I own a chronograph, but I certainly don't use it for every time I go to the range to shoot. Seems unnecessary to run every shot across the chronograph and in over 50 years shooting I've not done so.
38 special schofield freak accident
- Thread starter lougotzzz
- Start date
I own a chronograph, but I certainly don't use it for every time I go to the range to shoot. Seems unnecessary to run every shot across the chronograph and in over 50 years shooting I've not done so.
Sure, light loads work well in the .38 spl with LEAD bullets, not plated or jacketed.
OP if the barrel isn't bulged you might be able to take the gun apart and pull the bullets from the rear. Drill a hole in the base of the bullets and take a piece of threaded rod, screw it in the hole, clamp the rod in a vise and pull on the barrel. A muzzle loader bullet puller might work. I've had to pull conical bullets from muzzle loading rifles before because I let fouling build up and was unable to fully seat a bullet. Might save a bunch of money if you succeed.
Don't feel bad lougotzzz...you learned something and the only pain was in your wallet. When compared to some of the alternatives I'd say you came out ahead.
If it helps any, here is a .32-20 barrel with 14 bullets stuck in it. Whoever did this one had to reload 3 times in order to do the deed. At least you stopped with 6.
If it helps any, here is a .32-20 barrel with 14 bullets stuck in it. Whoever did this one had to reload 3 times in order to do the deed. At least you stopped with 6.
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If the barrel truly isn't bulged I would certainly try to pull the bullets out of the bore before I just went and replaced the barrel. I wouldn't try to press them out, I don't believe that would be successful. Secure the barrel in a padded vice so you don't chew it up, get yourself a dent puller and have at it. I would make a brass or aluminum drill guide and insert it in the bore to assure I didn't damage the bore when I drilled a small hole in the base of the bullet. Screw the dent puller in and you should be able to pull the bullets out, it's worth a try.
FWIW, I used Clays for many yrs as a Shotgun powder and had no issues with it as far as metering/dropping correct loads in my MEC 9000 progressive. This was the orig Australian mfg CLAYS powder.
That factory went out of production of CLAYS. After a time, Clays came back but mfg'd in Canada.
I then purchased the available Canadian mfg Clays expecting the same results.
But instead the powder did not drop/meter anywhere near consistant on the same machine.
Very often dropping lighter loads, sometimes Very light loads from the same bushing as used before with the older Clays.
Inconsistant drop was the best way to describe it. Some light enough to cause 'bloopers' in the 12ga shotshells. I had never had that before using the orig Austarlian mfg Clays for many yrs prior.
I stopped using that one and only 8# jug of the Canadian produced Clays I had purchased at that point and switched to another powder for my 12ga loads and not looked back.
That jug of Canada Clays is still on the shelf with only 50rds loaded from it (one session). Less than 1 box fired from that and the rest were taken down.
If your data is Published & tells you 3.1gr is max and you are set to drop 2.9gr., and 2.9gr is actually being deposited into the case and ignited,,it should drive the bullet from a 5" bbl.
I would look into getting the bbl cleared of the stuck bullets and see what the bore looks like before spending what they want for the replacement.
If it's junk, so what, then you need a new bbl any way.
With a 38spcl bore, the orig could likely be re-lined back to 38spcl bore for a lot less than $700 if you need a new 'barrel'.
Check with John Taylor at Taylor Machine
3530 13th Street C, Lewiston, ID 83501
253-777-7793.
(He won't answ any calls or do any work on Sundays)
He does have a web-site w/ email link but I can't access it right now for some reason
See what he can do and prices. He does excellent work and very fair prices.
I've had him do work for me in the past and he is very well respected on the rifle, gunsmithing forums for his bbl and gunsmithing work.
That factory went out of production of CLAYS. After a time, Clays came back but mfg'd in Canada.
I then purchased the available Canadian mfg Clays expecting the same results.
But instead the powder did not drop/meter anywhere near consistant on the same machine.
Very often dropping lighter loads, sometimes Very light loads from the same bushing as used before with the older Clays.
Inconsistant drop was the best way to describe it. Some light enough to cause 'bloopers' in the 12ga shotshells. I had never had that before using the orig Austarlian mfg Clays for many yrs prior.
I stopped using that one and only 8# jug of the Canadian produced Clays I had purchased at that point and switched to another powder for my 12ga loads and not looked back.
That jug of Canada Clays is still on the shelf with only 50rds loaded from it (one session). Less than 1 box fired from that and the rest were taken down.
If your data is Published & tells you 3.1gr is max and you are set to drop 2.9gr., and 2.9gr is actually being deposited into the case and ignited,,it should drive the bullet from a 5" bbl.
I would look into getting the bbl cleared of the stuck bullets and see what the bore looks like before spending what they want for the replacement.
If it's junk, so what, then you need a new bbl any way.
With a 38spcl bore, the orig could likely be re-lined back to 38spcl bore for a lot less than $700 if you need a new 'barrel'.
