Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Austin and Halleck problem..

Looking for a couple ideas..My bolt action A&H with # 11 caps doesn't fire on the first shot..Almost always fires on the second shot after the cap has been seated from the first try..

Pushing the cap on as hard as I might doesn't seem to help,only after seating from the first shot try.

I have tried a different nipple and have also been sanding them trying for a better fit without much luck..

I did find a breech conversion for shotgun primers,but those are not legal for hunting..

Was hoping someone has seen this kind of problem before and maybe had some ideas..

Thanks

Worn firing pin/hammer, whatever you call what strikes the cap? Happens on my sidelocks. The face gets worn from the nipple, even though the cap is on it. Might just have to reface it. Just a thought, something to look at.

Thanks for the reply..You got me looking at the bolt and after some more internet research found a site that explained how to adjust spring tension..Works great now..

I feel better...

Cool! If it ain't being hit hard enough, look at what hits it! Good feeling when find the answer....

Yeah, I feel kinda foolish,but the local muzzleloader shop started me with changing cap and nipple combinations and I went with that train of thought and didn't waiver...

Now I am off to buy new nipples to replace the ones I have sanded down..The caps don't stay on...LOL

I like easy fixes..

I used to shoot that gun years ago, very accurate, probably the most accurate muzzleloader I have ever shot. The barrel looked like it was rifled with a hacksaw blade, roughest bore I have ever seen.

The company that owned them was a company called north american arms. They are still in business in the same building in provo utah. They sold all their remaining inventory years ago but I would be very surprised if they didn't have some spare parts. I would look at changing your hammer and spring out. I looked through my muzzleloader parts and was hoping to have some things, it seemed like I had a 209 conversion and another conversion that used 32H&R mag brass, that was a pretty cool conversion it made it so blow back didn't exist anymore. you can cap the gun by just sliding a primed brass case into the breach plug.

I did find an old hammer and spring in my various parts. beyond that I would try adjusting your hammer it seemed to me like that was kinda finacky to adjust. It has to be adjusted just right. if you still can't get anywhere I would try looking up randy wakeman just search his name related to muzzleloading, he might have parts or know people that do.

Most likely the nipple is bulged and the first strike fully seats the cap and the second strike sets it off.

Are you sure you dont have #11 magnum primers? I had the same thing happen to me a few years back.Once I went back to regular #11s the problem went away.

I do have #11 magnums..Hmmm?? Whats it all mean?

I think the magnums require a different size nipple.Try regular 11s and I bet your problem goes away.

Thanks..I will give that a try..