Some people like to put a little powder or even a regular load, as opposed to "snapping caps". The possibility 2P mentioned of plugging the nipple with stuff from the cap fired with no resistance from a powder charge is legitimate. However, seeing caps snapped hundreds of times by scores of shooters at a match, convinces me that snapping just a couple of caps is a valid practice. An important thing to do while cap snapping is to hold the muzzle close to the ground or blades of grass to see if anything moves. This is proof that the mini blast is getting through the nipple. Without observing this activity, cap snapping doesn't prove much except that the hammer and cap worked. The nipple and/or flash channel could still be blocked.

> Jim Legg <