Check with John Taylor at Taylor Machine
3530 13th Street C, Lewiston, ID 83501
253-777-7793.
(He won't answ any calls or do any work on Sundays)
He does have a web-site w/ email link but I can't access it right now for some reason
See what he can do and prices. He does excellent work and very fair prices.
I've had him do work for me in the past and he is very well respected on the rifle, gunsmithing forums for his bbl and gunsmithing work.
I once had a Colt SAA 357 brought to me...had 3 bullets in the bbl. ...We didn't know till we got the first out. Flat nosed bullets Drilled holes through the center of all bullets. first was at the muzzle...came right out...drilled about 2/3s of the bullet centers out and the rest came out with fairly gentle tapping with an oak dowell rod. No bulged bbl. We put it back in service the next day. The gun had another problem too. It would pierce a primer in 357 loads every now and then. That's why he shot light 38 loads in the old Colt
dsf
Member
I read the other posts and your responses. Unless I misunderstood - why buy a new barrel? No bulge, I'd clear the obstruction and give it a try.
I can't speak to how to get the stuck bullets from the bore.
FWIW I have experience with Uberti's customer service and the Schofield. Not good. The hammer block on mine didn't drop correctly, went back and forth to Maryland a few times pronounced "OK" and it never was. They finally declared "can't be repaired" and made some sort of outrageous offer - would sell me a new gun for "dealer discount".
Again, I'd clear the barrel and if it runs, great. If it runs but you have a sour taste about it, sell the thing.
pantannojack
US Veteran
I have loaded 231 in 38 spcl, 9mm P, 45 acp, and reduced 41 mag many years. always std primers and cast lead. Never anything out of ordinary, but recently in 45 colt I had a squib with std primer and 217 g round nose lead from a Lee mold designed for Ruger Old Army dropping ,456 dia. I sized to .452 lubed with 50/50 Alox & bees wax. One of a few rounds went soft booom-KaWamm. I had to remove the cylinder from the Uberti and tap the brass out with the base pin. I phoned, I think the Hodgdon site, and a tech said they always use mag primer with 231 because it is a ball powder. I believe that might indicate a 1g reduction. 45 colt is a large air space cartridge, so I will never use 231 in 45 colt again. I am happier with Red Dot in this cartridge.
CactusCapt
Member
5/16" brass rod, a hammer, some Kroil or PB Blaster and a vise with jaw protectors. Let the penetrating oil sit overnight and have at it. Best case is you get the bore clear with no damage. It can take a bit of work to get the bullet(s) out, and to be honest I've only ever done it with one bullet rather than six. Also, a machine shop or gunsmith might be able to drill out most of the bullet cores, allowing the remainder of the bullets to be tapped out. Worst case is you already know what it will cost you if it doesn't work.
DWalt
Member
How about melting out the bullets? I did that once with a rifle.
I got a few ideas from this thread. I am going to try and remove the bullets again. I thank you all for your input. To say I am pissed off is an understatement. Not only because it's a new gun but because I did it. I am shooting for 38 years. Stupid mistake and bad circumstances.
Squarebutt
Member
If it were mine I'd swallow my pride and invest in an hour of a gunsmith's time. He'll have the tools to do it right without damaging the muzzle or the bore. He could also mike the barrel to be sure it isn't bulged, and give the gun the once-over for any other issues. Good luck.
Just my thought..as stated above yes you could melt the bullets out...with a caveat. I also removed 2 30 ca; bullets from a 788 30-30's bore. I made a couple of bore guides and drilled the bullets first with a less than 1/4 inch bit. The first bullet was easy after drilling heated the last 2 inches pretty warm and the bullet literally fell out . the second I heated after drilling and drove it about 12 inches with a brass rod.You may need to ake 2 or 3 drillinng guides The bore was scratched from the owner driving a cleaning rod down the bore...but after a bit of bore lapping it shot really well. 700 bucks to replace the bbl? How much does an Uberti cost these days??
Chubbs103
US Veteran
According to Handloader magazine:
Colt .357 SAAs sometimes got the wrong recoil plate installed when being made. Colt originally used recoil plates with a firing pin opening of .105" opening for standard calibers and .08" for .357 Mag. Sometimes they got mixed up.
At some point (3rd gen) they standardized to the small opening for all calibers.
DWalt
Member
Drilling say a 1/4" hole through the bullet column would make melting easier. I know I could do it but I have the equipment to keep the drill bit centered. And also long shank bits.
smoothshooter
Member
I have wanted a new Schofield for years. What has kept me from getting one is that they are such an unconventional design that if it ever needed work or a part finding a gunsmith willing to do the work, and the difficulty of getting parts is a deal-breaker with me.
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I had a machinist/ welder friend make me a long shanked drill rod to do that. He was an actual artist with that kind of work. Vietnam killed him...it just took 26 years to do it's job! Good friend...still miss him
socal s&w
Member
Hey, just listen to Yandor357, seems to have ALL the answers.
Super happy that all is okay with you other than the fix.
Super happy that all is okay with you other than the fix.
