I know some of you are black powder folks, so I'm hoping you can help a friend of ours. He was hunting pheasants with a group of other hunters. He was using a black powder shotgun-apparently there is such a thing. He shot at the same time some of the others did, and didn't realize that only his primer had fired. So he started to reload by putting another pre-rolled powder cartridge down the barrel and rodding it in. Realizing it seemed to be stuck, he really rodded it. That's when he realized there was still a charge in it. I hope I'm using, if not the proper terms, at least terms that make sense to you. Now the problem is what to do. The only additional information I have is that the gun has steel shot, and there's a very small hole at the stock (back) end of the gun. The friend is very new at black powder, and we know nothing about it. So far the best idea we've had is to try putting compressed air in through that little hole. But we're worried that something might spark and we don't know if compressing the powder or forcing one cartridge into the next might also cause something to ignite. Any ideas? Gerbil (new address)

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@shymail.com), November 22, 2000

Answers

I would suggest that he take it to a gunsmith, as it will probally entail reaming out the load from the barrel, which can be extremly dangerous if not done by a professional. Black powder is very unstable.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 22, 2000.

My $2. worth! Take out the breech plug [if this'n has one] and remove the load that way. If it doesn't have the breech plug then a rod with a corkscrew type thingy is used to remove the load from the end. The nipple can also be removed to help remove some powder from the first charge. As with all things--Keep that barrell pointed away from anybody while workin on it. Compressed air will not help any in this case. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), November 22, 2000.

I would definitely have a chat with an experienced gunsmith. From what I've read the gun should first be soaked in water, before messing with it at all. Hopefully this will wet your powder and prevent an accident. The problem is that this is the method for having a stuck charge. I haven't ever read anything about what to do if you have one charge stuck on top of another. I would be afraid that the water wouldn't wet the powder all the way through. That is why I think your friend should head for the nearest gun store. Your friend really needs to anyway, as no one should use any gun without understanding all the things that go with it. This is a common problem with black powder and your friend should know what to do in any case. he needs to find someone familiar with the use of a black powder weapon and have some lessons.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@calinet.com), November 22, 2000.

atatch the screw to the rod,,,, get out as much as possible, then clean the heck out of it

-- STAN (sopal@net-port.com), November 22, 2000.

This is not uncommon and not hard to fix. However, unless you kinda know what you are doing, it is probably best to have someone else fix it. DO NOT take it to a retail store, take it to a gunsmith. Should not take over a minute or so and not cost much. Have your friend watch and he can then do it himself. Thankfully he did not fire the gun - several things can happen - all bad.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), November 22, 2000.

I used to shoot black-powder. This isn't very common, but most shooters learn how to deal with it sooner or later. 1st, your friend should know how far his rod will go down the barrel of an unloaded weapon. This will keep him from double-packing a load. 2nd, he needs to get ...darned if I can't remember the name of the jig, well, anyway, theres a jig made to go onto the end of his ramrod which can be used to pull a ball or wad of shot out of the barrel. It's a cheap item, so if he doesn't have one, any other shooter (or shop) should have one.

Pulling out the nipple isn't really a viable way to unload the barrel, nor is trying to shoot it out with a new cap. I wouldn't worry about the compressed air igniting the powder, but the pressure needed to blow out two loads would be about the same as trying to shoot it off. In fact, this was an old way of "testing" new guns to see if they could take the abuse...not recommended anymore.

-- Chris Stogdill (cstogdill@rmci.net), November 22, 2000.

Double loading is uncommon, but the same technique used to unload a smoke pole without firing is used. That technique is common and any gunsmith can show you. I think the jig you are reffering to may be called a jag. For sure Hoot is correct, it is a "corkscrew type thingy". :>)

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), November 22, 2000.

I placed the question with my brother, an avid shooter of guns of all sorts. This is his response.

The problem of placing a second load in one barrel is fairly common. In my last double barrel I had to be very careful when hunting crows to make sure I loaded the correct barrel. If I dumped in a charge of powder I always placed a new wad in barrel so I wouldn't put in an other charge of powder.

Since this man is new to shotguns he may not know that he needs a Ram Rod with a screw tip and also one with what they call Worm (small wire like fingers).

I would suggest that he lower the hammer down onto nipples. Then using the Screw Tip he needs to remove the over shot card. Pour out the shot. Now go back into the barrel and remove the wad. Keep working at this until he gets the wad out. Pour out the powder. Then pull the next over shot card, pour out the shot, go back in after the wads, then try to pour out the remaining powder. Then check to see if barrel is empty. If he is satisfied it is clear try to fire it in safe area. Snap a couple of caps.

Clean it out really good and get it ready for next trip afield.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), November 23, 2000.

Your friend needs to get a cleaning jag that will fit on the end of his ramrod.If he has steel shot down the barrel he first needs to pour water down the barrel to ensure he doesn't have a accidental ignition down the barrel .Then insert the cleaning jag down the barrel ,twist it and start pulling out debris.Repeat this process till it is cleaned out.Then rinse with water dry swab and use a LITE coating of patch lube followed by another dry swab.The 2 major causes for misfires are oil fowling and water fowling, in short the breach has too much moisture causing the powder to fail.This is a simple and safe process that I have done many times.Tell your Buddy he doesn't have to waste alot of money on lubes and cleaners.tell him to clean with hot water and dry it out well then use a little shortening for lube.I have 6 front stuffers that are cleaned this way and they are all in fine working order.If someone tells him that this method of cleaning will wreck his gun tell him that all guns in museums were cleaned this way although they used alot of animal fat instead of shortening. well good luck and Email me if he needs any help. Jim AKA Flintlock

-- Jim (flintlock99@aol.com), November 25, 2000.

Thanks everyone for all your help. I printed off your information and my husband got it to him yesterday. Now we'll see what happens.... Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@shymail.com), November 29, 2000.