Mike,

If you don't want to spend the funds for an extractor for each caliber, assuming you can find one, the cheapest solution is to find a rimmed revolver case with a rim slightly larger than the bore.  Then slowly reduce the diameter of the rim on a belt sander or grinder until it just barely slides into the bore.  If you ever have another case separation just insert the modified case head 1st into the muzzle or breech, whichever is the farthest from the case remnant, and push it down with a cleaning rod.  If it's a snug fit to the bore it will catch the separated case remnant and you can drive it out with the cleaning rod.  Works like a charm.  

As an example, I keep a couple of modified .38 Special cases in my range box just waiting for a separated case in my .40-65 Win. BPCR.

With some caliber rifles you can likely find a spent case lying around at the range that fits just right without any modifications.  I already had a .45 caliber broken shell extractor for my .45-70, which will work for just about any .45 caliber cartridges so I have not looked for a rimmed case to modify.  But I bet you can find one.

BTW, if you are looking for a commercial version, search for broken case extractors on Amazon.  They have a bunch as does Brownell's and some other firearm equipment suppliers.

Wayne

   An appropriate bore brush pushed into the jammed case front from the breech will often allow it to be pulled out.
   As others suggest, a smaller case "smooshed" a little out of round and inserted mouth-first thru muzzle will also snag them.
   I haven't had a broken case in a BP caliber since I quit messing around with annealing cases 20 years ago.

CHRIS
RGChristensen

rr2241tx wrote on Mar 5^th, 2015 at 9:33am:


Tom,

With a .45-70 typical bore diameter of .450" I'd think a .40 S&W is too small as would also be a 10mm.  The fired cases I have are around .425" to .433".  I'd think a better fit would be a 7.62x39 which is around .445" at the rim and should work fine without any modification.  It easily slides down the bore of my .45-70.  These can usually be found all over any range since the cases are typically made from coated steel and not reloaded, although you may have to scrape off some of the rust.  But in a pinch, lacking any other size, I'd sure try a .40 S&W case, which may work better if squeezed out of round and inserted mouth 1st.

Wayne

In a Cody Ballard I shoot, I had several separations with the lot of brass I had been using. Nothing I put down from the muzzle would take it loose. Not Even Cerro Safe Cast worked !
I had to turn a tool on my lathe with a very fine thread that I screwed  into the piece of broken case from the breech end. Then It could be knocked out with a rod from the muzzle.
Those separations left a little over half of the .45-70 case in the front of the chamber.

Terry