Clogged nipple

[woodsnwater]

I'm new so I have a lot to learn. I have a Traditions Crockett 32, using Pyrodex P FFF with a #10 or 11 cap. My problem is my nipple is getting clogged quick. If I wait 3 shots I have to use the #11 caps just to make it go off without hang firing, and you can't even force the pick through at that point. A standard paperclip will go through the hole when it's clean and from what I've read, that's the right diameter. Is this normal?

 

[smo]

Replace it and see if it helps… They aren’t that expensive..

 

[FishDFly]

Follow smo.

 

[bigstick6017555]

I'm new so I have a lot to learn. I have a Traditions Crockett 32, using Pyrodex P FFF with a #10 or 11 cap. My problem is my nipple is getting clogged quick. If I wait 3 shots I have to use the #11 caps just to make it go off without hang firing, and you can't even force the pick through at that point. A standard paperclip will go through the hole when it's clean and from what I've read, that's the right diameter. Is this normal?

In my opinion I would not call that normal. I have a T/C Seneca .36 cal. and have shot Pyrodex p, Pyrodex R&S, Triple Seven, & Black Powder. I have not experienced any of your problems. Like SMO implied, this would be a choice to consider. I personally would look at the the flash channel, there may be an obstruction that is causing things to get clogged. That obstruction could be from not properly drilled at the factory, or rust/crude from improper cleaning. There are many articles about how to go about cleaning flash hole obstructions by using the search options. Good luck

 

[bang]

Make sure the nipple has correct thread journal length. Too long can cause issues of at or near bottoming out.

 

[mooman76]

I would get a better nipple while you're at it. Like a hot shot or similar. Nipples when new are smaller than a paper clip. Also it might be your load technique. You could be push crud down the bore clogging your nipple. With a nipple hole that big, it would be easier to push crud down to the nipple. Are you swabbing between shots? That would be when the crud gets pushed down there. The cleaning patch should fit kind of loose so when you swab, the patch goes over the crud and then bunches up when you pull it out, pulling out the crud instead of pushing it down to the breech.

 

[painter]

I would get a better nipple while you're at it. Like a hot shot or similar. Nipples when new are smaller than a paper clip. Also it might be your load technique. You could be push crud down the bore clogging your nipple. With a nipple hole that big, it would be easier to push crud down to the nipple. Are you swabbing between shots? That would be when the crud gets pushed down there. The cleaning patch should fit kind of loose so when you swab, the patch goes over the crud and then bunches up when you pull it out, pulling out the crud instead of pushing it down to the breech.

I think you hit the nail on the head with pushing the fouling down while swabbing.

 

[dave951]

What powder are you using?

 

[Britsmoothy]

If you use mineral based gun oil in the barrel and store the rifle muzzle up you will get this problem. Mineral oil can cake up with black powder fouling and even create hard to shift deposits. It happened to me once and completely blocked the nipple.

 

[Daveboone]

Mr Britsmoothy's post....one of the first things I thought of...be sure to thoroughly dry the bore and I pull the nipple and dry out what I can, then pop a couple caps before starting to shoot. For the few bucks, it certainly will still pay to try a new quality nipple too. Many shooters will pop a cap after a few shots to ensure the channel is clear when range shooting...I think more prophylactic than anything, but certainly you shouldnt have a problem within the first few shots.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Even the slightest residue will be problematic.
My advice is always the same. No oil, no oil called gun oil and no WD-40.
Only animal or vegetable.

 

[woodsnwater]

The gun and factory nipple are brand new and as clean as I can get it, that includes taking out the nipple and clean out screw and running a pipe cleaner through. I can't swear their isn't a small obstruction in there, I haven't looked. I use no oil in the bore, just a little bore butter that i swab out before loading. No swabbing between shots. When I do use a cleaning patch it's TIGHT it's a 32. The caps I'm using have some age on them.

 

[Ponderosaman]

Even the slightest residue will be problematic.
My advice is always the same. No oil, no oil called gun oil and no WD-40.
Only animal or vegetable.

Rem oil was what got me last time I was out. Spritzed a little in there to get in the nooks and crannies of the breach. While stored, I believe it pooled, blocking the tiny hole in the nipple and causing a misfire.

 

[Flintlock]

Are you sure your getting the chamber completely clean. Many rifles now use a patented type breach and if those are not cleaned properly then your nipple might clog often. Also try replacing nipple with a better aftermarket type.

 

[FishDFly]

Ditch the Bore Butter and your problem will go away.

 

[woodsnwater]

It is a patented breech. I put a patch on a .22 brush and spun it around in there. How about Traditions EZ clean 2 1000 plus lube?
Maybe it is a residue problem, I just got a couple new nipples in the mail and just wanted to make sure this wasn't normal.

 

[SDSmlf]

I use no oil in the bore, just a little bore butter that i swab out before loading.

Borebutter has gummed up and clogged a lot of bores in my experience. Some use it in their rifle bores without issue, but suspect they just don’t push enough down the bore to clog up the fire channel.

 

[Britsmoothy]

It is a patented breech. I put a patch on a .22 brush and spun it around in there. How about Traditions EZ clean 2 1000 plus lube?
Maybe it is a residue problem, I just got a couple new nipples in the mail and just wanted to make sure this wasn't normal.

At least keep the rifle muzzle down. No need to oil in the chamber anyway.

 

[SDSmlf]

It is a patented breech. I put a patch on a .22 brush and spun it around in there. How about Traditions EZ clean 2 1000 plus lube?
Maybe it is a residue problem, I just got a couple new nipples in the mail and just wanted to make sure this wasn't normal.

Just for giggles and kicks, clean your bore the evening before you plan to go shooting. Forget the chemicals and oil. Use water and a bit of soap, followed by a good alcohol flush. Let the barrel sit overnight bore down. You should have a clean, oil free, dry barrel when you load it the next day. If your problems go away, you have a good baseline to start from.

 

[ord sgt]

I'm curious....before you load your first powder charge, do you fire at least 2 caps on an empty barrel? This method will tell you if the flash channel is clear of any debris left over from cleaning and storage. Place a cap on the nipple and point the rifle in a safe direction and pull the trigger. Remove the first cap hull and place another cap. Point the rifle toward the ground. Pull the trigger again. Watch where the muzzle is pointed. You should see movement of grass, leaves or dirt. This will indicate a clear flash channel.
Use this method after you wipe the barrel while shooting. Some fouling is easily pushed into the flash channel during wiping or cleaning by the cleaning patches.
Try this and see if it helps with your problem.