We have a loaded muzzleloader that won’t fire and I don’t have any way to safely unload it. Is it safe to remove the nipple and put a couple grains of gum powder in the hole and then reattach the nipple to make it fire?
First off, welcome to the forum from Western North Carolina.We have a loaded muzzleloader that won’t fire and I don’t have any way to safely unload it. Is it safe to remove the nipple and put a couple grains of gum powder in the hole and then reattach the nipple to make it fire?
Actually, I have elk hunted with a guy that carried a Co2 cartridge with him up in the mountains. It makes sense considering your hunt is over if you run into such issues and cannot get the projectile out. He pulled that out of his pack after the hunt and got back to camp, then blew out the projectile. It works very nicely and no need in cleaning the rifle. That's where I learned about a how well they work.I am sure all the method mentioned for removing a charge from a barrel will work. I am a powder under the nipple for the cap and ball rifles. Its not a matter of which way is the best its a matter of which one could you use if you were deep in the woods? Do you carry a grease gun, a compressor or any gadgets with you when you are hunting? I don't think so but you will have caps and powder? You also need to know that the more you screw with it and it didn't work makes the job harder for the next guy that tries.
If there is a question as to whether the rifle is charged with smokeless powder or not carry the rifle to a gun smith.Do not try to shoot it out!
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