I am new to muzzle loaders. How important is it to fire a primer before shooting the gun? Is this just recommended, or really needed?

Your answer depends upon a couple of things.

1. When you last cleaned gun, how much oil did you leave in the barrel/nipple area? Does it block the nipple? If so you will need to clean the nipple out so that the spark can reach the powder to ignite it. In this case firing a primer before loading is recommended.

2. How long have you stored the gun since the last time that you fired it? If it was only over night and the nipple area is clean and dry then no primer is needed. If it has been since last hunting season then it could have oil or bug residue in the nipple area and a primer would be needed to clear it out.

There are other scenarios that I could go into but I believe that you get my drift. I have been hunting with both traditional and inline muzzleloaders for over 30 years and as a general rule of thumb I will pop a cap to clear the nipple prior to loading. Especially if I am going to be hunting. I have never had a hang fire using this process.

Brother Phil,
If you're loading to go hunting it is very important to assure that residual oil has been removed.
1986 outside of Dripping Springs watching bambi levitate up the canyon wall like Hollywood special effects because my .54 went pop........boom taught me a lesson I'll not soon forget.