- Joined
- Nov 20, 2017
- Messages
- 51
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Well, I took my gun show-bought CVA 32 Cal Squirrel rifle out to the range today to get it sighted in. First round didn't fire. I did have powder in there, and the hole from nipple to powder was clear (I blew through it and could hear the air come out the muzzle). I was using Triple 7 FFFg and Remington #11 percussion caps. The only thing I could think of is that I got the patch too wet and it dampened the powder (I used the old saliva method). Interesting to note that I had a hard time getting the ramrod out when I loaded, and it came out with a little bit of patch. Tried several more caps and nothing helped. Didn't have a handle on the ramrod so I couldn't get enough of a purchase to pull the ball out.
A few hours later as I finished a hike (couldn't waste a day in the Hills), I remembered reading about loading without powder and pouring a bit of powder in the flash hole, so I tried it. Didn't work. Then I thought about getting under the nipple, so I unscrewed it and put a little powder in that chamber. That did the trick (slight delay between cap and charge ignition). I cleaned out the barrel good in case the damp powder left some residue. I then reloaded and..... nothing again. I unscrewed the nipple and put some powder down there again. That worked with no delay between cap and powder ignition. Didn't try it again as it was getting dark.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should check to keep this from happening over and over?
Also of note, the bolster screw head is messed up. The edges of the head for loosening the screw are stripped (didn't notice that before). Does the flash chamber (or whatever it's called) unscrew from the barrel or is it permanently attached?
One other question. There seems to be some sort of a ridge or something at the bottom of the barrel. I can feel the jag catch on it. Not enough to keep hold of it, but I wonder if the barrel might need work or replacement (can you tell I don't have too much experience fixing these).
Thanks in advance.
A few hours later as I finished a hike (couldn't waste a day in the Hills), I remembered reading about loading without powder and pouring a bit of powder in the flash hole, so I tried it. Didn't work. Then I thought about getting under the nipple, so I unscrewed it and put a little powder in that chamber. That did the trick (slight delay between cap and charge ignition). I cleaned out the barrel good in case the damp powder left some residue. I then reloaded and..... nothing again. I unscrewed the nipple and put some powder down there again. That worked with no delay between cap and powder ignition. Didn't try it again as it was getting dark.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should check to keep this from happening over and over?
Also of note, the bolster screw head is messed up. The edges of the head for loosening the screw are stripped (didn't notice that before). Does the flash chamber (or whatever it's called) unscrew from the barrel or is it permanently attached?
One other question. There seems to be some sort of a ridge or something at the bottom of the barrel. I can feel the jag catch on it. Not enough to keep hold of it, but I wonder if the barrel might need work or replacement (can you tell I don't have too much experience fixing these).
Thanks in advance.
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