Bore Snake stuck in barrel - any experience getting one out

[JDHasty]

This morning I had a guy ask me if I knew a way to get a bore snake out of a barrel when the string has broken off. 

Heck, I don't have a clue.  I got a couple in a gift basket a few years ago and  have never used either one - that is one of the concerns I had regarding the thing and the other is that with me patches are like toilet paper, one pass and no more.   

This Bore Snake is 100% within the bore of the gun (204 Ruger) and there is no string to grab w/Vise Grip either.  So far there has been no resort to drill rod and mallet, which is what I was concerned about when first approached.   

[Henrydog]

I assume it is a bolt.  Remove the bolt and put .22 cleaning rod down the bore?

[NW-GSP]

My guess is that the wrong size bore snake was used.

[pianoman9701]

I assume it is a bolt.  Remove the bolt and put .22 cleaning rod down the bore?

Just make sure it's going in the same direction the bore snake is going.

[JDHasty]

I assume it is a bolt.  Remove the bolt and put .22 cleaning rod down the bore?

Just make sure it's going in the same direction the bore snake is going.

That was my inclination, just wasn't sure pushing on it, instead of pulling on it, wouldn't cause it to get tighter.  He says he has been using them for a while, so I assume it is the correct size. 

[bobcat]

A 22 caliber cleaning rod is too big for a 204 caliber rifle.

[Henrydog]

A 22 caliber cleaning rod is too big for a 204 caliber rifle.

You are correct.  I don't own anything smaller than .22, but they have to make cleaning rods for the .17's

[syoungs]

compressed air, with lubricant down the barrel, to blow it out?

[C-Money]

Wonder if a tool like a muzzleloader patch remover jag made small enough would work...to pierce it and yank it out...

[syoungs]

I would think that would be a hard part to source though. im not into airguns, but they might have something designed to pull stuck objects/pellets that's simmiliar?

[JDHasty]

I was thinking soaking it w/Sweets 7.62 to dissolve the brass bristles and that might make it easier to move, but if it remained stuck then that Sweets would eat it's way half way through the barrel.  Compressed air sounds reasonable, but then again it is being pushed from behind and that may make it want to expand in dia and wedge even tighter.   

[M_ray]

might have to bite the bullet so to speak and pull it back out the wrong way  Will this really damage it too bad if it is a one time deal? 

[C-Money]

Straighten out a heavy duty fish hook with a good barb and stab that thing, and pull it out?

[JDHasty]

might have to bite the bullet so to speak and pull it back out the wrong way  Will this really damage it too bad if it is a one time deal? 

Nothing to get hold of on either end is what I hear. 

[Blacktail Sniper]

How about a brass welding rod fairly tight to bore diameter, lots of wd-40 or other spray lube down the barrel on the both ends to help, then tap through with a hammer?

Brass being soft shouldn't hurt the bore, just not sure if it would be stiff enough unless you used short sections, each one getting longer so you aren't trying to drive a long, full-length, flexible rod, if that makes sense.