Got in today a CZ550 in 6.5×55 Swede. Customer has a Dewey cleaning rod stuck in the barrel. Was cleaning from the chamber end with a jag and patch when it got tight so he pounded on it to get it through. Now it won’t budge. The tip of the jag is about 9″ in from the chamber. Have tried a wooden dowel and another cleaning rod of a bit smaller diameter from the muzzle end, tapping, and nothing will dislodge the stuck rod. Have loaded it with Kroil, no help. Have clamped vise grips on the handle-end of the cleaning rod and beat on the vise grips, won’t budge the rod. Have tried heating and cooling. Any and all suggestions short of cutting off the rod and making it a wall hanger would be appreciated.
If the cleaning rod is that tight, can you turn it off the jag?
Answer
In this case , I would look at using a .250 (1/4 in ) aluminum rod that has been center drilled on the end and a BIG hammer . Another thing to try is a hydraulic press to push it out.
Answer
The Dewey rods are coated steel. If it was aluminum you could re-blue the barreled action and the salts would eat the rod and patch etc. and you could then probably remove the remains. With a steel rod the coating may get eaten off and the patch as well but not sure enough of it would be gone to make it worth the effort. Just thinking out loud. Ken
Reply
Finally got it out. Used 1/4″ steel rod and 4 lb sledge. Thanks for all the help.
Answer
I’d suggest against wood dowel. If it splinters inside the barrel, you will have added headache you don’t need. It does happen. A brass or aluminum rod is better. Drive it in the reverse direction; if the jag got stuck going from breech to muzzle, then pound it from muzzle to breech. Chemical is an option. Jag is made of brass. Copper cleaning solvent will reduce it given time. –TL