So this is my first percussion so please take it easy on me…I’m still learning.
I wasn’t impressed with the accuracy or trigger with my 50 cal traditions pioneer muzzleloader when I went to the range for the first time with it a few days ago. The trigger pull was a hair over 10 pounds. I took the gun apart probably a good six times working the trigger down to 2 pounds. I went to retest it this morning and the hammer dropped just fine but it would not ignite my number 11 Winchester caps. I ended up taking the gun apart at the range and checking everything. I thought that maybe the action screws holding the side plates in place were too tight and binding. I did notice the front screw kind of sucking the wood in the other day and the front screw sitting proud. After I put it back together at the range I left the front side plate screw a little loose. I fired off 2 test caps in a row so I started to group test it. I still had quite a few caps getting hit by the hammer and flattened but the caps would not ignite. I noticed if I pushed my caps flush on the nipple they would not go off but if I left them a little proud they would go off most the time. FYI, I did clean the heck out of my gun before I headed to the range this morning as well. So the barrel, breach, and nipple were clean and clear to start with. The one thing I did notice when I put the barrel back into the stock yesterday after the final trigger adjustment that for some odd reason the barrel sat forward from the side plates. I removed and reinstalled but for some reason it didn’t seem to line up perfectly IMO….I am wondering if the nipple wasn’t aligned up perfectly with the hammer? This morning after going through the gun I did have a few caps pop off and not ignite the powder today as well. It was pretty humid out so I don’t know if that had anything to do with the caps not igniting as well? When I adjusted the trigger yesterday all I did was change the angle of the tumbler catches and polish it along with the sear. With all the issues I was having the did shoot a lot better….when it actually fired….
4 shot group at 50 yards…
And three shot group at 75 yard. It dropped 4” low and measured 3”…
The little holes were from someone shooting a 22lr at my targets while I was group testing my gun.
I was using 60 grains of some old Pyrodex RS that came with the gun. I used TC bore buttons and a Lee REAL 320 boolit I casted and PCd. I used zero lube and had zero leading. The PC job wasn’t the prettiest but it did the job.
The gun…
So when I got home from the range I completely disassembled the rifle for cleaning. The things I found that could have caused the FTF issues….
The nipple some how was loose. I tightened it after cleaning so that was a mystery to me. It also spent look the greatest. I’m wondering if the hammer has beat it so short that there is not enough striking power to ignite primers consistently? It is also bent….
Also the tumbler and sear were grinding on the inside of the side plate. I stoned and polished all the ruff edges and the inside of the plate so everything is now smooth to the touch again. I am wondering if the barrel was not centered and rubbing against the sear and tumbler? This is what I found before I stoned and polished everything back to smooth surfaces.
After stoning and polishing all the surfaces above I reassembled. The barrel seemed to fit into the barrel lug a lot easier and and line up with hammer like it should have.
So….sorry for the long winded story but just trying to give all the details. Any suggestions on what I did wrong to cause the caps not to properly invite so I learn from my mistake??? I’m guessing I am probably alright now other than I need a new nipple???