Ignition Problem?

[North River Hunter]

I'm having trouble with ignition with my TC Hawken .54 and Tripple 7 powder. I use musket caps but still won't hardly fire.
Is Tripple 7 harder to ignite than pyrodex?
I might just go to straight black powder...or any
other idea's that might help??

 

[lonehunter]

Everyone here is going to tell you use real bp.It does light better than any of the subs, be sure your flash channel is clear, trip7 should light fine IF it is getting spark from the cap. If the T7 has been exposed to moisture that could be part of the problem, it will go south on you unlike blackpowder. :v

 

[Herb]

You don't need musket caps, but a HotShot nipple should cure your problem, even using standard caps, such as CCI 11. I don't think the Remingtons are any hotter, by my chronographing. Thompson Center Hot Shot Nipple, part No. 7075, is the thing. I have got them at Wal Mart, but Track of the Wolf also sells them. They really do make the difference. I have never found a need for magnum caps.

 

[nchawkeye]

Yes, the ignition temperature for 777 and Pyrodex are higher than real black powder...If you can find it in your area that's your best bet...

 

[R.M.]

Yup, like lonehunter says, take a look at your flash channel. 777 should light off just fine with just about any cap. Do you have a patten breech? It could be plugged. Get her squeaky clean, and I'll bet all your problems will be solved.

 

[Zonie]

I haven't seen any published data that would compare Pyrodex and Triple 7 ignition temperatures but, yes, the others are correct in saying that both of these powders require much hotter temperatures to ignite.

With any traditional percussion rifle there is quite a distance between the bottom of the nipple and the main powder charge in the barrel.

The connecting hole which I call a flame channel often becomes partially plugged with fouling if the gun has been fired several times. If this happens, poor ignition like you describe can happen.

If you don't already have any, I suggest that you go to a Drug Store or a Smoke Shop and buy some old fashioned pipe cleaners. Those fuzzy flexible things used to clean a smoking pipe.

Remove the nipple from your gun and wet a pipe cleaner with water. Then shove it down thru the little angular hole at the bottom of the nipple hole. Make sure it goes all the way into the barrel an inch or so. Then, with some in and out scrubbing any fouling in the flame channel will be removed.

That should cure the problem but there is another thing I should mention.
If your using Triple 7 pellets, that is a large part of the problem.

If your using granular powder your loading method should be as follows:

1. Make sure nothing is on the nipple. Remove any spent cap if present.
Reason: A open path needs to exist to allow the air trapped under the patched ball/bullet to escape.

2. Place the hammer at half cock.
This also assures that nothing is blocking the hole thru the nipple so the trapped air can escape.

3. Pour your measured powder charge down the barrel.

4. Rotate the gun slightly so that the nipple is lower than the barrel and give the side of the stock next to the rear of the barrel a few light slaps with your hand.
This helps the loose powder fall into the flame channel.

5. Ram the patched ball or bullet down the barrel.
Ramming the patched ball/bullet will create air pressure under the projectile. As this trapped air escapes thru the nipple it will blow the loose powder back thru the flame channel until it stops directly under the nipple.

6. Install the percussion cap.

7. Fire the gun.
With the loose powder directly under the nipple it will be ignited instantly creating a flame that passes back into the breech's powder.


If these guidelines are followed and the powder wasn't damaged by water or oil the gun should fire almost as fast as a modern gun.

 

[MSW]

i agree with Zonie- if his suggestions don't work, however, you'll need to switch to plain old black, which is cheaper and works better (although it's harder to get, i think the extra effort is worth it).

 

[J.D.]

Is the powder loose, or in pellet form?

Loose powder should fire fine. Pellets won't. Gotta add a kicker charge before loading the pellets, otherwise, the flame won't reach the pellets.

God bless

 

[David W.]

Good advise on staying away from the pellets. ML's are picky even :barf: , the in-lines. One needs to "tune in" the chage if one desires accuracy. If all else fails, revert back to ol' trusty, real BP. :hatsoff:

 

[North River Hunter]

Thanks a lot,Guys! for your help! I will check
my flash channel to see if it might be dirty.

 

[fm50ford]

I have an Investarms 50 cal Hawkin and I shoot PRB with triple 7 and Rem or CCI #11 caps. Shoots fine every time but the nipple and flash channel must be clean like everyone says.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Yup, like lonehunter says, take a look at your flash channel. 777 should light off just fine with just about any cap. Do you have a patten breech? It could be plugged. Get her squeaky clean, and I'll bet all your problems will be solved.

I agree! Get the rifle really clean, and it will go bang with ANY cap :thumbsup: . That means water pumping in & out of the breech, and then drying the gun and proper lubrication prior to storage. See other threads for more complete info.

Good luck!

Dave

 

[nkbj]

I have one rifle that subs actually clog up. It's a poor design for subs. Made me crazy until it was figured out. Never fails with black. The third shot doesn't go off with subs. Go figure.

 

[William O.]

In addition to all the good advice already given, I highly recommend the bronze nipples by Ampco.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

I wonder if it's the same make & model as Lucas's (Louie B) on the other thread. He cleaned the rifle, switched to real black and now the rifle sort of works every time...has to do a little more intense cleaning to get the rest of the crud out of it, then he'll be O-K. Still has PYRO-CRUD he has to scrape-out I think.

What rifle did you have the problem with?

Dave