Why is my T/C B.D. now delay fireing?

[Flatshooter]

I know the possibilities could be endless, but the last time on the range and missing two deer last week due to the delayed firing, I can not figure it out. Set up I use as listed below

.50 cal T/C Black Diamond
2 50 gr. T777 pellets
.40cal 240gr. Dead Center bullet
Vari-Flame 209 primer ignition w/ small rifle primer

Only once in six years have I had this problem, but I solved that problem when i used to leave too much bore butter in the barrel and the first shot would delay due to the pellets absorbing too much moisture from the bore butter. This problem was four years ago and now it is no longer an issue.

I am guessing maybe the following:
-209 adapter needs to be replaced due to too much "crud" build up in the nipple. I do take time and soak this and all other loose pieces of the action in T/C cleaner and wiped down with a clean cloth, q-tip, and I run a nipple pick inside the nipple.

-Maybe a gap in the breech plug?

-Maybe my t777 pellets are holding moisture?

-Maybe I should just purchase a new breech plug and 209 adapter see what happens?

Thanks for your help!
-Flatshooter

[Busta]

My money is on the Vari-Flame and small rifle primers. You need a very hot primer for 777 pellets, the small rifle primer is not going to do it 100%. There are 209's such as the 209-4 (Remington 410 primer) that won't even work 100%. 777 pellets do not have the small Black Powder igniter charge on them like the Pyrodex pellets do and therefore you need a very hot primer. Put some regular 209's in there or use loose 777 powder and I'll bet your problems will go away.

[Flatshooter]

Busta: Great points! I was using the loose T777 a year ago and had not one problem. I went to the pellets because I was in the process of building our new home up until three weeks ago when we moved in. So my range time was non-existint. I did zero in my BD with the pellets because it was more convenient.
I have some Winchester 209's and I will try it tonight.
Thanks for the heads up,
-Flatshooter

[Wolfhound]

I wish I would have seen this sooner. Busta is right. Triple Seven Pellets are for 209 primers only. Using small rifle primers is like using number 11 caps. If they fire they will more than likely hangfire.

[Redhawk1]

Hate to tell you all are wrong, but I use a 25ACP conversion in one of my Encores with small rifle primers and tripe7 pellets with never having a misfire. I have shot it in the cold, in the heat, in the rain and hundreds of times at the range, not one mis-fire.

Sounds like you may have a problem with the crud in the nipple. JMHO.

[Busta]

Small rifle primers in a .25 ACP in a sealed breech is a lot different than small rifle primers/Vari-Flame in a open breech plunger style ignition. Your comparing apples to oranges. In the .25 ACP you get nearly 100% of the flame through the plug, in a Vari-Flame with the 209 nipple in an open breech plunger hammer ignition you are lucky to get 50% of the flame through the plug. If you dont believe me take them both outside at night, fire both watching the flame out the end of the barrel and around the breech. There just isn't no comparison. He is talking about a Black Diamond, not a Encore/Omega. If that isn't enough to convince you, load a bullet in there where there is some pressure impeeding the spark.

The Vari-Flame was designed for the sealed breech 209 plugs, not open breech 209 nipples that get hammered by a plunger that bounces back allowing it to leak fire like a sieve does water.

[Wolfhound]

Hate to tell you all are wrong, but I use a 25ACP conversion in one of my Encores with small rifle primers and tripe7 pellets with never having a misfire. I have shot it in the cold, in the heat, in the rain and hundreds of times at the range, not one mis-fire.

Sounds like you may have a problem with the crud in the nipple. JMHO.

They misfired in my Omega and I use the 25 ACP too. Of course that could be the primer, Winchester Small Rifle primers. I know of one person with an Encore who had the problem too.

[big45]

hello,
  try using fffg  goex black powder.
 you will not have this problem again.

[Flatshooter]

Thank you all for the great responses! I will try the regular 209's or go buy a new bottle of loose T777. I will report back.

[Wolfhound]

Thank you all for the great responses! I will try the regular 209's or go buy a new bottle of loose T777. I will report back.

If you go loose, to match 2 pellet speed try about 80 gr. That should be pretty close.

[Flatshooter]

I may start with 80 and go up from there, thanks for the heads up. I did use 100 grns in the past of the loose T7. Question: When pouring the loose into your measuring device, do you tap the device to settle the powder, pack it down tight with something, or just make sure the powder is level with the desired amount?
I used to tap and shake the container/measuring device slightly to level it off.
Any thoughts or ideas?

[flintlock]

I tap...But I think its most important to do the same each time...All you are really doing is trying to be consistant when you load each shot...I second Goex or Pyrodex...Being a flintlock shooter and a inline owner, I usually just go with Goex (unless Pryodex goes on sale...I bought 2 pounds of R-S a couple of years ago for $5 a pound at Wall Mart...couldn't pass that up!!!)