Just something I do.

[Osage]

As an added measure of confidence that the "first shot" is instantaneous, such that Mr Big Buck doesn't spook and/or Mr Boar doesn't charge due to failed or slow ignition. O'yes the capped nipple and charged bore are always dry and super clean, however I also fill the clean out screw hole with powder, as a result I never have; a snap, snap boom or kaa boom, its just boom. Obviously this is a "one shot" game.

 

[necchi]

Me too,, but I don't mess with the "clean out screw".
I charge and seat as normal,, then just pull the nipple and look,, I usually trickle a tiny amount in the nipple hole, give it few taps making sure there's visible powder in that flash channel and re-install the nipple.

This practice does not apply to flintlock, that's a whole nuther ball game.

 

[Carbon 6]

I just clean the barrel with alcohol prior to loading, making sure alcohol shoots out the nipple when I run a parched jag down the barrel. I also tap the powder in that direction before seating the ball.
I have pulled the nipple and checked in the past but no longer. I have never had a problem if alcohol shoots out the nipple.
Works for me.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Carbon 6, when I was a kid in the 1950s and read the gun safety publications, I didn't know what they meant when they said guns and alcohol don't mix. I tried to image how you got alcohol into a cartridge for a suppository firearm. Now you go and say they do mix. Finally my question is answered.

 

[Carbon 6]

Funny!..

 

[George]

All those rituals are just something I don't.

Spence

 

[Juice Jaws]

I don't also

 

[hanshi]

I just charge, cap and shoot. Seems to always go off "right now"!

 

[necchi]

Well I'm glad all you guy's above have never had a miss-fire while hunting.
You've all had exceptional luck,

 

[George]

You've all had exceptional luck,

If you'll stop depending on luck your luck will improve.

Spence

 

[shane a gress]

If you'll stop depending on luck your luck will improve.

Spence

Chance favors the prepared mind. Not sure who said it or where I read it.

 

[necchi]

, Your right,, but fool me once,,,

 

[Carbon 6]

Well I'm glad all you guy's above have never had a miss-fire while hunting.
You've all had exceptional luck,

Oh I have, but I have always been able to diagnose the problem.
Things like; no powder at all, bad cap, cap stuck in the hammer, cap fell off, mushroomed nipple, cap not on all the way, didn't clean the gun well enough prior to loading, gun is heavily fouled, etc.

I have noticed that some breeches can be prone to misfires, patent breeches like the T/C in particular, I have one that has a very small hole between the bolster area and the main charge.

 

[Carbon 6]

If you'll stop depending on luck your luck will improve.

Spence

Someone should put that in a fortune cookie.

 

[Idaholewis]

Here is my method for preparing a Sidelock for Hunting. I have yet to have a Hangfire when i take the time and Prepare my Rifle properly

 

[SDSmlf]

Myself, after cleaning, flood with WD40, followed with high pressure air from bob muzzle and breech. Store muzzle down. If going hunting or stored less than 48 hours since cleaning, flush with alcohol before leaving for range or hunting land. Load at range or hunting land.

If at hunting camp, clean fouled barrel by flushing with the hottest water (not the least bit concerned about flash rust while at hunting camp) I can find followed with alcohol at the end of the day. Load in the morning.

Curious why flint shooters worry about fuse effect with full pan, but here we suggest filling fire channel with powder???

I want a lean clear dry open fire channel.

 

[Tb54]

Chance favors the prepared mind. Not sure who said it or where I read it.

The bad guy in “Under Siege two”

 

[Captjoel]

As I dropped the hammer down upon my rifle's capped nipple, carefully aimed at the big bucks vitals. The pop of the cap without report from the main charge sent the meandering stag off and away in great haste.

I could hear the voice of Chief Dan George in the back of my mind saying, "Oh great stag. Go in peace. It is not your day to die."

 

[FishDFly]

I do like the quote from Chief Dan George, it is fitting.

Some days, stuff happens and not always for the bad.

 

[Osage]

Interesting number and content of responses, in the many years I've hunted with muzzle loaders everything that can happen has happened, thus I do everything to prevent a revisit of history.