.54 Sidelock Help - Cabelas Hawken

[luvmystang67]

Okay, so I'm getting ready for my elk hunt.  I've only shot one deer with this rifle and it went pretty well that time.

Here's my issue.  I changed the sights out for a tang mounted peep and a hooded sight up front.  I actually really like my sight set up. 

Problem is, last 4 times out, 3 of them I had misfires.  I even swab the barrel before I shoot, pop a few caps through and clean the nipple.  Once I've shot one, I can shoot 20 in a row without a hiccup (swabbing between shots).  I use musket caps.

I used to have a cheap inline and had no idea what I was doing and used No. 11 primers and NEVER had a problem.  At this point, I'm strongly considering purchasing an inline before my Upper Smith Creek bull hunt to avoid "pop". 

A secondary issue is that I cannot find .54 ammo anywhere.  As I get it sighted in I run out of any ammo I have.  Does anyone know any stores that actively carry .54 powerbelts right now?  I'm running out of time.

One last headache, I sighted it in wearing muffs, but I switched to ear plugs last time and my point of impact was up probably 4".

Oh yeah, and sometimes I run my cleaning swab down and it gets stuck on the way back up.  WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!?! I need 2 people and a pair of channel locks to yank it out.  Seriously... considering going back to the inline.

 

[Patarero]

Maybe I am wrong but I think there are just some caps that just come out bad.  Just curious, if you leave the cap on and drop the hammer again, does it fire?

No clue on ammo, it is rare that I actually find ammo I want (center fire or mz) in a store these days.  I would be putting an order in right now and using fedex for delivery.

Suction.  This happens with my rifle.  If the nipple is not clear and partially clogged a wet patch will act like a plunger, making it very difficult to pull out.  I have found that running a wet patch down only about 1/2-3/4 of the barrel on the first pass will avoid the issue on my rifle.  Once air can move through the system you shouldn't have an issue pulling it back out.  Might be a different issue with your gun though.

[luvmystang67]

Yeah, mine aren't suction.  Its like my patch gets bunched up and caught.

Also, are there like "powder chambers" in these?  When I run a copper brush down it necks down towards the base.  Maybe that is where my patch is getting caught?

I'm thinking about putting a little powder under my nipple for first shot... How bad of an idea is that?

[T-Bone]

It may relate to your method of cleaning. Never use modern petroleum based oils when cleaning; they react with black powder and BP substitutes to produce rust. Cock the hammer; remove the stock pin and take off the barrel. Use a nipple wrench and remove the nipple. In a small bucket, put boiling water and a small (drop or two) of dish washing soap; toss the nipple in and put the barrel nipple hole down into the water. With a shotgun-type cleaning rod; dampen a patch and start working it from the muzzle to slosh out the barrel. Remove the barrel and the nipple from the water; if you used boiling water; they will be amazingly dry. Run a few dry patches down the barrel and of course, dry off the exterior of the barrel and the nipple. Coat a clean patch with T/C Bore Butter or Tradition's Lube 1000 and run it up and down the bore. Wipe down the exterior of the gun with same; re-assemble and re-attach the nipple after a light application of the lube on only the threads and a peek to the light to make sure it is clear. Your use of a brass brush destroys the seasoning of the bore and I would only use it on a neglected gun. The sticking maybe from the brass brush destroying the seasoning.

The above process is actually fairly quick; however, with any BP firearm, you need to clean it ASAP after shooting. I've shot a traditional T/C Hawken-type muzzleloader for decades with #11 caps and Pyrodex RS Select and never had a misfire by strictly staying to the above.

As to .54 cal Powerbelt bullets, try Cabela's, Sportco or on-line; my local White Elephant in Spokane Valley had a good supply recently. They and Lyman Great Plains bullets shoot very well out of my .54 and are still being made. Better luck and good hunting.

Tom

[zike]

When I shot a side lock I would put a little powder behind the nipple when hunting. I also used to hold the gun at an angle and tap on the stock by the lock to get the powder in the tube behind the nipple. I never swab the barrel between shots, Most guns will shoot POA without cleaning.

[luvmystang67]

Okay, thanks for the input.  I'll try to ensure powder behind the nipple for first shot and see how that does.

Anyone know of places near Everett that sell .54?

Cabelas has usually only had round balls...

Also, will my .54 bullets fit in a .50 speed loader?

