Shell Separation

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kjorgy
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Shell Separation

Post by kjorgy »

I have a Marlin 1894 44-40 old model 399xxx. I had a shell separation yesterday. the rim came completely off & the rest of the shell is still in the chamber. I have had this in the
past & used a shot gun bore brush with stiff bristles going into the chamber & removing the brass. This did not work this time. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
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AJMD429
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by AJMD429 »

The most important thing I learned the hard way (several times actually... :oops: ) was that in a situation like yours the best (and most difficult) thing to do is - NOTHING.

Wait and think and ask and compare....THEN so something.

....so you’re way ahead of me, already...and you haven’t even done anything yet... 8)

I believe folks who haven’t buggered up their gun will chime in with a half-dozen GOOD solutions and you’ll find one perfect for your needs.

I’d offer a solution but haven’t had that problem so I’ll keep my trap shut so’s I don’t mess you up worse.
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by piller »

D. Brian Casady
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Nate Kiowa Jones
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by Nate Kiowa Jones »

kjorgy wrote: Sun May 16, 2021 8:28 pm I have a Marlin 1894 44-40 old model 399xxx. I had a shell separation yesterday. the rim came completely off & the rest of the shell is still in the chamber. I have had this in the
past & used a shot gun bore brush with stiff bristles going into the chamber & removing the brass. This did not work this time. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
The best way to do this without scarring up the chamber is with some,
CERROSAFE® CHAMBER CASTING ALLOY

Plug the bore just in front of the chamber. It melts between 158° - 190°f. Melt the cerrosafe and pour it in. It will melt using cigar light.
I made a ladel to melt it in from a 50 BMG case but smaller 3006 cases will do.

It sets fast gradding the stuck brass, then use a brass rod to push it out.You can melt it and use it repeatedly.
Steve Young aka Nate Kiowa Jones Sass# 6765

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Lampasas, Texas 76550


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GunnyMack
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by GunnyMack »

As I mentioned on the 'bulge barrel' post, try the freezer overnight. Different metals expand/ contract at different rates. Freeze it and that case may fall out with gravity or with an oversized brush. Cerrosafe is a good option also. ive seen chamber reamers used to cut the case out also. Not everyone has a reamer handy,
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by piller »

On the midway link, the general gunsmithing link, page 2 has video of what NKJ describes. I don't have pictures, but I used that method once for a .30-06 case stuck in a resizing die. It works. I didn't lube the case. Stupid mistake. I let myself get distracted.
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Sixgun
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by Sixgun »

Use a brush that's just a bit bigger than the ID of the case....you claim your using a shotgun brush....well, the only thing your doing is pushing out a brush where the bristles are bent and will stay that way...bent backwards, the way you shoved it into the case.....the idea is to use bristles that are a tad more in diameter so they will "bite" in their push backwards....

Put the rod down the bore THEN screw on the brush from the chamber area......sometimes a brush can only be used once or twice before it gets "weak"...you want a NEW brush and have everything degreased.

If that don't work Nate said it right by using cerosafe.....or.....only if your careful.....soak a patch in epoxy and using a pair of tweezers insert the patch through the chamber and into the case.......wait a day and pop it out with a rod...I've done that several times.......get a light and pre-grease the area in the chamber where there is no case.

Or.....buy a stuck case remover

Then......learn how to set your sizing die and keep your loads normal .....this will work even with guns that have mild excessive headspace. Trash all previous fired brass that came from that gun....-------006
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jeepnik
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by jeepnik »

Broken shell extractor.

https://pacifictoolandgauge.com/misc-gu ... ber-44_cal

I sort of shiver every time someone mentions broken shells. Darned near got me killed once.
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Machado
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by Machado »

I use two methods: a Neanderthal method and a semi-civilized one.
The Neanderthal method involves a hardcast, unsized .44 bullet, a dowel or brass rod, and a mallet.
Drive the hardcast bullest without lube down the barrel using dowel or rod, and mallet.
Bullet will come out of the breech pushing case remainders out.
The second method involves making a tool like this and snagging the split case from the breech:
Split case removal tool (1).jpg
Split case removal tool (1).jpg
Split case removal tool (3).jpg
Split case removal tool (4).jpg
Split case removal tool (5).jpg
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1894cfan
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by 1894cfan »

jeepnik wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 3:40 pm Broken shell extractor.



I sort of shiver every time someone mentions broken shells. Darned near got me killed once.
Please explain, love to hear the story.
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jeepnik
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by jeepnik »

1894cfan wrote: Tue May 18, 2021 11:29 am
jeepnik wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 3:40 pm Broken shell extractor.



I sort of shiver every time someone mentions broken shells. Darned near got me killed once.
Please explain, love to hear the story.
I've told it before. M-16 tore off the end of a shell leaving the body in the chamber. Then tried to stuff another round in the chamber. This happened at a most inopportune time. I thank Mr. Browning regularly for his inventive genius. Dumped the M-16 and found an M-14 and went on happily thereafter.
Jeepnik AKA "Old Eyes"
"Go low, go slow and preferably in the dark" The old Sarge (he was maybe 24.
"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
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Bill in Oregon
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Nate/Steve: Thank you so much for that tip. I keep Cerrosafe on the reloading bench, but never thought to use it to extract a broken shell. Genius! 8)
1894cfan
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by 1894cfan »

I sort of shiver every time someone mentions broken shells. Darned near got me killed once.
[/quote]

Please explain, love to hear the story.
[/quote]

I've told it before. M-16 tore off the end of a shell leaving the body in the chamber. Then tried to stuff another round in the chamber. This happened at a most inopportune time. I thank Mr. Browning regularly for his inventive genius. Dumped the M-16 and found an M-14 and went on happily thereafter.
[/quote]

Good choice! 30 carbine second best choice if available.
1894cfan
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by 1894cfan »

1894cfan wrote: Wed May 19, 2021 2:03 pm I sort of shiver every time someone mentions broken shells. Darned near got me killed once.
Please explain, love to hear the story.
[/quote]

I've told it before. M-16 tore off the end of a shell leaving the body in the chamber. Then tried to stuff another round in the chamber. This happened at a most inopportune time. I thank Mr. Browning regularly for his inventive genius. Dumped the M-16 and found an M-14 and went on happily thereafter.
[/quote]

Good choice! 30 carbine second best choice if available. Brother carried 30 carbine for a while when he was in 'Nam.
piller
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by piller »

Used to have a broken shell extractor as part of the T.O.&E. Kit in the M60 spare barrel bag.
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jeepnik
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Re: Shell Separation

Post by jeepnik »

I understand they eventually came up with one in 5.56. Makes me think it wasn’t all that uncommon.
Jeepnik AKA "Old Eyes"
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"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
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