.58 1862 Richmond rifle help needed

[drharris]

It seems as if the lock side of the barrel tapers in for about 3 inches. The projectile doesn't even have a chance to seat on the powder charge. Had many misfires this last month of hunting. 2 opportunities to get an elk at 50 yards missed due to misfire.
Not due to wet or compromised powder. Good fresh caps and powder.

Can someone lend a hand please. Was thinking a little corn meal on top of the charge to seat the round on. Or a paper wad? But don't want to disrupt the action of the minie skirt expansion. My thought is the powder that makes it to the side lock works its way back into the main chamber. Hence a misfire.

 

[hawkeye2]

I'm guessing this is a reproduction. I hope you are aware of the danger of firing a black powder arm without the projectile fully seated on the powder charge (leaving an air space below the projectile). I have never heard of a bore tapering but there's always a first time. If you know anyone with an endoscope I would start by looking for issues with machining, possibly incomplete. If that's OK I would pull the breech plug and slug the last few inches of the bore. '55 & '61 Springfields (same as your Richmond) have a clear and relatively short passage from the nipple to the bore and I wouldn't expect any problems there and the powder does not have to enter that passage for reliable ignition. With good caps and a good nipple you shouldn't have any trouble firing the charge provided it isn't 2 1/2" up the barrel. Springfields (Richmonds) are extremely reliable firearms. Ok, 1 more thing, take out the "clean-out" screw (the only time you should ever remove one) and check the passage for burrs or an incomplete job drilling it. Putting anything on top of the powder charge is a stop-gap measure and can affect the minie's skirt expansion. Last resort, send the barrel to Bobby Hoyt.

 

[towgunner11h]

Did you buy this used? Any chance there’s a bore obstruction preventing proper loading- like maybe part of a lead skirt?