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I am an idiot. Frustrated to the point of wanting to quit.

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I know what I did was stupid. I just got so frustrated and sick and tired of never being able to get things to work for me. I’ve tried 3 different powders. Every time I mess with this stupid gun I work my butt off and maybe get it to shoot a handful of times and it goes back to flash and nothing. I can never get the stupid bullet puller to bite into the ball. In desperation the only way I’ve been able to get it unloaded in the past has been to remove the touch hole plug and tediously push as much powder in the hole as I can fit, then try it it again. Well, this time I wallered the touchhole out and even after I tried cleaning up the slot with very small file, I still couldn’t get it to turn. I even strapped the gun down in a lock down rest and tried to get the powder to ignite with a propane pen torch to the point where I quit bc I was afraid of doing irreparable damage to the finish.

Well I decided that touchhole had to come out and my stupid a$$ got to here and I’m just so frustrated I’m ready to just throw this -deleted- gun in a sinkhole. I really enjoy rendezvous and club shoots or I would if I could ever get my rifle to go off more than 5 times.

I realize how stupid I look here. I swear I’m not that clueless. I literally work with my hands and tools every day. Grew up farming and with modern firearms and have always been a born tinkerer. This type of thing is usually right in my wheel house, but I just got frustrated and rage took over.

I’m going to try this one more time. As embarrassing as this is I am coming to the forum. I’m going to try whatever y’all tell me to do, if I can get it to work, then I’ll stick with it. If not, I’m throwing the damn rifle in a sinkhole.
I got one of those CO2 thingys that blow the bullet out of the barrel. found refills at a bicycle shop. very easy to use.
 
I know what I did was stupid. I just got so frustrated and sick and tired of never being able to get things to work for me. I’ve tried 3 different powders. Every time I mess with this stupid gun I work my butt off and maybe get it to shoot a handful of times and it goes back to flash and nothing. I can never get the stupid bullet puller to bite into the ball. In desperation the only way I’ve been able to get it unloaded in the past has been to remove the touch hole plug and tediously push as much powder in the hole as I can fit, then try it it again. Well, this time I wallered the touchhole out and even after I tried cleaning up the slot with very small file, I still couldn’t get it to turn. I even strapped the gun down in a lock down rest and tried to get the powder to ignite with a propane pen torch to the point where I quit bc I was afraid of doing irreparable damage to the finish.

Well I decided that touchhole had to come out and my stupid a$$ got to here and I’m just so frustrated I’m ready to just throw this -deleted- gun in a sinkhole. I really enjoy rendezvous and club shoots or I would if I could ever get my rifle to go off more than 5 times.

I realize how stupid I look here. I swear I’m not that clueless. I literally work with my hands and tools every day. Grew up farming and with modern firearms and have always been a born tinkerer. This type of thing is usually right in my wheel house, but I just got frustrated and rage took over.

I’m going to try this one more time. As embarrassing as this is I am coming to the forum. I’m going to try whatever y’all tell me to do, if I can get it to work, then I’ll stick with it. If not, I’m throwing the damn rifle in a sinkhole.

Throw it away and take up shooting a snaphance
 
Sorry to hear you're frustrated, sometimes a little tweak to your process can make all the difference. You got lots of good advice already, I'd like to reiterate what I think are the most important parts.
You can buy a new liner for not much money. You might have to go with a bigger size and drill/tap for it. Not that big of a deal as long as you take your time.
As to how you got here:
It has to be clean, several people said they thought they saw junk in the breech. If that blocks the flash from igniting the main charge it would make your life really difficult. If you have a stuck cleaning brush or something else, that could make it unsafe. If it's just crud, try finding the appropriate breech scraper. Try calling Cooperstown trading post, he has some that fit a T/C breech.
Only use real black powder in a flintlock, pyrodex will lead to failure to fire a lot more often.
If you dry ball it (happens to the best of us) not all ball pullers are created equal. Some are blunt and worthless. You need one that is high quality so it can thread itself into the ball. See the link already shared to track of the wolf.
Don't get frustrated, find a local muzzleloader group (check nmlra site for local groups and call them) they will help you and put you on the right track.
 
Not sure if you loading process. Some have mentioned. If you blow down the barrel after a shot I would stop that. There can be some debri in the barrel after a shot if you blow down the barrel you could push it into a spot where you won’t get ignition or good ignition.
And it has been mentioned. Do not ever use Pyrodex in a flintlock
 
Anyone notice the OP has not responded...?
@Tomahawk Taxidermy hasn't been on since he posted this topic. We really need to know more about his shooting procedure, or we will continue to speculate for many more pages and not solve his problems. Taking the rifle to @nit wit is a great start to getting his rifle to shoot.
 
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@Tomahawk Taxidermy hasn't been on since he posted this topic. We really need to know more about his shooting procedure ore we will continue to speculate for many more pages and not solve his problems. Taking the rifle to @nit wit is a great start to getting his rifle to shoot.
Made me look, and it shows he was logged onto the forum early this morning. Guess he has just chosen not to respond to this thread.
 
I found the first edition of this so helpful and entertaining I've read it half a dozen times. Have not seen the second edition. I just got a 5 Volume set of Journal of Historical Armsmaking Technology (~1/2 off), but have not started it yet.

https://www.nmlra.org/store/flintlocks-a-practical-guide-for-their-use-and-appreciation

1721777422939.jpeg
 
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@Tomahawk Taxidermy hasn't been on since he posted this topic. We really need to know more about his shooting procedure, or we will continue to speculate for many more pages and not solve his problems. Taking the rifle to @nit wit is a great start to getting his rifle to shoot.
He is about 15 miles from me, I left a message to bring it by the shop and I would try to help him. Don't know what else I can do if he doesn't respond.
 
I can't tell if part of the liner is still in there, sure looks like it and drilled. There is never any reason to remove them things unless the hole is shot out. Use the right ball puller. The things they sell will expand a ball so much you will never remove it. Pre drilling a ball works better but use a sleeve on the rod to center the drill. I never have trouble getting a flash in the pan to fire. I just use my pick to work 4F into the touch hole.
 

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