I hope the mods don't mind me starting a new thread on this topic.

So I went out to the desert and did as was suggested. Cayugad thank you for reminding me to make sure the ball was properly seated.

Sure enough the powder made a pop like a loud cap gun. But it really did not feel like anything came out.

Unscrewing the vent liner, I dropped the rod down the barrel hoping to see it through the vent and thus confirm that the ball had left the barrel.

I didn't see the end of the rod. And no, I don't have my rod marked.

If the barrel is empty, would I have been able to see the rod tip? Or is there some sort of chamber just for the powder that has a narrow opening, preventing rod from going as far down as the vent? (If that makes sense)

I am going to try dumping some 2F down the barrel and see if I can shake that out the vent (with the vent liner removed!). I did not have any 2F with me today, just 4. So if after dumping the 2F down the barrel, if I can shake some out of the vent, that should prove the barrel is clear...?

Another question: one of my wedges is very loose. As in tip the gun to the side and it will simply fall out loose. Do I need to get another wedge or do I need to seat the barrel in the stock just right to get the proper resistance?

Thank again everyone for your help.
~Robert