

[ridgeway]

The brake also gets some sort of metallic buildup inside its bore and may need some attention while it's off the barrel.

What kind of metallic are you referring to? Copper? If that's the case, you have a brake that is not properly installed and the bullet is contacting it. I can't think of anything metallic that would build up other than copper or burrs left behind during machining.

 

[fdshuster]

I've always removed the muzzle brake before cleaning the barrel. Brake is cleaned as a seperate part.

A rubber strap wrench ( the kind that is used to remove a tight screw-on cap) works fine and does not leave any markings on the brake.

 

[people]

A little tip is have your smith scribe a whiteness mark on the barrel and brake if you cannot. Then when you take it off getting it to the same spot is very easy when putting back.

 

[michaelnel]

I got the brake off this morning using the shaft of a phillips screwdriver that fit the holes closely. It was pretty filthy. I ran it for 1/2 hour in my ultrasonic cleaner and it cleaned it up perfectly. Cleaned the muzzle threads and crown, put grease on the threads, and put it back on.

Thanks for all the help, guys!