Black Powder Misfire Question

[Neoxello]

[DennisCA]

I learn that lesson the hard way (it had a good outcome - it finally fired; after several caps). Like me you'll have to fire off several caps to get it to fire. Also I keep some pipe cleaners with me, they're great for cleaning out (black powder) nipples. Like these:

To prevent this (prior to firing your first round) run a patch down the down the bore/chambers to make sure there isn't any leftover moisture. Also I usually fire off a cap or two - just to make sure there isn't any moisture.
That's my normal routine when I take either the BP rifle or pistol out to the range.
Being that said - when you buy your BP gun, invest in some accessories (patch and bullet puller for example)

[CSACANNONEER]

First, prior to loading, blow down the barrel to make sure that the barrel is empty and the nipple is not clogged. Then, if you get a misfire, hold the gun pointed in a safe direction for at least 30 seconds to make sure it is not a hang fire. After that, reprime and try it again. If you simply can not get the round to fire, you can try pulling the nipple and pouring a few grains of FFFFg through the flash hole and into the breach. Then replace the nipple, reprime and hope the bullet clears the barrel. Pulling the ball or using a CO2 charged ball remover is my last resort but, I ALWAYS have a bullet puller in my possibles bag just in case.

[DennisCA]

Neoxello - I also have this in my BP bag:

(Just in case)

[Neoxello]

Thanks for the advice guys I'm really looking forward to getting my first BP pistol. I'm planning on getting the Traditions Kentucky Pistol as soon as a get the $.

[ironhorse1]

The problem is usually caused by oil left in the chamber.

It is best to fire off a cap or two to burn the oil off before loading with powder and ball.

Also acquire a piece of piano wire or a nipple prick just in case something gets stuck in the flash hole.

BP is a lot of messy fun.

irh

[Springfield45]

Make sure you barrel is dry. When you stand a rifle up in the corner the oil will move down to the nipple. Fire a few caps through it before you load. Don't over oil the barrel unless you are storing it long term.

Get a nipple pick. If you ever get a flint lock you will really need it.

Have a nipple wrench. If you forget to put powder in and load a ball you can remove the nipple and put a little 4F powder in and put the nipple back on. When you fire it will be just strong enough to push the ball out. This is 10 times easier than pulling a ball. Faster to.

Replace the nipple with a new one. If the touch hole in the nipple is to small it may not be allowing enough fire in to set off the main charge. If you have small drill bits you can drill it out.

[fuegoboy]

Neoxello,

As has been noted above, ALWAYS fire off a cap to ensure the vent is cleared. The second part to the ALWAYS is that you point the barrel towards the ground and you fire the cap. It the vent is clear you will hear the cap go off and a puff of dirt at the end of the barrel is an indication the vent is clear.

Then you can start the Powder, Patch and Ball routine. Even on revolvers I do the same. At the Santa Barbara club we actually do the cap routine as a group as part of opening the line to live fire:

"The firing range is hot, load your caps to check your vents." Then the fun begins.

cheers,

[GOEX FFF]

First, prior to loading, blow down the barrel to make sure that the barrel is empty and the nipple is not clogged. Then, if you get a misfire, hold the gun pointed in a safe direction for at least 30 seconds to make sure it is not a hang fire. After that, reprime and try it again. If you simply can not get the round to fire, you can try pulling the nipple and pouring a few grains of FFFFg through the flash hole and into the breach. Then replace the nipple, reprime and hope the bullet clears the barrel. Pulling the ball or using a CO2 charged ball remover is my last resort but, I ALWAYS have a bullet puller in my possibles bag just in case.

Make sure you barrel is dry. When you stand a rifle up in the corner the oil will move down to the nipple. Fire a few caps through it before you load. Don't over oil the barrel unless you are storing it long term.

Get a nipple pick. If you ever get a flint lock you will really need it.

Have a nipple wrench. If you forget to put powder in and load a ball you can remove the nipple and put a little 4F powder in and put the nipple back on. When you fire it will be just strong enough to push the ball out. This is 10 times easier than pulling a ball. Faster to.

Replace the nipple with a new one.

^^ These are the right answers.
In fact, just this weekend before last at one of our CW live fire events, we had 2 FTF Musketoons. I always have a small, Flintlock priming flask with me at the range just for this reason. Removed the cone, filled the fash-hole and replace..."poof!" out they went. 4F like said is best, 3F works just as well.

I dislike using ball-pullers and I too only go to it at the very last resort.
It's always felt uneasy to me.

1.) You have a loaded charge and ball you're dealing with doing your work at the muzzle.

2.) If it's a long gun, it often takes two people to get the ball out if it's in there good, with one person holding it and the other at the muzzle pulling.
If you're alone...with a 54" musket, good luck with that.

3.) It doesn't ALWAYS work well. Typical muzzle-loading projectiles are cast from soft lead. Unless you get a good, solid, deep hold in the ball with the puller screw, it can eventually strip (you've got only one side of the ball to use) becoming a major PITA.

Powder + Flash hole = Poof =

If the touch hole in the nipple is to small it may not be allowing enough fire in to set off the main charge. If you have small drill bits you can drill it out.

The only thing I'd be aware about drilling, is you don't want the cone's flash hole to be TOO large causing excess blow-black, blowing the cap off and kicking the hammer back to half cock. This is why a cone's flash hole is meant to be small. For blank/reenactaor firing, a bigger flash hole is better, but not so is the case for live fire.

[6mmintl]

Once you have a misfire, run a wire prick down into nipple, recap, try again.

If it does not fire remove nipple and using a "Flintlock Pan primer with 3f powder" dump in a small amount of 3f and screw in nipple, cap, fire.

It should always fire after priming bolster.

[Springfield45]

There are all so ball dischargers that can push a ball out the barrel with CO2.

[Carsgunsandchics]

Every bag should have a nipple pick, nipple wrench, and a spare nipple. After trying a second and third cap pull the nipple to check the hole. As well as check for the presence of powder in the port to the breech, if there isn't any present you can coerce some in a little at a time (like stated 4f is preferred, 3f in a pinch, and if neither of those is available 2f as a last resort.) it's best to drop a little bit in the hole and tilt the rifle to have gravity help get it into the breech while hitting your palm against the lockworks. Fill it till the powder fills the hole but is still clear of the threads for the nipple. Re-install the nipple and cap. Fire the rifle into the ground far enough to be safe but close enough to see the impact of the projectile. Or you can use one of those Co2 unloaders. http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product...ducts_id=15330

[Whiterabbit]

2.) If it's a long gun, it often takes two people to get the ball out if it's in there good, with one person holding it and the other at the muzzle pulling.
If you're alone...with a 54" musket, good luck with that.

So, I agree with you, but I just wanted to say:

muzzle down range, butt on ground, feet around ramrod and pull rifle back like you are rowing. Works like a champ. Especially if you design your ramrod end to take a tap-n-die handle to put your feet on.

For those that don't want to buy 4f or even 3f, a mortar and pestle turns lowF into highF quick.

[THBailey]

I would add "BEWARE THE HANGFIRE". Think of it as the cap lighting a fuse that slowly burns down to the main charge. Keep the gun firmly held, rifle snug to the shoulder or pistol tightly held, for at least a slow ten count.

[Neoxello]

Thanks guys for all the good advice Just bought my pistol and can't wait for it to arrive. Not sure how soon I can get to the range to shoot it but am really looking forward to it!