What is wrong and how do we fix it?

[Blsum]

My cousin just bought a brand now Traditions in-line. PNW edition.  It's a break action gun that has an opening making open to the elements. Therefore legal in washington. The only problem is when we went to shoot it the other day it wouldn't fire after the first time he pulled the trigger. He didn't recap just pulled the hammer back and the next shot it would fire. Is there anyone who has had that problem, or anyone who know's how we might be able to fix this problem. He's planning on hunting with it and doesn't want it to happen again.

[Gobble]

I would check the nipple and make sure the nipple fits the percussion caps correctly. Next, make sure the hammer is hitting the nipple/percussion cap squarely, it may not be hitting it on all sides. You might want to go to a muzzleloader supply place and buy a new nipple and try it out, they are cheap and it could be as simple as that. Also try a different brand of percussion caps, one brand may work better than another, it could even be a faulty batch of caps.

Try these out these suggestions and let me know

[Blsum]

We had two different kinds of caps when we where shooting yesterday. CCI's and Winchester. We noticed that it didn't do it as often with the cci's but it still did it.

[MagKarl]

I've had that happen when the nipple diameter is a little bit too large.  Nipples are usually tapered a bit, and if the diameter is a little big, the cap doesn't get fully seated.  The first hammer fall seats it, then the second fires it off.  Sometimes you can put the nipple in a lathe or drill press and lightly file the outside a tiny bit so the cap will go on further.  Warning, I've ruined nipples by filing too much off.

[tbotts]

Are you using #10 or #11 caps?  I forgot that I needed #11 caps for my nipple and purchased #10 for my shooting session and had the same problem that you described.  1st trigger pull would not ignite, but 2nd pull set it off.

[marc10000]

This is one of the most important things in muzzle loading. This issue has discouraged more hunters than any thing else. You have to get this right if you want to have any success ML hunting. It's not hard, but you have to try different stuff until you find out what works.

I like Remington caps. Some people seat the cap with a wooden dowel. Be careful if you try this, keep it pointed downrange. Good luck

[MountainWalk]

Maybe there was something like dust or oil in the nipple.

[PA BEN]

My cousin just bought a brand now Traditions in-line. PNW edition.  It's a break action gun that has an opening making open to the elements. Therefore legal in washington. The only problem is when we went to shoot it the other day it wouldn't fire after the first time he pulled the trigger. He didn't recap just pulled the hammer back and the next shot it would fire. Is there anyone who has had that problem, or anyone who know's how we might be able to fix this problem. He's planning on hunting with it and doesn't want it to happen again.

Sounds to me that he doesn't have a cap problem. He drops the hammer twice and it goes off. It's eather hammer tenthen, hammer fit as it hits the nipple. Not a cap problem. If it's new take it back and get a new gun. Don't even mess with it.

[marc10000]

Actually light strikes are fairly common. It was something that the Ruger inlines had a problem with. A little tuning and replacing a spring fixed that however. It's hard to be sure giving advice from a keyboard.

[Curly]

Actually light strikes are fairly common. It was something that the Ruger inlines had a problem with. A little tuning and replacing a spring fixed that however. It's hard to be sure giving advice from a keyboard.

I agree..........sounds like a weak spring.

I also agree with PA Ben..........take the rifle back and get a new one.

[dawhunt]

Hi guys been awhile since I've been here.I had the same proplem with both musket and #11 caps seems like the nipples are a little smaller then a couple yrs ago.I'm using the same nipples i did then and the caps (about 1/2) wouldn't fire on the first pull but did on the second.

I put my nipples in a drill and put it in a vice then used emery paper and slowly sanded my nipples down a little untill the caps went on all the way. I would put the nipple in my gun and
fire it if it went 3 out of 3 times it was good !! but remember take the metal off a very little at a time.

I work at sportsman (vancouver) in the hunting section and you would be surprised how many people come in with this proplem.

Bob

[Curly]

I put my nipples in a drill and put it in a vice then used emery paper and slowly sanded my nipples down a little

Ouch......   sounds like that would hurt.    




Thanks for the tip, Bob.  Welcome to the site.

[dawhunt]

Yeah but my gun shoots better