Why are success rates so low for muzzleloader elk??

[clindsayrun]

Both my brother and I had shot opportunities bulls this fall for muzzle loader elk. 

My brother pulled the trigger and the cap went off, but the charge didn't. Adios bull!!!

Mine was even worse. I actually missed. Reloaded and crept ten yards closer, took a rest on my knee, aimed....and MISSED again. Adios bull!!!

Went back to camp and took an off hand test shot at a soda can at 40 yards and nailed it dead center.

That night while cleaning the rifle I found the problem. My rear sight had been knocked loose and broken.  I had the TruGlo fiber optic sights on the gun. Anyway I had knocked it on a tree or something and broken them. If I touched the rear sight it would move all over. Turn the rifle, the sight would move. Pushed to the right the rifle was dead accurate, any other position I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

I tried to superglue the sight back into place for the remainder of the hunt, but I never had another shot opportunity.

[colockumelk]

I shoot musket caps and even when it has been pouring for hours it still goes off.  Maybe try going to musket caps.  When I used to use #11's I had many problems.  One time I had a doe at 15 yds and the cap didn't even go off.  I tried twice and it still didn't go off.  As for the hunting seasons since for ML's the seasons suck I switched to archery and have never looked back.  I love it.  I'm thinking about going west so I can have a chance at a branch bull and not just a stupid spike.  Which I saw two last year and tried to call them in but a branch bull chased them off both times.  Had a nice 6X6 20 yds away broadside. 

[fishunt247]

I shoot musket caps as well. Have never had a problem...unless you consider having the rear safety on my knight screw itself back on during my 100 yard crawl. I pulled the trigger, all I got was click. Luckily the buck just stood there, confused. I think I can thank the wind on that one for covering the sound and making all sagebrush move, covering my movement.

[colockumelk]

That happened to my dad once. He had an elk come in and he forgot to unscrew that safety.  So all that happened was a "thunk".  Unfortunately for him it was only 20 yds and didn't stand there confused.