What is the main reason for a mis-fire?

[manni7mm]

Just curious what folks think out there... 

[lokidog]

I chose operator error though I did have a gun that often would not go boom even after doing everything right.  It was a poor design.

[Sabotloader]

Just curious what folks think out there...

I have been at this awhile, not that others haven't, and I hate to call it operator error, but that is where my vote went.  Shooting a ML sucessfully time after time requires a learning curve - it just doesn't happen. 

There are things you can do help your chances and of course there things that you might not do that decrease your chances...

In todays world with the proper care of your equipment and your education - weather should never be a factor.

Age of your powder or caps should not be a factor if they are stored correctly.  Heck I am shooting powder from 2008 and I would bet my RWS #11 Mag caps are 10 years old...

I do most things wrong in a lot of people book but I am confident of what I am doing and have worked on it for years to gain that confidence -

Here is a short write I did awhile back... the load was ignited with a very mild 209 primer - but I could have switched out the 209 for a #11 Mag cap and would have felt just as confident..

Just some history... And most of it was done not according to hoyle...

The rifle is an Knight Mountaineer - 50 cal, on October 5th I ran to the farm with the rifle and shot 3 shots to check POI and to fire foul the barrel.  I brought it home, ran one moist windex patch both sides.  Dryed the bore with fresh patches.

Next the gun was loaded on October 8th or 9th - 120 grains T7-2f, with a Bloodline .458-300 bullet in a red Knight sabot.

Hunting season opened October 10 and most everyday or couple of days from there after it has been in the field hunting.  I will indicate for the most part the weather has been decent.  But there have been cold wet days also.

The gun has been placed in the truck in the morning and after each hunt.  Hauled to and from the hunt sight in that method - It has come in out of the house each trip with no special care.

Somewhere around the second week of the hunting season when the weather was going foul - I did also run a very slightly oiled (Montana X-Treme Bore Conditioner) down to the the top of the bullet just to add a bit of protection to the bore.

Today after a morning hunt in the snow as we were passing the Strychnine Gravel Pile... I decided I would touch the gun off just to verify what I really thought I knew - but 28 days later it was time.  We stopped and I placed a very mild Remington 209-4 primer in the bolt.  Then I picked out a spot on the bank behind the gravel pile - Larry ranged it at 104 yards.  I leaned over the hood of the pickup - placed the crosshairs of the Leupold on the spot and touched the gun off.  Boom!!! - and smoke.  It really did feel right but I had know idea if I hit where I was suppose to but Larry was watching through his by-nocs and called it a hit.

I am now repeating the process and about to drop the powder down the bore for the next hunt, which is tomorrow morning...



I really do feel confident in this process with T7 powder - not sure about any other sub other than BH.  I do not think that T7 sucks up the moisture near as much as some would have you believe.

Here is another weather test.... if you might be interested.

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/black-powder/173875-conclusion-nother-weather-test.html

[Kowsrule30]

I'm going with poor prep and maintaining... With prep I also include keeping it dry.... With the products we have today there's no reason why your powder can't stay dry... I use tape...      

[Kioti]

I'm going with poor prep and maintaining... With prep I also include keeping it dry.... With the products we have today there's no reason why your powder can't stay dry... I use tape...      

Yuppers to that one.  My second choice would be bad caps. 
But the main thing is keeping it all clean and free of gunk!  I shoot musket caps, and  have never had a miss fire.

[rosies or bust]

The plain and simple truth is operator error. If you are not detail minded, muzzleloader hunting is not for you. Poor caps and bad powder is just an excuse for not being prepared. If you have taken the time to shoot your m/l prior to ever hunting with it, you should be able to eliminate ALL variables other than weather. By that I mean, you know what your gun likes in terms of the load and caps and the like. It all boils down to preparation. In the 12 years I have been m/l hunting, I have had exactly ONE misfire: it was operator error. I live on the Wetside, and had a 130 class blacktail at 40 yards. Pop! No boom! Yep, you guessed it: wet powder. Novice that I was, I thought no way could water get pass my bullet. This is a mistake I have never repeated. I always pack some sort of material to keep water out of the bore. Muzzle hatz or the T/C little balloons are my choice. Paying attention to all the little details makes for the best opportunities. Have I thoroughly cleaned my gun, are my speedloaders capped 100%, do I have dry caps (I shoot the German musket caps, supposedly waterproof), where are my muzzle hatz, etc., etc.? Being prepared has made the biggest difference for my successes. Think about how the hunters and trappers of the 1800s survived. Those guys HAD to be ready and knew what poor weather could do.  Be thankful for the modern m/l and props to the guys who do well with the flint and side hammer guns.

[Limhangerslayer]

I believe operator error is the main factor.  This year for the late whitetail I brought up a new pack of # 11 caps that I never opened or shot.  Day  before season an hour from any store at eight at night I find out they all were duds.  Long story short I shot musket caps on my # 11  nipple all week and killed my buck that way.

[Griiz]

I believe operator error is the main factor.  This year for the late whitetail I brought up a new pack of # 11 caps that I never opened or shot.  Day  before season an hour from any store at eight at night I find out they all were duds.  Long story short I shot musket caps on my # 11  nipple all week and killed my buck that way.

Just curious, what brand (magnum or normal)

[Limhangerslayer]

Cci magnums.

[Sabotloader]

I believe operator error is the main factor.  This year for the late whitetail I brought up a new pack of # 11 caps that I never opened or shot.  Day  before season an hour from any store at eight at night I find out they all were duds.  Long story short I shot musket caps on my # 11  nipple all week and killed my buck that way.

There is a good chance your nipple might be peened if it would not fire the #11's.  Not saying the caps might not be bad but I have never had a problem with the CCI - mags or regular and I hate to think how old mine might be...

[MountainDevil54]

what happens when you load, cap and fire the gun and just get a pop... Remove nipple and there is powder in the bolster?! That one still makes me beat my head against a wall.

Use hotter caps/primers if the #11's dont cut it for you.

[Limhangerslayer]

I believe operator error is the main factor.  This year for the late whitetail I brought up a new pack of # 11 caps that I never opened or shot.  Day  before season an hour from any store at eight at night I find out they all were duds.  Long story short I shot musket caps on my # 11  nipple all week and killed my buck that way.

There is a good chance your nipple might be peened if it would not fire the #11's.  Not saying the caps might not be bad but I have never had a problem with the CCI - mags or regular and I hate to think how old mine might be...

No, they were bad caps.   Could  fire other # 11 just fine.