Author Topic: Stuck .375H&H in barrel; extractor bent; case rim broken (Read 713 times)

kgillard · « **on:** December 03, 2005, 03:40:10 PM »

Well, went out to shoot today and after about the sixth round, I put a live cartridge in the barrel and tried to shut it. It almost shut, but didn't. I had to exerte a fair amount of pressure to re-break the T/C Encore open, but the extractor just ate the case rim right off. It was then that I noticed the extractor appearing to be bent.

The breech and live .375H&H is sitting in penetrating oil so that I can kill the primer before attempting removal. Tried to knock it out from the muzzle, but its really stuck. Anyone else have a similar experience?

These are reloads that were neck sized only. However, they should fit easily, I would assume. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Karl

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2005, 01:17:27 AM »

I would use some lube down the barrel and let it penetrate. Then I would use a cleaning rod and try a tap it out.

What may of happened is, the shoulder of the 375 H&H was too big and needs to be bumped back. That is why I full length resize my rounds, also it could be your case length.

Gitzit · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2005, 10:22:29 AM »

Rounds fired in the Encore and Contender should always be full length resized to prevent this very thing. The Encore and Contender lack the camming ability of a bolt action to close or extract a tight case. Mike B goes into detail on his site as to the hows and whys of this.

southern utah · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2005, 10:46:01 AM »

I have used a wooden dowel to drive out a sqwib bullet( no powder ) . It didn't damage the barrel . Another possibility would be to put the barrel in the freezer for a few days ( I was told 3 days but don't ask me why) and then heat the barrel with a hair dryer of heat gun ( from side of barrel only). This should expand the barrel enough to drive the bullet out easily. Remember to not have the muzzle aimed at anything you don't want to destroy.

kgillard · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2005, 11:12:05 AM »

Well, I've got penetrating oil in the barrel and also soaking the primer. Not that I'm going to strike the primer, but I'd prefer to be on the safest side possible. I'm hoping to drive the bullet into the case and then soak the powder with oil, then I can rest a little. Might end up trying your idea southern utah if all else fails.

Anyway, my thanks to you all for the info. I'll let you know how it comes out (no pun intended).

Karl

reelhook · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2005, 03:07:00 PM »

Do your self a favor and NOT count on oil to cause the primer not to fire. Modern primers are very residual .

kgillard · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2005, 04:30:32 PM »

Thanks for the advice Reelhook! I never count on anything when dealing with live ammo. But it never hurts to hear it again and again and again.
Karl

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2005, 05:50:50 PM »

Did you get the stuck case out yet?

kgillard · « **Reply #8 on:** December 06, 2005, 08:27:54 AM »

Afternoon Redhawk,
Naw, tried beating it out with a 5/16" aluminum rod, but the rod bent. That case is well stuck. I could possibly drill thru the case near the rim with a 1/16" bit, but I hate playing with the powder. Hopefully, some of the penetrating oil that I sprayed in the barrel has gotten to the powder. Good thing about brass...it probably won't spark, but that's kinda like playing with fire and will be my ultimate last choice.
I might even try forcing the rifle to close and go ahead and try to shoot it. Once the primer is inactive, I won't worry as much. However, still open for suggestions...............
Karl

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 06, 2005, 10:10:51 AM »

Have you tried a local gunsmith?

kgillard · « **Reply #10 on:** December 06, 2005, 11:31:10 AM »

Guess that'll be the last resort.....and probably the most sensible.

5Redman8 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2005, 04:51:57 AM »

Get some freon and freeze the breech. The difference in shrinking rate of steel and brass will allow the case to fall out or to be pushed out gently.

Kyle

kgillard · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2005, 04:50:21 AM »

Thanks Kyle,
That'll be my next step. I stuck it in the freezer last night for a couple days and will try the hair dryer. If that doesn't work, I'll try the freon. If that doesn't work...to the gunsmith we go! If that doesn't work, I'm throwing the darn thing in the river and getting a new one.......
Karl

kgillard · « **Reply #13 on:** December 10, 2005, 11:06:42 AM »

Well, its finally out. I took the gun out of the freezer and as I was heating up the barrel, the primer fell out. That worked for me... Anyway, I filled the casing with penetrating oil and then felt comfortable. I tried in vain to knock it out with a 5/16 aluminum rod, as it just bent after several whacks with the hammer.

So, after frustration set in, I decided to visit a gunsmith. He fooled around with it for a moment and after several failed attempts to remove it from the breech end, he stuck a steel rod down the barrel. About three good whacks from a large hammer and it flew out.

Examination of the brass revealed some pretty good scratches caused by roughness in the breech. We slightly honed and polished the breech and now the cartridges feed just right...new ones that is. The ones I only neck sized still seem to stick a little just as the belt enters the breech. However, I have full length dies and a case trimmer on the way. Hopefully I'll have ammo loaded for my Texas hunting trip at the end of the month.

Again, thanks to all of you for suggestions and possible remedies. Its always good to know someone's out there to offer help.

Karl

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 10, 2005, 07:22:53 PM »

kgillard, glad to hear you got it out. Good luck and let us know how it works out for you.