Anyone notice the OP has not responded...?
I am an idiot. Frustrated to the point of wanting to quit.
- Thread starter Tomahawk Taxidermy
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Dennis McAtee
54 cal
I got one of those CO2 thingys that blow the bullet out of the barrel. found refills at a bicycle shop. very easy to use.
I’ve noticed that a stuck patched ball will come out easier if using a metal rod with a T-handle. The trick is not to pull But rather tap on the t- handle with a mallet. Trying to pull is a lot harder than tapping it out. Don’t ask me how I know 
Throw it away and take up shooting a snaphance
Sorry to hear you're frustrated, sometimes a little tweak to your process can make all the difference. You got lots of good advice already, I'd like to reiterate what I think are the most important parts.
You can buy a new liner for not much money. You might have to go with a bigger size and drill/tap for it. Not that big of a deal as long as you take your time.
As to how you got here:
It has to be clean, several people said they thought they saw junk in the breech. If that blocks the flash from igniting the main charge it would make your life really difficult. If you have a stuck cleaning brush or something else, that could make it unsafe. If it's just crud, try finding the appropriate breech scraper. Try calling Cooperstown trading post, he has some that fit a T/C breech.
Only use real black powder in a flintlock, pyrodex will lead to failure to fire a lot more often.
If you dry ball it (happens to the best of us) not all ball pullers are created equal. Some are blunt and worthless. You need one that is high quality so it can thread itself into the ball. See the link already shared to track of the wolf.
Don't get frustrated, find a local muzzleloader group (check nmlra site for local groups and call them) they will help you and put you on the right track.
You can buy a new liner for not much money. You might have to go with a bigger size and drill/tap for it. Not that big of a deal as long as you take your time.
As to how you got here:
It has to be clean, several people said they thought they saw junk in the breech. If that blocks the flash from igniting the main charge it would make your life really difficult. If you have a stuck cleaning brush or something else, that could make it unsafe. If it's just crud, try finding the appropriate breech scraper. Try calling Cooperstown trading post, he has some that fit a T/C breech.
Only use real black powder in a flintlock, pyrodex will lead to failure to fire a lot more often.
If you dry ball it (happens to the best of us) not all ball pullers are created equal. Some are blunt and worthless. You need one that is high quality so it can thread itself into the ball. See the link already shared to track of the wolf.
Don't get frustrated, find a local muzzleloader group (check nmlra site for local groups and call them) they will help you and put you on the right track.
I was thinking the same thing in the middle of the night when reading that thread.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2021
- Messages
- 307
- Reaction score
- 471
Not sure if you loading process. Some have mentioned. If you blow down the barrel after a shot I would stop that. There can be some debri in the barrel after a shot if you blow down the barrel you could push it into a spot where you won’t get ignition or good ignition.
And it has been mentioned. Do not ever use Pyrodex in a flintlock
And it has been mentioned. Do not ever use Pyrodex in a flintlock
You know, I'm sure most folks today don't know what that is...
I am sure you are right
@Tomahawk Taxidermy hasn't been on since he posted this topic. We really need to know more about his shooting procedure, or we will continue to speculate for many more pages and not solve his problems. Taking the rifle to @nit wit is a great start to getting his rifle to shoot.
Last edited:
Made me look, and it shows he was logged onto the forum early this morning. Guess he has just chosen not to respond to this thread.
I ask my wife what a snaphance was and she immediately slapped me.
I found the first edition of this so helpful and entertaining I've read it half a dozen times. Have not seen the second edition. I just got a 5 Volume set of Journal of Historical Armsmaking Technology (~1/2 off), but have not started it yet.
https://www.nmlra.org/store/flintlocks-a-practical-guide-for-their-use-and-appreciation
https://www.nmlra.org/store/flintlocks-a-practical-guide-for-their-use-and-appreciation
Last edited:
DixieTexian
Pilgrim
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2007
- Messages
- 418
- Reaction score
- 647
You're asking a lot if you expect even half the posters here to notice something like that.
I just started this book yesterday. Just a few pages in and I'm impressed.
One of the things I would do is to remove the breech plug and find out what is causing the blockage.
ronaldrothb49
45 Cal.
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2021
- Messages
- 846
- Reaction score
- 1,453
He is about 15 miles from me, I left a message to bring it by the shop and I would try to help him. Don't know what else I can do if he doesn't respond.
Sun City
45 Cal.
Clean and retrace the threads with the appropriate threader!
I can't tell if part of the liner is still in there, sure looks like it and drilled. There is never any reason to remove them things unless the hole is shot out. Use the right ball puller. The things they sell will expand a ball so much you will never remove it. Pre drilling a ball works better but use a sleeve on the rod to center the drill. I never have trouble getting a flash in the pan to fire. I just use my pick to work 4F into the touch hole.
