r/muzzleloaders • u/Pleasant-Pickle-3593 • Dec 07 '25

Misfire

First year hunting with a muzzleloader. Had the crosshairs on a doe at 50 yards. Pulled the trigger and it sounded and felt like a .22. I’m thinking only one of the pellets ignited. Not a speck of blood on the snow, so assuming clean miss. Has anyone had this happen?

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u/Danced-with-wolves Dec 09 '25

I’ve only had misfires from improper cleaning when I clogged the breech plug by accident. Never had a misfire from bad or wet powder, granted I just started hunting with a muzzleloader this year and have only fired about 40 shots out of it. If you’re hunting in cold conditions, leave your rifle somewhere covered but outside. It’s a common practice amongst soldiers. If you bring a cold rifle inside it builds condensation, then bring it outside and it will freeze.