Making sure that smokepole goes off!!!!

[54roundball]

With hunting season upon us I was wondering how everyone makes sure that rifle will go boom when the buck iof your dreams is in front of you.My self I shoot a lyman great plains 54 caliber percussion rifle. I like to shoot it it once the night before I hunt then. The next morning halfway on the way to where i hunt I pop off a cap or to with the barrell pointed towards the ground to see if the shot will move any leafs or grass or pebbles with the shot. If they move i know i have a clear ignition channel. I then pour my powder charge down the barrell. followed by a wonder wad then a patch lubed with bore butter then a dry patch then i load my projectile.Then I proceed to where I hunt then I cap the rifle. If I dont see any thing that day I uncap the the rifle and leave itin my vehicle until the next morning.The last evening I hunt I will shoot off the rifle and clean it that evening. How do you guys do it?