Nephew brought me a old Mossberg .22 auto-loader today with a chalenge. The string is broke off just below flush with the muzzle. Nothing to get a hold of.

I don't feel like working it today, so I gave it a good squirt of Kroil and let it sit while I think about it.

I decided to let you folks think about too :) . I just as well share the chalenge.

This is the first "bad thing" that I've seen regarding bore snakes. Has anyone else ran into this?

Cheezywan

Normally you'd have to run a brass rod of bore diameter in from the chamber end and just tap it out. I don't know how the barrel on the Mossberg is fastened, but if it's pinned you may be able to dissemble it. Look up Numrich Arms and see if they have an assembly diagram for that model.

Another idea is to use a brass screw a couple of inches long smaller than bore diameter and screw that into the snake and try pulling it out.

Your right this is a challenge and good luck with getting it out.

Take a ram rod with a 22 wire brush. Hold the gun barrel down so the string hangs down. Insert the brush into the barrel twisting it. The brush should pick up the string. A .17 brush may work better. The trick is to wrap the string up into the brush and then remove it.

Frank

You can't just push it with a cleaning rod from the muzzle end into the breech, and grab it thru the loading port with a long-nose pliers?

You can't just push it with a cleaning rod from the muzzle end into the breech, and grab it thru the loading port with a long-nose pliers?
that's like trying to push a chain, it'll just wad up in the barrel.
I like Bob's idea, try the screw.

I got it on the bench. It is a Mossberg 353 that I have worked most of my life. "Brother of another mother" has past it on to his two sons. Good boys, both of them call me "uncle" or "sir".

I can get hold of the muzzle end of the string with surgical "pliers". Not enough "traction" to pull with those. I have some brass screws that are 2" inch long. Is that what you are suggesting that I use to "snag" the string? I a'm fearful that I will cut it shorter than it already is with that method? More Kroil and thought for tonight.

The bore snake was a gift from me! Several years ago. I was getting tired of always having to clean and maintain this rifle! No way to easy clean from the breech. It seems that I have bitten myself in the butt this time?

Thanks for your ideas.

Cheezywan

make sure they are real brass screws and not brass plated :eek: can you start to twist the end around the forceps to get a bite?

Got it! A little "team effort" with my son. We had the barreled action in the cradle on the picnic table so we could work both ends. My son pulled with the surgical pliers(as much as they would hold), while I pushed a oil soaked patch on the end of a jag from the breech. It moved enough to get a hold of good rope with pliers and pull it on through. Whew!

It was not as bad as I thought it might be. I had visions of rebore/rechamber to 257 Roberts there for awhile :eek: .
I need to add that the barrel is very clean after this. I'm going to make the action the same before in leaves here.

I gifted me amigo(brother from another mother) this snake near three years ago so that I would not have to do the 'maintain thing'' so often.
No "flames" on the boresnake either. I think it is a very good idea/product. I "suspect" that it was abraided at the muzzle by a non-straight-line pull? Or perhaps it was just wore out?

Thank for your support ladies and gentlemen. I felt some fear when this started.

Cheezywan

I got a loaded round stuck in the chamber of my 223 once, then proceeded to stick a welding rod between the case neck and bullet, I can identify with the scared feeling :D

Glad to hear it came out ok. Always fun to me to read of the strange little mistakes/accidents/quirts we get into once in a while. Again glad you got it.

Bought a Mini 14 about 30 years ago, sprayed it down with a new teflon spray I had heard was so great. put it away and forgot it, let it dry for several days and the bolt was so stuck I finally whacked it with a rubber hammer to jar it loose. Really had me worried I had ruined a new gun. But it worked out OK and the action worked like a champ there after. Never did use that teflon spray stuff on a firearm after than one.