Delayed Ignition

[wsherrill]

Hi guys, I have a .45 Cal CVA pistol that has a slight delay in firing the main charge, once the cap is struck, everything is clean and I am using a #10 cap/nipple. Also I am using Pyrodex FFF for my propellant. Does anyone have an idea on how to elminate this and it really affects my accuracy.
Wayne

 

[pargent]

Use BLACK POWDER 3f would be good .

 

[biliff]

My experience with Pyrodex is that it needs some compression to get rid rid of the hang fire.

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

Have you tried slapping the side of the pistol after you pour in the powder but before loading the ball? Sometimes just giving it a little tap on the side of the gun will get enough powder into the drum to help ignition.

 

[D Sanders]

What 1601phill said, fff bp works best. My experience with pyrodex is the same, more frequent hang fires. Pyrodex has a higher ignition temp than real bp does.

HH 60

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Ok, I am puzzled. You said a 45 cal CVA, which should take a No 11 cap, but you said you are using a No 10, which is normally for revolvers. Which is it? a muzzleloader or a revolver? If a muzzleloader, is it an older one with a bolster breech or a newer one with a drum and nipple?

The old bolster breach plugs had narrow channels into the powder charge and if clogged or restricted affects ignition speed. The muzzle loaders with the drum and nipple system can likewise clog or get restricted and affect ignition. When loading, after pouring the powder down and before the ball, smack the gun a few times on the side away from the lock to settle powder into the flash channel. It is possible to open that channel slightly by removing the clean out screw and carefully (not to ruin the clean out screw threads,) enlarge the interior end of the flash channel by using a dremel and a narrow grind stone bit or rasp bit.

 

[AZbpBurner]

Remove the drum cleanout screw & also the nipple. Run a pipecleaner soaked in hot soapy water thru the cleanout & see if you get any black residue - if so, keep cleaning until you get no more black residue. If this gun has been fired a lot, there may be more stubborn carbon residue baked into the flash channel, and you may want to hand push in successively larger wire twist drill bits, to use as a scraper & not as a metal borer to clean out any stubborn accumulation.

Especially with Pyrodex, holding the barrel vertical & tapping it a few times with a wooden dowel, tool handle or even the heel of your shoe, a couple of times to settle in the powder, then firmly seat the ball & you should see improved ignition.

If there's still some delay, consider a #11 nipple & the new Hotter Remington caps, or CCI Magnums. I use both interchangeably & just base my preference on price (cheaper IS better).

 

[wsherrill]

Thanks for the feedback and I will try this.
~ Wayne

 

[wsherrill]

My bad I believe they are #11 caps and I will try and smack the side to force some in the drum area before loading a ball and possibly trying actual black powder in 3f. Thanks again.

 

[cowpoke1955]

I have a .45 CVA Hentucky pistol. Never had a misfire or hang fire. My favorite load is a .440 nall, pillow ticking patch lubed with Ballistol oil and 20 grains of FFFg Goex. It's dead on at 25 yards. If you use Pyrodex, use Pyrodex "P". Using a #11 magnum cap will give you a hotter flame to your powder charge. Another thing to try is replcing your nipple with a Spitfire or Hot Dhot. They are designed to deliver a stronger flame to the powder charge. As mentioned, be sure to tap your stock, oppisite the lock, before ramming the ball home.

 

[cynthialee]

if you are going to use that pyrodex then I suggest that you switch to the CCI magnum caps.
Also tap the gun like they said.

Black powder would serve you better if you can get it.

 

[crockett]

I thought CVA guns had a coned breech? If so then maybe residue build up if you are using a flat scraper?

 

[wsherrill]

Thanks for the tips there, looks like these changes will correct this hangfire as I really do like the pistol. ~ Wayne