In-Line Muzzle Loaders

[The_Shadow]

Not sure if anyone shoots or hunts with Muzzle Loaders gun but here is what I experienced recently...

I had my In-Line loaded for about two years, I went to test a few firearms recently and took it with me to shoot that load out and over the chronograph.  Well the primer fired bot failed to ignite the powder charge.  I tried several primers still no ignition.  Well today I pulled the breech plug to see if the Triple Seven loose powder was damp.  Nope it was still in great shape, still loose powder granules. I use the loose powder and not the pellets.

I inspected the breech plug closely to fined it completely plugged up!  We are talking serious stopped up.  I have a few pins and needles that I use to clean the very tiny flash hole but it wouldn't push through.  I continued to scrape and push the sewing pin while turning the breech plug to try and drill in it, even tried the tap it through and bent the pin.
I modified the pin with a small file making it flat on the edges to help scrape and drill in.  After about an hour and several adjustments to the pin I managed to get it through this tiny flash hole.
Next I used another slightly larger diameter pin and modified it to drill and scrape the hole clear.  After I had it opened, I used a set of Welding Torch tip cleaners to further clean the tiny hole.

I did some research and there are some very tiny drill bits that could be used to help clean the tiny flash hole.  We are talking #70 drill / 0.028" on one breech plug and #72 / 0.025" on an other.

It is possible that some primer material did not burn and was blown in to the very tiny hole and sealed it shut, using more primers probably packed it even tighter so no flame or spark reached the powder charge!  Lesson learned...  At least I didn't get presented a shot on a deer and not have the rifle go off!

[Lyle_Savant]

As a rule of thumb, a Muzzleloader (even in-line) shouldn't be left loaded for any length of time. I missed a really nice buck one morning like that; I was sick.

We're you using a Shotgun Primer?

[The_Shadow]

Lyle_Savant,

As a rule of thumb, a Muzzleloader (even in-line) shouldn't be left loaded for any length of time. I missed a really nice buck one morning like that; I was sick.

We're you using a Shotgun Primer?

I totally understand that missing a good buck would make for a bad day!  It is also why I'm sharing my findings & wrote this detailed cleaning of the breech plugs.

About the priming system, it was a conversion breech plug  flash hole is 0.028", that I use a 25ACP case and primed with a Small Rifle Primer.  I put the 209 breech plug back in this time. The flash hole is even smaller on the 209 breech plug 0.025".  I'm thinking some primer cup material sealed the tiny flash hole of the breech plug before the flame front could reach the powder charge.

I did read of other people experiencing miss fires with carbon build up.  Knowing that I had cleaned the flash hole before putting it together is why I thing some primer material plugged it on the first try.  trying again with 3 more primers probably added to the situation making it difficult to clean out.

That being said I ordered some tiny 0.025" drill bits to just in case it happens again.

[Kenk]

Great info to know. I have been wanting to get a muzzle loader for some time

Ken

[Jim Bridger]

The muzzle loading firearms should not be stored loaded. Primers and moisture  are the enemies of muzzle loaders.

[Rooster41]

I have a CVA Optima V2 that I was having a heck of time getting the flash hole clean. I bought a CVA Breech plug cleaning kit which included two small drill bits. I think it works pretty good. I use the pellets.

Kenk if you are seriously looking, just stand by. I may have one for sale dirt cheap by spring time. I may be working on a deal with a guy on buying his Thompson Center Bone Collector.

[The_Shadow]

The drill bits work well just take your time using a handheld drill bit tool so as not to break the bit with excessive forces.
The Welding Torch tip cleaners really help to do the final scrubbing of the inside channel.

[czgunner]

Are spare nipples available? Seems like you could let one soak for weeks in carbon cleaner and rotate them.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[The_Shadow]

czgunner this is about in-line 209 primer breech plugs.
Nipples are used on cap lock type percussion and musket types. 

[czgunner]

czgunner this is about in-line 209 primer breech plugs.
Nipples are used on cap lock type percussion and musket types.

Sorry, I'm not very well educated with muzzle loaders and used the wrong term.

[The_Shadow]

Various Breech Plugs

[czgunner]

Various Breech Plugs

Thanks!

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[Rvrrat14]

I also have a Optima V2.

I clean the rifle after a shooting session THOROUGHLY.   This includes the QRBP (quick release breech plug).   I drop the QRBP in a pill bottle with cleaner.  Place the top on and shake a bit.   I let it sit while I clean the rest of the rifle.   When the bore, breech, hammer/trigger area has been cleaned, I remove the QRBP from the pill bottle and inspect the flash hole.   I clean the flash hole with a small drill bit and a cutting torch tip cleaning tool.  I blow it out, dry it off, lube, and put anti-seize on the threads and replace in rifle.   I will visually inspect the flash hole.

When firing in the field, I can get 3-4 shots between swabbing the barrel.   I use two White Hots pellets.  I will also verify the flash hole is clear and open.  Usually when I swab, I also take the tip cleaner and run it through a few times, blow it out, and replace in the breech.

Also, using pellets, at the end of a hunting session, I can remove the primer and QRBP holding the rifle barrel down.  I can drop the two pellets out into my hand and return to a speed loader.   I can then take my rod and push the 50 cal. Hornady Bore Driver FTX out the breech, too and return to speed loader.   Next session, reload.  I have not noticed any accuracy issues in doing this.