boo711 Posted January 24, 2024 Posted January 24, 2024 Took my muzzle loader out to the range a couple weeks ago this Friday. Spur of the moment decision. Grabbed my stuff and went. Hung a target and loaded the muzzleloader. First shot there was no recoil. Puff of smoke, that was about it. Loaded it back up and 2nd shot was perfect. 1 inch high and about 2 inches right at 100 yds. 3rd,4th & 5th shot were used to dial in. 5th shot was inch high and center. And ideas what happened on the first shot??
Robhuntandfish Posted January 24, 2024 Posted January 24, 2024 I had this happen before and figured it to be that I didn't get all the cleaning solvent out of it after the last time I cleaned it, and it eventually ran down into the bottom of the barrel. I now always shoot a cap in mine before using it. Never had a problem since. ATbuckhunter, boo711 and grampy 3 "it's pointless for humans to paint scenes of nature when they can go outside and stand in it"- Ron Swanson
jperch Posted January 24, 2024 Posted January 24, 2024 This is actually scary if there was no recoil! It is always possible for the primer (assuming an inline muzzleloader) did not ignite the powder charge, or not enough to expel the bullet. At that point (and maybe you did), you need to make sure that the barrel is unobstructed. Otherwise the second shot could result in some very unhappy consequences. It is even dangerous to just put another primer in and reshoot under those circumstances unless you reseat the bullet. Lots of videos online about this. Given your outcome, I tend to agree with Rob. cervidchasers 1
boo711 Posted January 24, 2024 Author Posted January 24, 2024 3 hours ago, jperch said: This is actually scary if there was no recoil! It is always possible for the primer (assuming an inline muzzleloader) did not ignite the powder charge, or not enough to expel the bullet. At that point (and maybe you did), you need to make sure that the barrel is unobstructed. Otherwise the second shot could result in some very unhappy consequences. It is even dangerous to just put another primer in and reshoot under those circumstances unless you reseat the bullet. Lots of videos online about this. Given your outcome, I tend to agree with Rob. I pulled the breech plug and made sure barrel was empty. Splitear and jperch 2
dbHunterNY Posted January 24, 2024 Posted January 24, 2024 what powder or pellets are you using. could the powder charge have gotten damp or soaked up moisture and you didn't notice? Splitear 1
sbuff Posted January 24, 2024 Posted January 24, 2024 Did first shot hit the target, possibly no bullet ?, can't stress the importance of witness marks jperch 1
dbHunterNY Posted January 24, 2024 Posted January 24, 2024 yea no bullet might be another multiple choice answer. i'd think you could maybe rule that out or not though. Splitear 1
BowmanMike Posted January 25, 2024 Posted January 25, 2024 I also vote for no bullet or bullet fell out. I thought that was almost impossible considering how hard they push in,but I had it happen to me once target shooting. usual amount of smoke but zero recoil.
sbuff Posted January 25, 2024 Posted January 25, 2024 Witness marks on all muzzleloaders are a must Buckmaster7600 and grampy 1 1
grampy Posted January 25, 2024 Posted January 25, 2024 The fact there was normal smoke and no recoil, leads me to believe there was no projectile in the barrel? Or perhaps all the powder did not ignite causing the projectile to just barely leave the barrel? And I agree.....a witness mark on the ramrod is a must. Happy to hear you did get dialed in with no more issues!!
LET EM GROW Posted January 25, 2024 Posted January 25, 2024 (edited) For Future reference. If you ever have a no recoil puff of smoke, you must 100% verify your barrel is completely free and empty before reloading. you will lose valuables or more if you double load that thing.. bad stuff can happen. Notch the ram rod where it is in terms of the end of the barrel when theres a load in the breech ready to fire. this will help verify things.. But for what it was is probably a bit of moisture from cleaning solvents lubes etc.. I will shoot a primer or two before loading the barrel just to try and remove moistures.. Edited January 25, 2024 by LET EM GROW Splitear, dbHunterNY and grampy 3
Daveboone Posted May 14, 2024 Posted May 14, 2024 Most likely oil/etc. in the flash hole/breech. Be sure to thoroughly dry swab the bore, then pop a couple of caps, then run another patch. you will be amazed at what can be in there. Robhuntandfish, boo711 and grampy 3
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