I don't have time to break down a response to each person but I will say that I did try to remove the nipple with a pair of pliers. I couldn't get it to turn more than maybe 1/4 turn and I do not have nor could I find a nipple wrench on a Sunday evening.

Also after seeing that I wasn't getting it off I did try, using a pick, to poke as much powder into the greater nipple vicinity as I could and all that gave me was a slightly louder than the cap pop.

Thanks for the responses guys. It's going to be Friday (if I'm lucky) before I'm even in the same town as my rifle again.