curtism1234 wrote:A nipple pick/wrench should be bought alongside powder, balls, and caps - it's an important tool. I personally would remove it when cleaning the rifle, though many people don't. It screws in on an angle so be careful not to strip the cheap steel.
As long as the threads are correct (and they should be), replace whatever nipple you're using with the CVA Perfect Nipple. It's still your standard #11 but it is a vastly superior product and could be part of your problem. A musket nipple/caps is another option hunters like.
Your problem though is in my opinion 1) not having the correct tools/parts (pick and Perfect Nipple) and 2) you're doing something wrong when swabbing between shots.
Did you get the gun new or used?
The gun was used.
I though a nipple pick was part of the first nipple wrench I picked up - I was mistaken. I take it out and clean it every time I clean the gun, which is every time I shoot the gun. I picked up a "Hot Shot" nipple from Track of the Wolf, but maybe it's not as hot as stated, lol. I'll give the CVA one a try.
So the problem goes something like this...
1) Fire rifle one or two times.
2) Wipe with damp patch and then dry patch
3) Load rifle, cap nipple, pull triggers
4) Nada - no boom
5) Patiently sit for a minute or two
6) Remove and clean nipple - run pipecleaner in as far into the flash hole as I can get it
7) Try another cap - nothing
8) #5 again
9) Remove and clean nipple - run pipecleaner in as far into the flash hole as I can get it - add a few grains of powder under the nipple - replace nipple - recap
10) Pull trigger - slight hang - BOOM
Its happening about on about 2/3 of wipes so I'm inclined to agree its something in my wiping technique.
OR
That fancy breech is mucky from the previous owner.
eelj wrote:When using real black powder it is very important that the lube and cleaning product not have any petroleum in it. Petroleum when heated to 550 degrees and mixed with sulpher turns into asphalt. Very difficult to clean out and will build up. I clean my Plains Rifle after a shoot by removing the barrel and the nipple and sticking it in a bucket of warm water, then use the cleaning rod with the jag and a tight patch like a pump. You will see all kinds of crap shooting into the bucket. When I replace the nipple I give it a lube on the threads with a tiny bit of bees wax.
I clean it with super hot water (with a drop or two of Dawn) - plunging the barrel a decent amount, I dry it off well, hit it with a spritz of Barricade, wipe it down and then coat it with Bore Butter inside and out (not the nipple and flash hole area though). I've also used Hoppe's #9 a few times and that gets wiped out/off thoroughly afterward. I use a wee bit of choke tube lube on the nipple threads after.