If you look at your muzzleloader, the nipple actually screws into a small channel on a hump called the bolster on the side of the barrel. Some rifles, not all rifles, on the side of that bolster have a screw that can be taken out. Many people who have bolster clean out scews do not ever remove them. I do because there can get to be a fowling and powder build up in there. Also it allows me to pump water with more force through the barrel with that screw taken out. When I clean it, I just push some fuzzy pipe cleaners into that with some alcohol sprayed on them to make sure that is nice and dry in there....