Huge problem that really ruined my day

[BrownBear]

It wasn't a huge problem to begin with, pull the trigger, cap goes off but gun doesnt. Ok happens time to time. But it seems like its every other shot

Sure sounds like the nipple based on my own experience. That's especially true if it's the original nipple from Investarms, the maker of that rifle for Cabelas.

One of the tricks to making Pyrodex happy is to use a Hot Shot type nipple. Not a factor for hunting, but on the range it also helps to use a vent pick on the nipple every 3 shots or so. I've gone as long as 6 shots without a misfire, so my "insurance" is to pick the vent every 3 shots.

 

[CrossXstix]

I think the name of the German caps is RWS

X
David

 

[MikeW319]

I had the same problem and asked here about the problem. Was advised that I should try black powder and have not had a problem since.

 

[S.Kenton]

If you really want some insurance for the next time your hunting... take your nipple off after loading the rifle and put a FEW grains of your powder down the nipple hole.. don't re-oil the threads of your nipple when you replace it and it SHOULD go bang everytime. I had the same problem with a Traditions Penn. rifle.

 

[Scotman]

I had the same problem when I used Pyrodex. Like others have said, I switched to real black powder (FFg Goex), and magnum caps””never had a failure to ignite since. I hunted 2 days in rainy weather this week in GA and it fired off just fine afterwards. In my previous experience with Pyrodex I don't think that would have happened. You'll get lots of good advice from folks who like Pyrodex. I'm sure it works fine for those that like it and are really scrupulous about all the little details. I just like the fact that real BP is lot more forgiving for all those little details like too much lube on the patch, or oil on the nipple thread, or condensation, or hi humidity, or whatever.

 

[zukeeper1]

musket nipples have a much larger hole , the musket cap carries more charge and will ignite the powder everytime even under less than ideal conditions. why leave things to chance ? the military didn't and I don't neither , I need that meat in the freezer :grin:

as a bonus , musket nipples are easier to handle for us folks that arnt young uns anymore :wink:

 

[Huntin_Dawg1215]

agree!!!!!!

 

[paulvallandigham]

I do not think capping nipples with live caps held in my thumb is going to contribute to the longevity of my thumb, Thank you. I use a capper to put caps on my nipples. Mine is the oval shaped one sold by Tedd Cash products. I have had mine for about 30 years and its never failed me. All I shoot are standard #11 caps.

If you would do the TEST I suggested- at night, lights out, wait sufficient time for your eyes to dilate, fire ONLY caps out of your gun, or have someone do it with your gun, you will find that Musket Caps do not put out more flame than do #11 caps.

They cannot put out sufficient gases to blow out stopped up, or plugged flash channels or plugged nipples. The idea that musket caps are a panaceia for all that can go wrong with percussion ignition is just a pipe dream at best- and a cruel hoax at worse, IMHO. :youcrazy: :nono: :idunno: :surrender:

I have shot percussion guns long enough to understand that there come times when the only way you are going to get that $#%*& gun to shoot is by removing and cleaning the nipple orifice, clearing the flash channel with a pipe cleaner, then shoving some dry Flash powder ( 4Fg) down the channel under the nipple, and firing off the gun with a new cap. :shocked2: :blah: :v :grin: Then you flush the bore with alcohol, and clean the nipple, and flash channel the way you should have cleaned it before you began that shooting session. :hmm: :shocked2: :redface:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I do not think capping nipples with live caps held in my thumb is going to contribute to the longevity of my thumb, Thank you. I use a capper to put caps on my nipples. Mine is the oval shaped one sold by Tedd Cash products. I have had mine for about 30 years and its never failed me. All I shoot are standard #11 caps.

If you would do the TEST I suggested- at night, lights out, wait sufficient time for your eyes to dilate, fire ONLY caps out of your gun, or have someone do it with your gun, you will find that Musket Caps do not put out more flame than do #11 caps.

They cannot put out sufficient gases to blow out stopped up, or plugged flash channels or plugged nipples. The idea that musket caps are a panaceia for all that can go wrong with percussion ignition is just a pipe dream at best- and a cruel hoax at worse, IMHO. :youcrazy: :nono: :idunno: :surrender:

I have shot percussion guns long enough to understand that there come times when the only way you are going to get that $#%*& gun to shoot is by removing and cleaning the nipple orifice, clearing the flash channel with a pipe cleaner, then shoving some dry Flash powder ( 4Fg) down the channel under the nipple, and firing off the gun with a new cap. :shocked2: :blah: :v :grin:

Then, you flush the bore with alcohol, and clean the nipple, and flash channel the way you should have cleaned it before you began that shooting session. :hmm: :shocked2: :redface:

 

[CoyoteJoe]

When I first contracted this insanity we call a "sport", I too thought musket caps were the sure fire alternative. After a few years of real experience I learned otherwise. Not only did the larger cap offer no advantage but it even posed new problems. The hammers of sporting locks are very much smaller and lighter than musket hammers and have a much smaller recess in the hammer nose. If the hammer does not strike the nipple absolutely dead center the rim of the nose recess will scrape the side of a musket cap with enough friction to cushion the impact and the cap will not fire. I found I often had to tinker with the lock inlet or even bend the hammer to get reliable ignition with a musket nipple on a sporting rifle. Just get your rifle totally clean, totally dry, don't slop a quart of oil down the bore after cleaning, patch the bore dry of oil before loading and 90% of your troubles will disappear. Then switch to 3f black and the other 10% will go.

 

Im using pre lubed patches and i always put one drop of oil on the threads of the nipple and then wipe my finger or a patch around it.

Though not traditional, I use a sliver of plumber's tape to wrap the threads on my nipples. Just make sure it doesn't cover the end of the nipple. No oil to foul the ignition flash.