OT--Another Muzzle Loader Question

[8N'r--WI]

Hi all---been hunting with muzzle loaders since early 70"s. It has always been recommended to shoot a few caps off before loading the rifle to clear any debris out of the nipple area and/or to dry any oil/moisture out of the barrel.

I was just wondering if everybody does this procedure? Is this really necessary or just an extra precautionary measure if you are unsure if your barrel is dry/clean?

Thanks---Tim

 

[scooter01922]

I suppose if you'r using authentic caps it might be a decent idea, but if your shooting with the 209's i don't think it's really needed. Those suckers have some real heat and if you store your gun carefully i can't imagine enough crud building up that the 209 won't just blast on through.

 

[old]

I always do just before I load the guns up. I also clean out the holes in each nipple before and after firing off the caps
Hobby farm

 

[Anonymous-0]

Enlighten me! What is a 209? How are they different from CCI #11s?

 

[scooter01922]

Most inline black powder rifles these days come with a provision to use 209 shotgun primers. They pack a lot more bang than any #11 percussion cap, reliable ignition almost every time.

 

[mnjoe]

209 is a shotgun primer. #11 are real small...musket caps are larger. Some people use rifle primers with adapters.

 

[dandeere]

First time out, I run a couple dry patches, then 3 caps. I like the German ones that have the crimping and green inside. They burn clean, no duds, and they stay on. I carry a gas welder tip cleaner to clean the nipple if shot alot. Also center the ball on the patch with the spruce mark on the powder! Dan

 

[dandeere]

I just recalled that if you point the barrel down by some leaves or grass when you shoot the caps you can judge how clean the nipple is. Later Dan

 

[Walt Davies]

Been shooting black powder for nigh on to 40 years now and I never had to clean a nipple I clean the gun out when I'm though shooting it and then oil it very lightly and put it back in the box. Alway use #11 caps on my Navy Colt and wax on top of the bullets to keep them from cross firing. didn't do that one time and had 3 rounds go aff at the same time, make a hell of a mess.
Walt

 

[Randy-IA]

The main reson I've always gone by is two fold , first is what you said , and then if you forgot to make sure the barrel was empty of all unburned powder it'll do that . But I use only blackpowder not pyrodex or pellets and mine are not inlines . I'm a re-enactor ( buckskinner ) so my smokepoles are flintlocks and the old style #11 caplocks with spitpatched roundballs . I don't shoot much anymore haven't for years . I still have a couple of flintlocks and a old Navy arms ships captain rifle repro's and some flintlock and cap type pistol repro's . Still have a horn full of powder around here somewhere . I used to start my campfire with my muzzleloaders , Just put a piece of homemade charcloth over a couple grains of XXX and cover with a dry patch and fire straight up into the air , catch the char as it comes back down with some dry tinder in your hand and wave it around till you get a flame , put it in a previously built teepee of very small twigs and fan it till the flame speads a little and then slowly add larger material . Only needed on wet days when you forgot your flint and steel ( or those real modern magnesium thingys ) or your matches got wet ...Randy

 

[souNdguy]

I do as dandeer does.. except i use a real nipple pick.. etc.

soundguy

 

[RayP(MI)]

My inline uses #11, have had no problems with misfires at all. Son's inline uses musket caps, again no problems. I learned the firing to clean nipple passages on sidelocks in a 4-H training session. Sidelocks (where nipple and hammer are offset to the side) have been a problem for us, in the 4-H training programs. Firing a cap or two to see the passage is clear is a good idea. If you aim barrel at ground, you will see the dirt, leaves, etc. disturbed, as an indication the passage is clear.

 

[Idaho Ron]

When I put mine away I clean them good and oil them in and out. When I go to load I run a dry patch down them and fire two or three caps. I look for a burnt spot on the end to make sure the oil is cleared out. I use #11 mag caps. Ron

 

[BobinKY]

It's not the crud build-up that I worry about so much as the nipple grease I use to keep the threads from binding. I always shoot a few caps before I load the gun to hunt. It gives me piece of mind if nothing else.