Some pencils are too soft and they don't resist the firing pin enough to launch the pencil into the air, I use a plastic rod, but that won't fly, either, if the pin strikes a hole or much battered portion of the plastic rod. You can maybe try a plastic Bic pen or something that fits.
USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf
Thomas Jefferson said
“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
and
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".