Lyman Great Plains .54 caliber

[Carp Commander]

I have been shooting the Lyman Great Plains for several years now. Over the past couple of years I have had several #11 CCI caps fail to fire on the first strike of the hammer. This problem has progress to the point I can now not get a first time ignition but will always get it on the second hammer strike. I have been shooting muzzle for 15 years and have never experienced problems with CCI. It is my opinion that this is a hammer strike issue and not a CCI issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what the problem may be? Is there a spring in the hammer assemble that may not be producing enough energy to strike the cap hard enough?

It ALMOST caused an epic failure yesterday. Fortunately for me the doe just locked up and gave me a second chance.

Thanks

Doug

[Huckleberry]

Your nipple has flattened out. either take a little off with a file (follow the contours and shape it up a little) or buy a new one. They are very cheap. Common problem...

[snowpack]

 
Or what I used to do was shoot it after loading at the start of the morning and then leaving the same cap on figuring the second strike was going to be good.  But I'd recommend what the guy above said.

[bobcat]

I have the same issue with my Lyman Deerstalker. I think I will try putting on a new nipple, which I think I already have a couple extras anyway. I am shooting it tomorrow so I will see how it does. I haven't shot it for a couple years.

The last time I hunted with it I had snuck up on a herd of elk in a clearcut. Had a cow standing behind a small fir tree at 30 yards, looking right at me. Thought I better take the shot before the entire herd takes off. Aimed for the throat, thinking there's no way I will miss at this short distance and she'll drop right there.

Well, of course, the cap didn't fire and they took off. I did manage to get a second shot off at 75 yards but hit her too far back, and it took a couple hours and a half mile of tracking to catch up to her and put a couple more bullets in her before she was done.

[MountainDevil54]

yep, the cap is not fully seating on the nipple. First hammer strike seats it and then the next one goes boom.

6-.75mm thread is what you will use.

[Jonathan_S]

Glad it worked out.  I assume this wasn't in Washington?   

[wadu1]

Replace the nipple, I use Uncle Mike's "Hot Shot" they work great for me. I've noticed the CCI are a little harder and don't always seat well, try RWS caps. 

[Carp Commander]

Glad it worked out.  I assume this wasn't in Washington?   

Yes it is in Washington. I drew an antlerless muzzle tag on Whitcomb Island, south of the Tri-Cities. It opened on the 22nd. 

I have replaced the nipple several times. I put a new one on yesterday prior to leaving the house.

[MountainDevil54]

Another heads up, dont over tighten the lock plate screws. Some times if they are so tight, it pulls the lock into the wood and causes the hammer to slow down, not giving the hammer the strength to hit the cap hard enough.