Nipple/Clean Out Screw leaks

Hello all,
I have done searches on this site looking for an answer to my conundrum with little guidance or info. If this is posted to the wrong topic please move or let me know.

I have a GPR .50cal that has a bit of a leak around the clean out screw and the nipple threads. I cant seem to get the threads to seal completely. I will shoot it a couple times and they do seal up due to fouling. When I clean the rifle I have the issue of cleaning solution and oil escaping through theses "loose" threads.

I have 2 exact same rifles. This is only an issue on one. For some reason with this rifle the threads are just a bit wider than the screw threads that go into them.

I have tried different screws and nipples to find one that fits the threads better from one to another with little to no difference in out come. I have looked into possible fix with some sort of thread "dope" that would seal the threading so that oil doesn't leak out of my barrel once its cleaned. I'm not sure if this would be a good fix??

Has anyone had this happen to any of your rifle/rifles before and if so how did you solve the issue? If anyone would know of a simple fix I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

Trent

I have not had this issue with my "cap" guns. Sounds like it's an older rifle that has seen a lot of use - is that correct? Track sells oversized nipples - not sure if they are the size threads that fit your rifle - call them. As for the "clean-out-screw" you can either drill & tap for a larger size screw but if you are sloppy at drilling & tapping then you will end up with the same condition as you now have. You can make a gasket out of thin gasket material from the auto parts store which would work but may need replacing every once in a while if you remove that screw often. My suggestions - :v .

:wink: I would try Teflon tape on the threads, the kind used for plumbing......robin

Teflon tape would probably work if a narrow enough strip was wrapped around the threads.

On the other hand, it may not.

The threads on the screw and on the nipple are not self sealing threads like one would find on a piece of plumbing.

There are clearances between the top (tip) and bottom (root) of both the male and female threads so they will always leak unless some sort of sealing compound or tape is used.

Even this may blow out over time. After all, we are talking about pressures well over 3000 psi.

As for safety, IMO, if the threads are undamaged and full form, not enough gas will leak out to cause a problem. Don't worry about it.

Thanks for the replies so far. Should have said the rifle is fairly new. Have about 100 rounds through it so far. I was told I shouldn't use the tape, not sure as to why, and try to find something that is used in car maintenance for engine screws. This would cover the temps and pressure concerns.Tape might work with the nipple but, may be kinda hard to get around the clean out screw.

Like I said this is so much of an issue when shooting but, when its clean and I want to keep oil in the barrel.

I will figure something out and if so let all know.

thanks again.

Trent

Was this rifle bought new or used? I would contact Lyman and see what they have to say.

I would not shoot a rifle with loose leaking threads. It is not that hard to tap for a new nipple and screw.

fleener

Use RIG grease for protection it won't leak out screw threads.

How do you keep oil from leaking out the nipple when storing it full of oil it seems I am not getting your concern??

A good "anti-seize" compound applied to the clean-out screw threads will seal the gas leak just fine. Then when you need to remove the screw for cleaning or to add powder to remove a "dry-ball" you can remove the screw without problems. Machine Screw threads are generally not gas-tight without the addition of sealant, "Pipe" threads usually are because they are tapered.

Rifle was bought new,Have not contacted Lyman yet, figured I could figure it out. After first couple shots the fouling seals up the threads so when shooting it there doesn't seem to be any issues with the small leaks. I shoot a couple times a month and I usually just keep oil in the barrel instead of RIG. I use RIG when I'm not going to shoot a rifle for a while. I place a plastic cap on the nipple let the hammer down and oil the barrel real well and place in the safe. I do this with all my rifles and never any leaks. After a couple days oil leaks through the nipple and clean out screw.

probably not that big of a deal but just checking to see if this is something that someone else has experienced and solved.

thanks again to all.

Trent

How much oil are you keeping in the barrel? Just a light coating will do, too much oil will cause you problems by fouling the breech.

Some like to store their BP guns muzzle down a few days or so it doesn't pool up in the bottom which can cause ignition issues when first firing on next range trip.

Im not putting a lot of oil in the barrel. Enough to cover everything good. When it is stored, that is when the oil runs down and makes it way to the bottom. That's when it leaks.

I do this same thing with 3 other rifles I shoot a lot. no issues at all with the others just this new rifle. I am looking at some anti seize that should fix it but will find out. Just figured I would throw it out there before I tried the screw "dope".

I know this post is waaaay late but, maybe someone could still be helped. Loctite makes a product that I think would work. What you would do here is , first you would put a release agent on the nipple threads. Then you put the speacial filler in the threaded hole and then screw in the nipple.Let it harden. then just turn the nipple out . Trim things up to your liking. They say this stuff is tappable and can be rethreaded. What you just did was glue in new threads. I/ve used the stuff around the shop such as pulled studs and such.I/ve never had one fail.It's not cheap, neither are parts and your time.Every thing needed is in a kit.

fleener said:

I would not shoot a rifle with loose leaking threads. It is not that hard to tap for a new nipple and screw.

fleener

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This is the solution.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

However, some cap rifles have ignition problems. A tried and true method of solving this is to drill a 1/32" hole in the front side of the drum. It eliminates back pressure. The leaking clean-out screw would probably accomplish the same thing.

OK, your GPR has a 6-.75 threaded nipple. That converts to 0.236" x 34 TPI. Re-tapping the breech plug may not be the answer, depends.

My first thought would be go 1/4 x 28, that is a nice standard size. Problem is that if you just run a 1/4 x 28 TPI tap in in there it will not clean up the threads. IN fact you will have only a few threads that actually engage. Although the nipple might feel tight, the strength will be much worse than you present loose threads.

Consider a 5/16" threaded nipple if you do this. That should clean up the old threads. Please check a thread chart before you proceed. Make sure the threads on the new nipple are nor too long for your breech plug.

Do not drill and tap it free hand! Use a mill or a a drill press with the vice secured to the table. Do not move the plug between the drilling and tapping. Use the quill with a center to guide the tap.

Another, don't remove the clean out plug. That's not it's real purpose, just a manufacturing short cut. Same with nipples. Remove maybe once a year for inspection, or if accuracy goes bad to replace. Do not shoot a gun under any circumstance with leaks around the threads. Guns that do that have a nasty habit of losing parts at high velocity, which could bring down wrath from those you are shooting next to, or otherwise deeply imbed said parts within your own anatomy.

I go the other route, my nipples come out at every cleaning, get cleaned, greased threads and replaced. Same with "clean out" screw. To each his own. BTW when one dry balls (for those of us that dont lie) its MUCH easier to get some powder in through the "clean out" screw than the nipple. Ya miss cleaning the clean out screw a few times and I am right there with ya, leave it in, it aint coming out anyway!

Rifle was bought new,Have not contacted Lyman yet,

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IMHO, that should be your first move to get a fix. That screw on the side, as others have pointed out, is not a 'clean out' thing. Once in and properly sealed it should be forgotten. If loose it can shoot a person standing to yer right side. Contact Lyman ASAP.

45 yrs and have yet to have one come even close to lossening :idunno: