Help..Cleaning brush stuck in bottom of barrel

[billjoe]

Never had this happen before, but I have a 2" long brush wrapped with paper towel stuck in the bottom of my TC 50 cal barrel.  The wire pulled out of of the screw on tip.  How can I get it out without unscrewing the breech?  How big a problem is it to take the breech off the barrel to access that end? and will there be any issues putting it back on so it lines up perfectly?
The brush is a 45 cal brush, so without the paper towel on it, it would fall right out of the barrel.  Any ideas on getting the towels off? I was cleaning with a hot water bath when this happened so the towels may be damp yet.
Any ideas?
bj

[roundball]

Never had this happen before, but I have a 2" long brush wrapped with paper towel stuck in the bottom of my TC 50 cal barrel.  The wire pulled out of of the screw on tip.  How can I get it out without unscrewing the breech?  How big a problem is it to take the breech off the barrel to access that end? and will there be any issues putting it back on so it lines up perfectly?
The brush is a 45 cal brush, so without the paper towel on it, it would fall right out of the barrel.  Any ideas on getting the towels off? I was cleaning with a hot water bath when this happened so the towels may be damp yet.
Any ideas?
bj

1) Remove the nipple (or vent liner) and take the barrel to a place that has an air compressor and ask them to try and blow it out...KEEP IT POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
2) Or, take the barrel to a hardware store and buy a length of thin walled metal or plastic tubing that will just fit into your bore...slide it all the way down past the bristles, it'll capture the brush inside, then just slide the tubing back out of the bore.
3) Only use bore brushes where the center twisted wire actually passes through the threaded adapter...never use the cheap crimped type.

[victorcharlie]

I know it's hard to believe but I had the same thing happen to me.......

I removed the nipple and cranked the air compressor up to 150 psi and the brush blew out with no problem......almost to simple......so I'm sure if it ever happens again I'll never be this lucky twice........give it a try and see if it works for you!

[Idaho Ron]

You can also use a CO2 ball remover. I bet it would make her fly out the end.   Ron

[lostid]

roundball and vc have the best advise,,High Pressure Air! a local auto repair will help ya.(Mills Fleet?)(be prepaired to be humble!)(put oil like heck down the bore first to lube the paper and make a seal!)
 Idaho Rons' idea of the co2 might work for ya,,but those things usually need a good tight seal made by a 'dry-balledl' patch-n-ball combo too work well and don't have the "volume" of air you may need.
luck too ya,,it might take a few days too dry the wet paper,,but you can "shoot it" out!! too.

[dodd3]

allways look for brushes that look like this you wont have any more probs.
bernie

[billjoe]

Thanks you guys for all the good advise.  I tried the air thing but my compressor isn't big enough and the air just blew around the brush.  I think the oil seal is a good idea... and more volume. My neighbor has a huge compressor that should do the job.  I tried the tube idea, but the paper prevents the tube from getting around the brush.  I think it would work if the paper wasn't on it.
The brush that came apart is Outers brand from Fleet Farm. Can't say I've ever had a problem with them before, but I'll be looking at a new brand now.  What if this would have happened in my other standard rifle barrels?? ouch.
Just a thought, maybe a little soldering on the brush would be a cheap fix for a cheap brush.
bj

[m-g Willy]

TAPE A FISH HOOK TO END OF RAM ROD WITH ABOUT 1/2" OF HOOK EXPOSED
SHOVE DOWN BARREL TILL HOOK CATCHES BRUSH
THEN PULL OUT

BTW--BEEN THERE ,  DONE THAT

Willy

[Birddog6]

The tip on the air hose makes a difference.  I bought one that has a rubber end on it for such things as this & it seals good to the nipple/vent hole......  LOTS of dif. and has made it easier to blow things out of holes.  Good seal means less pressure needed cause ALL of the air goes into the hole you are blowing out.   

[billjoe]

I was able to get the brush out using a coat hanger with a hook bent into the end. I wedged it between the wall and the brush and eventually got it hooked well enough to pull it out.  I couldn't get the air techinique to work.  The seal around the brush wasn't tight enough to provide enough pressure to blow it out the barrel.
Thanks for the tips guys.  The wire did the job for me.
bj