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Tick Tock Tick Tock Look At The Clock??? Hunt is so close and yet we are still playing around with our toys???      Hope you get this figured out fast! Your time to dive into the Nasyest Brushyest Canyons soaking wet from head to toe for multiple days is coming fast!

[Harleysboss]

Your gun has a small chamber at the breech area and the powder has to filter and settle into this chamber for the fire from your cap to set it off. Before shooting or loading for the range or hunting try running a 91% alcohol patch down the bore, followed by a dry patch. Also take the nipple out and clean the flash channel. Now let the alcohol evaporate and leave a clean dry oil free barrel. Before putting the nipple back on blow some air down the barrel. You should be able to hear it exiting the drum where the nipple goes.  If you hear moisture then things are not dry yet. My lyman rifle is similar to yours and the powder chamber in the breech is I think a 38cal. I use a 38 pistol brush to clean down in side it. Before loading you can still pop a  cap or two just to make sure the flash channel is nice and clear/dry.   What powder are you using? 3f may be better than 2f it will settle down in the breech better. I also give my rifle several good slaps on the side of the lock area to settle the powder and get it started toward the drum/cap. Muzzle loaders are like women..gotta treat um right.  OH Ya I Agree with the other poster from above...with that tag why are we waiting till now to work out the bugs..buy ammo..think about new rifles etc.  Good Luck on killing a nice bull.

[luvmystang67]

Your gun has a small chamber at the breech area and the powder has to filter and settle into this chamber for the fire from your cap to set it off. Before shooting or loading for the range or hunting try running a 91% alcohol patch down the bore, followed by a dry patch. Also take the nipple out and clean the flash channel. Now let the alcohol evaporate and leave a clean dry oil free barrel. Before putting the nipple back on blow some air down the barrel. You should be able to hear it exiting the drum where the nipple goes.  If you hear moisture then things are not dry yet. My lyman rifle is similar to yours and the powder chamber in the breech is I think a 38cal. I use a 38 pistol brush to clean down in side it. Before loading you can still pop a  cap or two just to make sure the flash channel is nice and clear/dry.   What powder are you using? 3f may be better than 2f it will settle down in the breech better. I also give my rifle several good slaps on the side of the lock area to settle the powder and get it started toward the drum/cap. Muzzle loaders are like women..gotta treat um right.  OH Ya I Agree with the other poster from above...with that tag why are we waiting till now to work out the bugs..buy ammo..think about new rifles etc.  Good Luck on killing a nice bull.

I started a while ago.  I've put 40 rounds through it in the last few days.  I thought that I could fix any concerns I had with being more diligent.  I'm using Pyrodex P (FFF) currently.  The misfire thing is the real bummer.  I thought by swabbing and snapping a few caps in it that I'd be able to nix the issue.  Turning out not to be that good.  The only reason I'm looking to buy ammo is that I'm shooting through my stock more than I though I would.  I only get to experience the "first shot misfire" once per shooting session and unfortunately I no longer live in an area where I can shoot out my back door.

Thanks for your suggestions.  I think I can lick this thing.  More shooting tonight.  I know where some 348 grain powerbelts are.  I've got the hard part done... the elk are located.  Just want to make sure this thing goes off.  I feel solid already at 100 yards, I just want ot feel solid beyond that and ensure my gun goes off.

 

[D-Rock425]

Misfire on film will be sweet  

[Rooster1981]

That's a tuff deal,
I shoot the same gun, but I load APP fff with 430 grn maxi balls from Track of the wolf. They ship fast and have good prices . APP is a nice clean burning powder, which I have had great results with.  . Not that this is of much help since your hunt had has already started.  I too always put a few grains under the nipple and I use the 10.75 German caps they give off a real nice spark. The only time I get a ramrod stuck is when the barrel is too dry. Like said before if you are too aggressive with your  cleaning and remove the coating in the barrel a dry patch will almost always get stuck in the chamber. IMO the chamber in these rifles must be somewhat rough NOT smooth. So a dry patch on a rough surface would likely get stuck.
 When I clean I use t/c 1000 and really soak the patch I'll even dribble it down the barrel until it runs out the nipple. then just run the patches until clean then bore butter real good, repeat with a couple dry patches just to remove excess bore butter. before loading just make sure the chamber is 100% dry of the t/c 1000.  I very rarely have to use a brass brush. In ten years with my cabelas hawken I've only had one miss fire because of old standard cci #11 caps. since then I only use the magnums or German caps.