Most shooters recognize the importance of dry fire practice to the development of off-hand shooting skills. The ability to follow through and hold the sights steadily on target until after the gun has fired is critical to accuracy. Especially when shooting flintlocks. For many muzzleloaders the question becomes, how can one dry fire the gun without damaging the lock, triggers, or percussion nipple? The solution, though not always obvious, can be very simple and easy to accomplish.
For flintlocks; simply make a flint shaped piece of hardwood and install that into the jaws of the cock with the same leather pad that holds your flint. Dry fire the gun with the frizzen closed. This will allow the frizzen to absorb the shock of the cock droping in the same manner as firing the loaded gun.
On a percussion gun, place a 1/4 inch tapered sink faucet washer over the nipple. The washer will absorb the shock from the hammer and prevent the hammer from striking the nipple.
With these simple little "hacks" you can practice and dry fire your muzzleloaders without unnecessary wear and tear on the guns.