So....I'm stupid!

[Sun City]

Made a post few days back concerning problem I was having with my GRRW .54 RB rifle snapping using the caps I had! Seems it was leaving some residue inside the nipple and I was having to pull the nipple and clean out with a punch. Well...as it turned out...part of my problem was I discovered that I had some damp black powder that was the main cause and the other problem was that I have been somewhat STUPID! Stupid to the degree that it took me a while to have it etched across my brain, after I had gotten rid of the damp power to think of SNAPPING a cap through the nipple to clean out the residue!!! I first got involved with BP shooting when I was 18 years age back in 1958 but I enlisted into the military at that time and my time for shooting at that time was that I had been chosen to shoot on the All Army Rifle Team and for the next 45 years, after getting out of the military I continued to shoot NRA High Power Matches and my time for BP was limited! Within the last ten years I've gotten back into the game and am enjoying picking up where I left off so to speak! So if I've ruffled you fellows feathers please forgive me for being somewhat short-sighted about solving what was really a simple problem! At age 83 I've cut myself a little slack!

 

[user 49399]

It happens to all of us

 

[woodsnwater]

Yeah me too. One day I hope to reach ignorant and then maybe 2 bricks shy of a load...

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Don’t worry. Slack is a huge part of the learning curve.

 

[Frosty861]

I've got the T-shirt!

 

[SDSmlf]

please forgive me for being somewhat short-sighted about solving what was really a simple problem!

Only time a problem becomes simple is after you have identified a simple solution. And I have repeatedly found those simple solutions to be difficult to see even when they are right in front of me.

 

[Whitworth]

I think the phrase "keep your powder dry" rings a bell . You found the problem, that's what counts

 

[user 53891]

Made a post few days back concerning problem I was having with my GRRW .54 RB rifle snapping using the caps I had! Seems it was leaving some residue inside the nipple and I was having to pull the nipple and clean out with a punch. Well...as it turned out...part of my problem was I discovered that I had some damp black powder that was the main cause and the other problem was that I have been somewhat STUPID! Stupid to the degree that it took me a while to have it etched across my brain, after I had gotten rid of the damp power to think of SNAPPING a cap through the nipple to clean out the residue!!! I first got involved with BP shooting when I was 18 years age back in 1958 but I enlisted into the military at that time and my time for shooting at that time was that I had been chosen to shoot on the All Army Rifle Team and for the next 45 years, after getting out of the military I continued to shoot NRA High Power Matches and my time for BP was limited! Within the last ten years I've gotten back into the game and am enjoying picking up where I left off so to speak! So if I've ruffled you fellows feathers please forgive me for being somewhat short-sighted about solving what was really a simple problem! At age 83 I've cut myself a little slack!

Sun City, the thing that is great, is that you solved the problem. BTW: you're not stupid, sometimes you just have to step back, take a break, and that's when it hits you. If anyone got their feathers ruffled, I guess they damned well better get over it. Glad you found the problem friend.

 

[jdw276]

You found the problem. I have the same problem with my home brew. Could be moisture? Quality of charcoal? Caps? Oil in the barrel? All part of the fun of muzzleloading. We all have those slap the forehead moments. It only hurts if someone else notices.

 

[Steve Martin]

At 83 and still shooting, brother you are entitled to all the "slack" you need.

 

[Muddly]

Unclean spirits roam, seeking who they may deprive of the joys of musketry...
If there's a better explanation, I'm all ears...

 

[UndeadPoet]

Unclean spirits roam, seeking who they may deprive of the joys of musketry...
If there's a better explanation, I'm all ears...

‘Tis best not to anger “the gentry.”

 

[TDM]

Well, you have kept me from making the same mistake. I now remember that I always snapped a cap before loading back when I hunted a lot. The last few years I’ve been shooting mostly flints and I would have most likely forgotten to do that now. Since I plan to shoot my percussion guns again now I’ll have to re learn.

I once heard someone say “Live and learn, Die and forget it all.”
I forget already.

 

[Notchy Bob]

You solved the problem, and you shared the results! It's all good.

Notchy Bob

 

[Stykbow]

Heck, if not thinking about some powder being damp was the worst thing I did this year I’d call it a win. Come to think of it that’s not even close to the worst thing I’ve done this week. You’re all good, slim.

 

[Rich44]

Sun City,
Thank you for your service.
Your not trying to convince me this is the first mistake in 83 years are you?
Again, Thank you for your service.

 

[russellshaffer]

You found the problem. I have the same problem with my home brew. Could be moisture? Quality of charcoal? Caps? Oil in the barrel? All part of the fun of muzzleloading. We all have those slap the forehead moments. It only hurts if someone else notices.

What are you using for potassium nitrate? If it is stump remover, the formula may have been changed to not include it. I made a couple of batches that wouldn't even burn due to that little detail.

 

[Crockford]

Dang, I just hope I make it to 83 and still know if I have made a mistake. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICES. Glad you figured it out. Good luck and keep shooting...

 

[Sun City]

Thanks guys! I enjoy flint and percussion but both have been somewhat of a curve! My memory is still good.....can still find the way home! Never know.....lightening can strike quickly!! Live every day like your last!!

 

[Ed Pilkington]

Were you Army Sun City? Sept of 1961, Ft. Jackson, Cuban Crisis, 60 lb pack, 10 lb Garand, sweating in a transport, trained to kill or die. We’re you in my convoy? Bet you you knew then how to keep your powder dry. Proud of you my fellow fraternity brother. Many didn’t make it this far. Keep snapping caps to dry the action but also to make sure your bore is clear