How about a Mule Ear Build?

[Scota4570]

Of course you may. 

I'll take it apart and post better photos.  I am busy with other obligations for about most of today though.  Soon?

[Metalshaper]

Of course you may. 

I'll take it apart and post better photos.  I am busy with other obligations for about most of today though.  Soon?

No worries, beggars can't be choosy!!

Respect Always
Metalshaper/Jonathan

[Scota4570]

I made time.

[Metalshaper]

Scota,

 Thanks! Very interesting design! appreciate the help 

Respect Always
Jonathan

[Scota4570]

I agree with Okabow. I have a heavy mule ear chunk gun with a 1.5” thick barrel. The nipple has a crazy long threaded section and the face of the nipple is right against the bore. Works good for the first 5 or 6 shots then I get misfires despite wiping wet then dry between shots. Like many on the shooting line I’ve started popping a primer on the cleaned bore before loading powder. Kinda rankles me though.

Is the nipple at the very bottom next to the breechplug?  Maybe fouling is covering it?  I have never has a single misfire with my little rifle shown.  I do use musket caps.  The nipple is above the breech plug.  IF you dry-ball you can not trickle powder by removing the nipple, the ball is in the way.  But, fouling does not build up enough in a day to block the fire. 

[Craig Wilcox]

Another "maybe" cause of the misfires could be residue from the 'wet' patch getting into the opening of the nipple.  Is that long nipple thread reaching into the bore?
I used to have a Pedersoli "Kentucky" that would always misfire right after the wet patch/dry patch operation, and many times it would take 3 or 4 caps to get the fire channel dried out enough.  I switched to both a thicker patch and mink oil lube, and then no further need to clean until I got home.  Many times before I switched, I would have to take the bolster and  nipple out, and use pipe cleaners to clean out the holes.
Darn shame, cause that .45 was extremely accurate, often making a small clover-leaf in the X-ring at 100 yards, prone position.

[Bsharp]

 Scota4570,

Do you have to manually flip the safety lever down to fire, or does it have a spring and flip back as you full cock?

Nice looking rifle and like the safety!

[rich pierce]

On mine the nipple is flush with the inside of the bore and centered about half an inch in front of the breechplug. I agree it could be the wet patch is clogging it so guess I will go “just damp” next time. It sure is frustrating trying to shoot for score and getting misfires.

[Scota4570]

Scota4570,

Do you have to manually flip the safety lever down to fire, or does it have a spring and flip back as you full cock?

Nice looking rifle and like the safety!

The little bar held down by the screw is a spring that bears on the safety cam.  The cam has a detent for off and on.  It take deliberate effort to engage or disengage the safety.  I operates silently but you can feel the detents.   It does not move on or off by itself.  The operation of it is smooth but tight. 

[BruceH]

On mine the nipple is flush with the inside of the bore and centered about half an inch in front of the breechplug. I agree it could be the wet patch is clogging it so guess I will go “just damp” next time. It sure is frustrating trying to shoot for score and getting misfires.

Rich, that is one problem I never have with a Mule Ear.  Now I do use a nipple pick out of cautious habit each time after I load.  I also use Magnum primers for no reason other than they are supposedly hotter.  All my nipples are as close to the breech plug face as I can get them.

[Bsharp]

Scota4570,

Do you have to manually flip the safety lever down to fire, or does it have a spring and flip back as you full cock?

Nice looking rifle and like the safety!

The little bar held down by the screw is a spring that bears on the safety cam.  The cam has a detent for off and on.  It take deliberate effort to engage or disengage the safety.  I operates silently but you can feel the detents.   It does not move on or off by itself.  The operation of it is smooth but tight.

Thanks!

[rich pierce]

On mine the nipple is flush with the inside of the bore and centered about half an inch in front of the breechplug. I agree it could be the wet patch is clogging it so guess I will go “just damp” next time. It sure is frustrating trying to shoot for score and getting misfires.

Rich, that is one problem I never have with a Mule Ear.  Now I do use a nipple pick out of cautious habit each time after I load.  I also use Magnum primers for no reason other than they are supposedly hotter.  All my nipples are as close to the breech plug face as I can get them.

I gotta find it make a nipple pick I guess or get magnum primers or both. Thanks for the advice.

[Bsharp]

Made this out of an old spoon, have one with a flat screw driver. You could also have one with a pick.

[Daryl]

On mine the nipple is flush with the inside of the bore and centered about half an inch in front of the breechplug. I agree it could be the wet patch is clogging it so guess I will go “just damp” next time. It sure is frustrating trying to shoot for score and getting misfires.

Rich, that is one problem I never have with a Mule Ear.  Now I do use a nipple pick out of cautious habit each time after I load.  I also use Magnum primers for no reason other than they are supposedly hotter.  All my nipples are as close to the breech plug face as I can get them.

Or use a load that does not require swabbing out the bore. It would take very little 'junk' to block the nipple's flash hole.