Frustrating Afternoon

[Machias]

So I got a new muzzle loader a couple of months ago and just took it out tonight to shoot for the first time.  Loaded 120 gr and a new Barnes Spitfire TMZ and could NOT get the damn thing to fire.  I had changed the nipple to a musket nipple and I'm using RWS caps and nothing.  And now I can't get the bullet puller I have to bite into the barnes to pull the dang thing...so  I still can't figure out why I could not get ignition.  Very frustrating.    

[50CalJim]

I assume its a inline, Mine wouldn't fire until I adjusted the "Hammer throw" so it would strike the cap with enough force to ignite it. Might want to check that.

[stumprat]

Moist powder

[washelkhntr]

I would check to make sure your nipple isn't clogged. Could be a powder issue as adnahoundsman said.  I have had this happen before with a sidelock and had to prime the nipple to get it to light off. 

[carpsniperg2]

yep check the flash hole going threw the nipple. that causes a lot of problems if something from the cap gets in there and blocks the fire. then no bang. next would be the powder maybe wet to much moisture then maybe the caps them selves are bad.

[stumprat]

I would check to make sure your nipple isn't clogged. Could be a powder issue as adnahoundsman said.  I have had this happen before with a sidelock and had to prime the nipple to get it to light off. 

 
Good advise.

Pull the nipple and clean it whether it looks clean or not.
Second question would be: Did the cap snap at the time of the miss fire? It could be a cap issue. But if it did spark or snap. It should be enough to ignite good powder.
Third question: Are you using loose powder or pellets? If you are using pellets. They pick up moisture from your hands very easily. But more importantly. If you seat the bullet too hard and crack a pellet they have a tendency to not ignite.
If you are using loose powder. I would suspect moisture.
Hope this helps

[Machias]

Nipple was open and clear, powder was a brand new can, opened on site and poured directly into a flask, and then right into powder measurer.  Caps were brand new german musket caps and fired off.  It has to be the gun.  Powder was dry, caps were good and the nipple was open.  What I couldn't do after I pulled the nipple was get any powder to trickle down, so I'm assuming there is a blockage from the barrel to the area below the nipple.  Oh and it was loose powder.  I appreciate all the thoughts and suggestions.  Any ideas, other than a C02 cartridge for blowing out a Barnes TMZ?

[Machias]

P.S.  However when I poured water down the barrel I had plenty of water and powder coming out where the nipple screws in, so I should have had powder being able to get down in there.  Hmmmm

[ML_Hunter]

When you do get the bullet out...try shooting a powder load prior to loading the bullet.  Normally first thing I do when I shoot is poor 100 Grains down the bore, pack it down, and fire just the powder.  This does two things. 
1) makes sure your gun will fire just fine.
2) if there is light moisture in the bore it should dry it out.
I know it dosent help now...but it may in the future.  Good luck with it, hope you can get your bore cleared.

[rasbo]

good luck fred,anyway there might have been some oil or something in the barrel?Or did ya clean it before you decided to fire it..

[Whitelightning]

When you poured the water down the barrel and it came out the breach was there any powder residue with it? The water should not have been clear if it was traveling through powder

[Machias]

Thanks guys, good idea ML Hunter, I'll do that WHEN I get the bullet out.     I did clean it before and ran a couple of patches down there just prior to loading the powder.  Yep powder and water came out of the nipple.  I'm was thinking last night maybe I got some bore butter plugged in the hole that connects the barrel and the area under the nipple (what is that called, breech?)  Might have had that spot clogged, that's the only thing I can think of.  Thanks for all the suggestions, I appreciate it!

[Blsum]

So what kind of gun is it. I have seen a couple reasons why a gun wouldn't go off. The first reason is a buddy was cleaning his gun in the field. He inadvertently used two patches when he was cleaning and one of the patches came off in the barrel. Thus causing a blockage that the fire couldn't get past. He ended up stripping his gun down and pulling it out. The other is when another buddy used to much bore butter and clogged the nipple. Effectively creating a plug. From the sounds of it you might have a sidelock. If you do have an inline then just pull the gun apart and push out the blockage. If not then you might have to get that nifty little co2 jobby. Good luck and let us know what it was.

[buckhorn2]

After cleaning mine I always fire 3 caps off before I load my gun this has always helped not have misfires because it does;nt take much to foul the nipple.

[spottedhand]

If you do use CO2 make sure you are in a safe environment, a safe backstop such as a dirt bank.  I found out the hard way, and pointed into a trash can.  It discharged and went through the can, and embedded at least an inch into the 2x4 in the wall.  I had no idea it was designed to blow the projectile out with such force.  Thank god it did not go completely through the wall and hit my 'gas' furnace.  It seems as though the bore butter is a good theory.  Another may be if you either cleaned your gun with a solvent which can soak into the powder.  My hunting partners just couldn't believe the hot soapy water method and cleaned their guns like modern rifles.  Misfires everytime,  even with a new rifle your should at least pop a couple of caps to start but also pick the nipple after popping the caps.  Just to remove any debris from the nipple.