cayugad

If you're shooting a percussion cap traditional and it fails to fire, first thing you do (besides the safety aspect of muzzle control)is pick the nipple and try another cap. If that still does not work you have a couple options...

You can take the nipple off and pack powder down the nipple hole. A little bit will really help. Then replace the nipple and put a cap on it. Usually it will then fire.

If it does not work, ask yourself.. did I put powder in the rifle? Put the ramrod in it and check to see if you did remember to put powder in it. If you did not then you can pack the breech through the nipple and the clean out bolster screw, and cap it.. POINT THAT IN A SAFE DIRECTION AS THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE POWER THEN YOU THINK.. and fire it. It will usually blow the ball out.

If there is powder in it.. then repack the bolster clean out screw or nipple hole.. MAKE SURE YOU USE THE RAMROD AND RE SEAT THE BALL AFTER EVERY ATTEMPT OF BLOWING IT OUT SO YOU DO NOT CREATE A BARREL OBSTRUCTION.. and cap and fire it.

If you still can not get it to fire, you can take the barrel off if possible and pour water down the barrel to kill the powder charge (not everyone does this and it is your safety choice). Then you take the bullet puller and pull the ball or conical and clean the rifle barrel spotless..