nipples

[dakota]

My muzzle loader failed to fire today. I changed out the nipple, I had a spare in my possibles bag, the rifle worked fine.
Is it worth it to keep the old nipple and clean it or are they trash?
I was thinking about cleaning it in several ways. I am not sure I have ever read anything about this. Is it because it is so simple no-one has considered it worthwhile to write about?

[deputydon]

throw it away!!!!!!!!! The gases eat out the nipples over time I change out once a year more often w/ heavy shooting.

[Jack]

If you want to clean it, a pipe cleaner with those abrasive things on it works well to clean out the upper part. The pipe cleaner is too big for the flash hole, though.
I'd agree with DeputyDon, though- nipples don't cost that much.

[bounce]

When your old smoke pole seem's it an't shooting as good as it use to ... you will be amaised at what a new niple will do!!!!

[dakota]

I looked through my very well organized gun room and could not come up with more nipples. I cleaned the old nipple and ordered more from Midway. The old nipple will be my back up until the new ones arrive.

[Purebred Redneck]

Did the cap go off?

I would always keep a spare nipple with you. You ever know if you're going to take it off and drop it.
Either new or used nipples would suit that purpose. But new ones don't cost very much.

I can't see how the nipple being bad caused a fail to fire though. I think it would be the cap, hammer, piece of a prevouis cap breaking off inside the nipple or other debris, or that the powder was unable to make the turn after the barrel.

There should be no reason that the nipple itself would cause a fail to fire provided the above is met.

When did it start doing it???

When cleaning nipples, I always soak them in water for a few minutes. Spray them with brake cleaner and scrub with a old toothbrush. I'd take a pipecleaner and get as far down on both ends as I can. A nipple pick would do the same thing. Put it up to your mouth and blow whatever residue is in there out.

[dakota]

The cap went off as did three right afterwards. Then I put on a nipple and new cap and the rifle fired. The old nipple was plugged.

I heated the nipple quite hot after soaking it in a thick concentration of dish washing soap. I found a wire that would fit in the smallet diameter hole and cleaned it the best I could. I also cleaned the larger diameter end with a larger tool.

Thanks for all the advice guys.