A couple years ago I listened to all the hype about Jim Shockey's compressed powder sticks, so I went to Scheel's and bought a container of the .50 caliber sticks for $27.99 . I was excited about trying them so I went to my range with some 295 grain Powerbelt hollowpoint bullets and some Federal 209 primers. I dropped 2 of the 50 grain charges down the barrel and seated the bullet firmly on top of the charges put the primer on my CVA Optima. The bullet seated higher than I was used to because the sticks were longer than the T7 pellets I normally used. When I fired, instead of getting the BOOM we all love, I got a loud PHOOOF, lots of smoke and the bullet dropped at the base of the target. I did this three times with the same results. I took the container back to Scheels with my receipt. The first gun salesperson I talked to said it sounded like the powder may be old. He got one of the head salespersons and he told me to crush the first stick down the barrel and it should work. Well, if I have to do that I would rather just use loose powder. Scheel's refused to give my money back so I took the container back home and I still have it. There are no directions on the container that say anything about crushing the first stick. I'm sure you guys know more about this than me or Scheels, so what is your diagnosis and remedy for my results with the Jim Shockey's Compressed Charge Sticks?