Need a Bit of Help With a Faulty Muzzleloader [Fixed!]

[Newkirk]

So, for all you history and gun nuts out there, I'm curious to hear what you folks have to say.

Here's the deal. I have an old .45 percussion cap muzzleloader built from a kit from CVA. It was built sometime in the 70's by my grandfather. He got sick shortly after and was never able to use it much, so it stayed tucked away until August of last year when we got it out, cleaned it up and shot it some. It worked fine for about a month, until it started to misfire. The caps bust, but the powder doesn't ignite. We replaced the nipple and know it isn't stopped up, did some vigorous cleaning and it's as clean as a whistle, always was. Still the problem persists, caps will bust, but the powder will not ignite (Yes, it is clean from the nipple housing into the barrel, nothing to stop the spark). So, the barrel is clean as a whistle, nipple is clear, housing for the nipple is as clean as we can get it. My uncle says he's never had a gun he couldn't fix, but this one's got him stumped. So what do you folks suppose?

Whatever the case I'm building a new one this fall, but I'd still like to hear your thoughts.

[Riddlez]

Did you replace the flint?

[Newkirk]

Doesn't have one. It's a percussion cap, not a flintlock.

[TheBoberton]

Have you tried using different powder and caps? Those are the only things that I think could be causing the issue.

[Newkirk]

Used both # 11 and musket caps, using FFF powder right now which is what it was made for. Powder is relatively new and it will ignite, just not in that gun. Shouldn't be a problem with old powder, first time we got it out we used some powder they had from 40-some years ago, so you would think if that would work then powder less than a year old would work fine.

[TheBoberton]

Aye, I just had to eliminate that possibility.

I haven't had my hands on a percussion musket/rifle in quite some time.. I'm drawing a blank on this one. All I can really suggest is talking to a gunsmith, as he may be able to come up with something.

Good luck with the issue.

[Riddlez]

Perpahs light it with matches and they perhaps you see if it's the hammer.

[TheBoberton]

Perpahs light it with matches and they perhaps you see if it's the hammer.

I.. wouldn't. That's just asking to lose the tips of your fingers if the charge goes off. The hammer keeps that part of the gun more or less sealed when it falls for a reason.

[Riddlez]

Perpahs light it with matches and they perhaps you see if it's the hammer.

I.. wouldn't. That's just asking to lose the tips of your fingers if the charge goes off. The hammer keeps that part of the gun more or less sealed when it falls for a reason.

Hmm, bad idea, perhaps use a lighting cord? Tie it around the ramrod, and fire it that way?

[Newkirk]

You can light it with the cap and hammer, you just have to put powder where powder was not intended to be put. Wondering if the hammer spring is too weak.

[Riddlez]

You can light it with the cap and hammer, you just have to put powder where powder was not intended to be put. Wondering if the hammer spring is too weak.

that's what I was wondering =D

[Newkirk]

You can light it with the cap and hammer, you just have to put powder where powder was not intended to be put. Wondering if the hammer spring is too weak.

that's what I was wondering =D

I think that's the next thing I'm going to check. If that doesn't work... game over.

[Newkirk]

Fixed, used some brake cleaner to finally get whatever was in there out, wasn't quite as clean as we thought, thanks for the input folks.