Breech plug stuck in Bighorn

[GUHunter]

Hey guys,

I bought a Knight Bighorn a few months ago and have shot it a few times now. I stripped it down and cleaned it last time I shot it and today took it out. Brought it home and started to tear it down, but I can not get the breech plug out. I have applied substantial force, but it will not budge. Anyone else ever experience this? Any ideas?

[hunter guy]

I have a youth model wolverine that has an identical breech plug.  The tool supplied is hard to get alot of tork with.  If you have a 3/8" socket set, extention, and ratchet I'm certain you can get more torque on it with that.  If that does not work, its going to need to be secured in a vise.  Hope that helps...

[Whitelightning]

Try applying a good penetrating oil also. If you get it out remmember to apply breech plug grease to the threads.

[WonkyWapiti]

When you put the breach plug in did you apply breach plug grease to it?  If not then that's probably why it's stuck.

[dawhunt]

When you put the breach plug in did you apply breach plug grease to it?  If not then that's probably why it's stuck.

YEB !!! you MUST lube ie it before you put it back in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you might try to tighten it then loosen then tighten then loosen it several times to break it loose,the pentrating oil was a good idea also
make sure you clean your barrell REALLY good after using and get all the oil out.
Bob

[smokey]

I have also heard of guys using carburator cleaner if nothing else works. This makes sense since it is mainly carbon fouling left when shooting. Plug the nipple hole in the breach plug and lean it muzzle up in the corner after spraying a good amount of cleaner down the bore. Leave it over night and try it in the morning. Hopefully this will work for you. 

[CP]

The plug can be a major pain.  Here’s what I do when mine sticks:

Clamp the barrel assembly in a vise with soft wood jaw plates
Slip the plug tool over the plug nut
Smack the end of the tool briskly with a hammer
Insert a good strong rod into the plug tool and torque it out.

It usually comes free after a whack or two.

Grease it up good when you reassemble and limit the number of shots between removals.  The more you shoot it, the more it sticks.

[robodad]

Good ideas so far !! What I do is leave the plug loose after I clean it with anti-seize in the threads, then when it comes time to shoot, I just tighten it up, then before I leave the range I loosen it back up. I have had a couple stuck plugs and they are a pain but a little heat will really help too just not too hot !!

[longstevo]

Yeah, I had this happen once to my Knight Wolverine.  My dad ended up taking it to his machine shop to get it loosend up. 

[whacker1]

all reasonable ideas.  be careful not to torque the barrel against the gun if applying lots of pressure. 

I have stuck several breech plugs.  It is worthwhile to buy a clean breech plug once you get it out, because if you bought it used, it is likely that threads are pitted and not going to turn easily.  The breech plug lube is worh its wait in gold. 

You can also clean the threads of a breech plug on a wire wheel, which helps get any fouling out of the threads.

[SeaRun1]

I have had my breech plug stuck in my Bighorn one time.  That was enough for me.  Two things I can tell you that I have picked up from shooting and learning about muzzleloders that work well.

1.  Instead of just applying breech plug grease to the threads put some on your finger or a Q-Tip and get some on the threads of the barrel as well.  If its only on the breech plug threads then alot of it gets pushed out as you thread the plug.

2.  After a shot or two you can break the breech plug seal with your black Knight tool and then retighten and keep shooting.  Works really well for keeping the plug from getting sealed in.

Hope that helps.

SeaRun1

[WonkyWapiti]

So inquiring minds want to know, did you get the breach plug out?  Also was the original cause no breach plug grease?  Good luck

[h2ofowlr]

When mine stuck I found the best stuff out there to help unfreeze it.  Kano -Aero Kroil this is penetrating solvent and really does a good job.  I have moved away from plug greese as it can hold mosture and still stick sometime and went with a high temp anti-seize lube made by Jet Lube - Nikal.  Anti-mosture, water, carbon, fouling etc.  Great stuff.  Good luck.

[GUHunter]

Sorry I didn't get back to you guys. Yes, I did get it out and yes, the cause was a lack of breech plug grease. I didn't have a vise at home, but took it to work, put the barrel in the vise and with a socket and ratchet, it came out without too much trouble. I haven't reassembled it, but will be sure to grease it first. Thanks for all your help, everyone.

[carpsniperg2]

glad you got it out and use a good plug greese to help in the future.

YEB !!! you MUST lube ie it before you put it back in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  and LOL dawhunt