RE: Is it necessary to fire a cap prior to loading!
I forgot to do it at the range last time out, but luckily, it fired. Running a dry patch is important, but it won't get oil out of a nipple or breach plug. Caps will blow the oil out and possible burn some of it up. If, by the second cap, you don't see a puff of smoke come out, it could mean there is an obstruction.