Dry Seated ball
- Thread starter cloud8a
- Start date
I did that a couple of times but it wouldn't work. I'm sure I was not putting enough.
If the tip of the nipple is bent due to prolonged contact with the hammer over 25 years how will that effect the gun with hang fires, not firing one time and then firing the next?
If the tip of the nipple is bent due to prolonged contact with the hammer over 25 years how will that effect the gun with hang fires, not firing one time and then firing the next?
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Bishop Creek
New member
I had that happen to me once with my flintlock rifle. It had a 48" Getz swamped barrel and I could NOT get it out with a ball puller. Finally, slowly poured enough 4fg powder through the touch hole to fire it out. What a pain!
That can have a huge effect. It's more likely, however, that after 25 years the flash channel in the nipple is seriously eroded and enlarged, to the point where the combustion gas from the cap is dispersed and cooled off before reaching the main charge.
Change the nipple. They're about $3.
Not sure which nipple is which...but yes, a large flash channel is initially to be suspect in cases of intermittent hang fires. There are many other factors, however, including the distance (and direction) from the nipple face to the main charge, fouling in the channel, etc.
It is possible to get the channel too small, also, to where it disrupts the gas flow instead of concentrating it.
Never said it was simple. But, in general, when you have a nipple that's been in service for a long time and seen it's share of use, and the gun starts having misfires, the nipple flash channel certainly must be considered as the cause.
It is possible to get the channel too small, also, to where it disrupts the gas flow instead of concentrating it.
Never said it was simple. But, in general, when you have a nipple that's been in service for a long time and seen it's share of use, and the gun starts having misfires, the nipple flash channel certainly must be considered as the cause.
What i mean is the hole in my damaged nipple looks more like other nipples i have seen. The ipple i took of the rifle that has never been fired has a significantly larger hole or flash channel. It has zero narrowing design.
That is comforting to hear though. I was getting alot of spark coming out of the nipple that i thought should actually going into it. I have a musket nipple coming in the mail. Hooefully this will eleviate the problem. I was having misfires about every other attempt.
Also i used remington no. 11 caps. More than once i had to hit them twice to get ignition.
I have to say having you guys available is really a help.
That is comforting to hear though. I was getting alot of spark coming out of the nipple that i thought should actually going into it. I have a musket nipple coming in the mail. Hooefully this will eleviate the problem. I was having misfires about every other attempt.
Also i used remington no. 11 caps. More than once i had to hit them twice to get ignition.
I have to say having you guys available is really a help.
"Dry Balling"
I usually just use the screw jag method to clear this as well. Quite often, during some of our training classes, we purposely create a dry-ball condition just to demonstrate the process.
Losing the cone or mushrooming of your nipple will give you more than your share of hang-fires. I usually replace the nipple and restore the cone back to it's straight walls.
Be Safe !!!
May sound strange but if you have been at this for any length of time, Dry-Ball will happen. Initially the problem you have is not getting a deep enough bite with your screw jag. Then you have to make sure you have a rod that will take the torque. I have gotten in the habit of makeing 6- quarter or short turns and that works for me every time. Now, a mis-fire is a different story and there are a number of ways to clear this, powder under the nipple is one. ..
I usually just use the screw jag method to clear this as well. Quite often, during some of our training classes, we purposely create a dry-ball condition just to demonstrate the process.
Losing the cone or mushrooming of your nipple will give you more than your share of hang-fires. I usually replace the nipple and restore the cone back to it's straight walls.
Be Safe !!!
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YARDDOG(1)
New member
A CO2 Charge that fits over the nipple will empty it ; )
Y/D
Y/D
I did that about a year ago. The clean out screw is just shy of being stripped so I do not have a good flat head to turn it anymore (it was in bad shape when I got it). I called Deer Creek and asked them about a new drum. They told me that the drum should not be removed and the drums are sold only with the barrel as one piece. Seems like I remember pulling the drum off a year ago and cleaning all that out, I'm sure I did.
I'm getting a new musket nipple and maybe that will solve the problem. If it doesn't do you guys think it is a dirty drum problem?
Here are pics of the nipple.
This was before I cleaned the gun after the range.
Most of the time the cap goes off on the first strike but the gun does not fire. One out of 3-4 times the cap does not go off. The cap is loose on it though. Several times when I would set the cap on the nipple with my thumb the cap would stick to my thumb and come back off when I pulled my thumb away.
At first I wrote this off as not very good caps. This is all 1st time stuff for me.
Can that bend in the nipple head cause lack of fire going down the nipple hole coupled with the caps not seating properly?
At first I wrote this off as not very good caps. This is all 1st time stuff for me.
Can that bend in the nipple head cause lack of fire going down the nipple hole coupled with the caps not seating properly?
OK well I will see what happens. Ill have a new standard nipple on stand by if the musket nipple does not work out.
First things first though I have got to remember that the gun will never fire a well seated ball without powder. Lesson hopefully learned.
Thanks for all the help with my questions. It wont be the last time though. around my house my family sometimes calls me an ask hole. I always tell them "Hey that's how I know so much, I have been asking constant questions since I was wee high".
I remember one of the first questions I asked my dad, "Daddy, how do you remember how to get to grandma and papaws house?", he always answered ,"I just do son."
My dads answers were never satisfactory which conceived my habit.
First things first though I have got to remember that the gun will never fire a well seated ball without powder. Lesson hopefully learned.
Thanks for all the help with my questions. It wont be the last time though. around my house my family sometimes calls me an ask hole. I always tell them "Hey that's how I know so much, I have been asking constant questions since I was wee high".
I remember one of the first questions I asked my dad, "Daddy, how do you remember how to get to grandma and papaws house?", he always answered ,"I just do son."
My dads answers were never satisfactory which conceived my habit.
Rifleman1776
New member
Nothing left to add, good advice given.
But, I'll definitely ditto the "replace the nipple" advice. And make sure your caps fit the new nipple.
OK, I will add some advice. When loading try to avoid distractions, focus on the procedure. Do it the same way each time and develop a rythm. At ranges when people walk up and engage the shooter in conversation, that is invariably when dry balls happen. The rythm was broken and the loader distracted.
But, I'll definitely ditto the "replace the nipple" advice. And make sure your caps fit the new nipple.
OK, I will add some advice. When loading try to avoid distractions, focus on the procedure. Do it the same way each time and develop a rythm. At ranges when people walk up and engage the shooter in conversation, that is invariably when dry balls happen. The rythm was broken and the loader distracted.
Truer words were never spoken and it happens all the time. This is one reason why during our classes, we normally have one loader and that is all he does. Another at the line with the students and a third, keeping an eye over everyone. At any time we may have up to 15-students that shoot once and some double back. .....
Be Safe !!!