There's punches, and then there's punches. Firearm punches are generally brass. If it was steel, and you inspected the bbl, and it was okay, no problem. Try to stick to brass for stuff like this. The brass punch is still softer than the steel barrel. I keep an aluminum punch in my range bag. Only need it once. Bullet was halfway out of the muzzle, still needed a LOT of force to get it the rest of the way out!