Musket cap not igniting

[ronbow]

I am hunting wit a T/C Black Mountain Magnum which is a sidelock musket cap model. I am using Pyrodex RS (100 gr.) and RWS or CCI musket caps. This year I popped caps three times on deer after killing one on my first shot. I cleaned the gun and used a nipple pick on the nipple. Same results. I am wondering if the humidity here in North Florida is the cause or has the hole in the musket cap nipple become restricted. A hunting buddy advised me to ream out the nipple with a welding torch tip cleaner which is similar to a microscopic rat tail file. Never had a problem like this before on the range. I even used pellets and got good ignition. I'm wondering if the humidity  and prolonged time I leave in the load the culprit. Suggestions more than welcomed.

[flintlock]

Its not the humidity, we have that up here in NC as well, and my flinters go off with no problem...Its probably crud in your drum...Try loading with powder (no ball) 20 grains is enough and then remove the nipple, it you don't see powder under the nipple, the powder can't ignite...Clean the area where the drum goes into the barrel, a pipe cleaner should do it.. .While you have your nipple out, see if you can look through it, if not clean or replace...I have replaced the drum on several muzzleloaders, these were screw in type drums, not sure what yours is....But, when I replace a drum I always cut a taper inside the drum so the powder can flow under the nipple easier...

When you clean your caplock, remove the nipple and thoroughly flush out the barrel with either hot, soapy water or rubbing alcohol...By removing the nipple you aren't leaving all that crud in the drum area...then dry and lube and you should be good to go...
Good Luck

[Landngroove]

Before loading your Black Mountain Magnum are you wiping the bore with patches to remove any oil residue? Are you snapping off two, or three caps to clear the breach area of any oil, or lube which may block the flashhole area. After cleaning, ( I guess I should have said this first) try holding the nipple up to the light. You should see the light through the flash hole. I have used musket caps in the past, and have never had problems, that I would have to drill out the nipple, provided I took the previous steps before loading.

[Slamfire]

Another trick, is to charge the rifle, tilt it toward the drum, and slap the off side. This makes sure some powder gets into the drum. Then load the ball, and cap. Rifles without patent breeches, require you to choke up on the wipin' stick, to keep from pushin' foulin' into the drum.