Please Go Bang

[MtnMike2]

Did a little deer hunting with Sally, my .54 cal Great Plains Rifle. Didn't get a shot, but I fired the rifle each night and cleaned her with Hoppes No 9 Black Powder solvent. I'm using Goex ffg. Well, 2 nights she didn't go off. One night was ok, because I was in rain all day and feel I didn't keep my powder dry like I should have. But the second time bothered me a bit. I have made an effort to ensure it goes off on first shot but I'll have to do better. I usually run a couple of dry patches thru, pop a cap or two, run another dry patch or two thru it before loading. I don't any oil on the nipple threads any more... I'm thinking I might need to run a pipe cleaner thru the ignition tunnel (what's it called?) after popping a cap.
Real black powder seems to be more of a challenge. I suppose on wet days I could go to substitutes (Pyrodex or Triple 7) but I'm wanting to come close to what our ancestors went thru.
Any tips / suggestions to make sure she goes bang first time would be welcome.

Mike

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I've had problems with misfires on the range after cleaning. I did the same thing....run a few dry patches, pop a cap or two, run some more patches, and then load. What I'd find is that there would sometimes be residue that would build up in the nipple.....so now, prior to loading, I run a nipple pick through the nipple and give it a good shake with the nipple at the high end (so any crud might fall away from the channel.
Then, when I load, I tip the barrel so the channel is lower...this way some powder trickles into the channel, helping to ensure ignition.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it! The other thing I've found is that there tends to be more of a problem with residue from caps on wet and/or extremely humid days.

[FIJI]

no...not with the firearm itself !

just get one of those cans of compressed air that are used to clean computer equipment. They come with a strawlike nozzle that'll blow everything out after you pop a cap

cheap...and effective

[Adam Helmer]

Mike,

You got good advice from the other guys. Another thing I do is store my cleaned muzzleloaders in a corner muzzle down on a paper towel. Any oil in the firing channel will drain away.

Adam

[MtnMike2]

Thanks guys. Good tips & advice. I'll give these a try. I love shooting the ol' charcoal burner!

Mike

[.50 cal]

I leave mine dirty during the season ( It is only 3 days) and I only use black powder.From what I have noticed the synthetics have a harder time lighting out of a few of my guns, I also changed my nipples from #11s to musket caps And that cut down on the pops with no bang. I also figured out if it is wet and cold (not hot)a little vasaline on and around the cap help keep the cap dry enough to fire.It also helps with the clean up after it has been fired.

[EricH]

Used borebutter for yrs never a missfire. tried pyrodex one yr. Loaded gun for afternoon hunt, no shot goin in the mornin so left charge in, next mornin no shot ,decided to unload and it dindnt go off. Several caps later it went. Back to BP only. BP and borebutter you can leave a load in for a yr and it will go off.
Got to reading too much and decided to try balistol as protectant. Do some shooting, clean and swab with it. Couple days later swab with several dry patches load and no bang. Back to borebutter and no problems.
Just my 2 cents :-)
Sry so sloppy. getting tired time for bed.

[Johnny Reb]

I always keep my gun in the garage where it stays cold during hunting season to prevent condensation. I used to have the same problems with misfires, until I started leaving my gun outside. Like Adam Helmer I also store my gun muzzle down to help prevent misfires.