Dondo-

If you ever suspect the breech plug as being plugged or getting plugged, there is nothing wrong with pulling the plug and checking it. I keep some Q-tips with me on the range and have many times, pulled the breech plug and cleaned it and the striker area. It makes everything faster. Unlike when you are hunting and only going to shoot once maybe twice a day. Then there is no need to worry. I do add a little breech plug lube back on the plug when I put it back.

Also when you swab the barrel with a damp patch, if you leave the action open, you will hear air passing through the breech plug. If you hear the air, that thing is open and so it should fire fine. Also at the end of the day, it is not all that uncommon to pull the breech plug and find a lot of residue in there. As long as it kept firing, that's the important thing.

I like APP and Pinnacle powders. They burn clean and are a lot of fun to shoot on the range. I also find some excellent power using them. When I go hunting, I load 99% of the time with Goex though. Goex still is one of the best powders out there. I have hunted with the other powders on occasionthough and never had a problem with them.