knight muzzle loader (mis-fires)

wildwood477 · July 18, 2008, 05:05 PM

My friend just got a new knight in 50 cal. sometimes it fires and sometimes not, primers seem ok, weapon cleaned well, when it does fire there is quite a lapse in time after the primer goes off and the rifle itself fires. Anyone have any ideas

hillbille · July 18, 2008, 06:53 PM

wildwood what kind is it? inline, sidelock, rollingblock, ect. My first guess would be grease in the breechplug, or nipple. or even bad powder, moist or wet, or even bad primers. most hang fires are from dirty guns or wet powder. this is just a wild guess for now, till we can get a little more info. did he clean it good first, how many shots till the misfires and hangfires?

wildwood477 · July 19, 2008, 06:57 AM

this is and inline rifle and was cleaned and breach plug pulled and cleaned also, I'm thinking maybe the powder is at fault, will do some more shooting with it this weekend and see if we can't nail it down.,
Thanks

simonkenton · July 19, 2008, 09:02 AM

What kind of powder?

Pahoo · July 19, 2008, 10:32 AM

Hang-Fires and Mis-Fires are rare for in-lines, especially when you are using a 209 primer. Prior to loading and shooting, run a damp swab or patch using denatured alcohol. Leave your patched rod in place at the bottom of the bore, Pop a cap. Pull your rod and check the crud on the patch. If you see a lot of "Mud", repeat the process till the patch looks fairly dry. Now Load and see how you do. So much depends on what you are shooting; PRB, Mini's, Sabots ?? 209, #11 or musket. FFFG or FFg ??? 777, Pyrodex or BP. I too might suspect too much breech plug grease and your patch will reveil that ..

Be Safe !!!

wildwood477 · July 20, 2008, 09:31 AM

we are using Hodgon Triple 7, in this rifle and everything has been cleaned well. Just can't understand the hang fires and mis fires. Powder is new also.

mykeal · July 20, 2008, 04:53 PM

777 is sensitive to compression, and in general, the more you compress it, the harder it is to ignite. My suggestion would be to load with just barely enough compression to ensure that the ball is seated on the powder and no more.

simonkenton · July 20, 2008, 08:38 PM

Try a different powder.
Black powder, Pyrodex, or spend some cash and get Blackhorn 209.

wildwood477 · July 21, 2008, 08:02 AM

Thanks for the thought on 777 compression, that may well be it, as we both like to make sure things are tamped in tight. will try just seating things a little less harder, you all have been a wealth of information and i appreciate that.

July 19, 2008, 06:57 AM	#3
wildwood477 Member Join Date: December 6, 2007 Location: 50 miles NE of Watertown, NY Posts: 49	knight muzzle loader (mis fires) this is and inline rifle and was cleaned and breach plug pulled and cleaned also, I'm thinking maybe the powder is at fault, will do some more shooting with it this weekend and see if we can't nail it down., Thanks

July 20, 2008, 09:31 AM	#6
wildwood477 Member Join Date: December 6, 2007 Location: 50 miles NE of Watertown, NY Posts: 49	knight muzzle loader we are using Hodgon Triple 7, in this rifle and everything has been cleaned well. Just can't understand the hang fires and mis fires. Powder is new also.

July 21, 2008, 08:02 AM	#9
wildwood477 Member Join Date: December 6, 2007 Location: 50 miles NE of Watertown, NY Posts: 49	knight muzzle loader Thanks for the thought on 777 compression, that may well be it, as we both like to make sure things are tamped in tight. will try just seating things a little less harder, you all have been a wealth of information and i appreciate that.

July 18, 2008, 05:05 PM	#1
wildwood477 Member Join Date: December 6, 2007 Location: 50 miles NE of Watertown, NY Posts: 49	knight muzzle loader (mis-fires) My friend just got a new knight in 50 cal. sometimes it fires and sometimes not, primers seem ok, weapon cleaned well, when it does fire there is quite a lapse in time after the primer goes off and the rifle itself fires. Anyone have any ideas

July 18, 2008, 06:53 PM	#2
hillbille Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2008 Location: west virginia born 1/19/1961 Posts: 222	wildwood what kind is it? inline, sidelock, rollingblock, ect. My first guess would be grease in the breechplug, or nipple. or even bad powder, moist or wet, or even bad primers. most hang fires are from dirty guns or wet powder. this is just a wild guess for now, till we can get a little more info. did he clean it good first, how many shots till the misfires and hangfires?

July 19, 2008, 09:02 AM	#4
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	What kind of powder?

July 19, 2008, 10:32 AM	#5
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Hang-Fires and Mis-Fires are rare for in-lines, especially when you are using a 209 primer. Prior to loading and shooting, run a damp swab or patch using denatured alcohol. Leave your patched rod in place at the bottom of the bore, Pop a cap. Pull your rod and check the crud on the patch. If you see a lot of "Mud", repeat the process till the patch looks fairly dry. Now Load and see how you do. So much depends on what you are shooting; PRB, Mini's, Sabots ?? 209, #11 or musket. FFFG or FFg ??? 777, Pyrodex or BP. I too might suspect too much breech plug grease and your patch will reveil that .. Be Safe !!!

July 20, 2008, 04:53 PM	#7
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	777 is sensitive to compression, and in general, the more you compress it, the harder it is to ignite. My suggestion would be to load with just barely enough compression to ensure that the ball is seated on the powder and no more.

July 20, 2008, 08:38 PM	#8
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	Try a different powder. Black powder, Pyrodex, or spend some cash and get Blackhorn 209.