Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Shooting Traditional Firearms and Weapons => General Interest => Topic started by: Kermit on March 06, 2011, 11:14:18 PM

Title: Cap quality
Post by: Kermit on March 06, 2011, 11:14:18 PM

What's the current conventional wisdom on which brand of caps constitutes the pinnacle of ignition reliability? Where do YOU get them?

I'm back in the cap end of this game, and am out of touch with this info...

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Post by: Bigsmoke on March 07, 2011, 12:29:20 AM

Well, Kermit, I have always subscribed to the thought that RWS was the very best cap available.

Next best would probably be CCI Magnum.  

I have been having pretty good luck with the CCI Musket Caps lately.  Few if any misfires.

I have never been much of a fan of the regular CCI caps, too many misfires for me.  Others think they are pretty good, though.

After that, whatever.  I tend to stay away from any cap made in Italy, if they are still making them there.  Been a while since I paid any attention.

I have been getting my caps at a gun shop in Atascadero.  That probably won't do you much good, though.  Thought that comes to mind is next weekend at the Monroe Show.  Someone should have some caps for sale there.

Don't forget that UPS charges HazMat fees on percussion caps.

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Post by: sse on March 07, 2011, 09:58:45 AM

I've used regular CCI and for the times I had a FTF, it wasn't the cap's fault.  I tried the RWS once, and noticed it fit a little too loose on the nipple, until a few shots were fire off.

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Post by: Riley/MN on March 07, 2011, 11:15:16 AM

I like the RWS, never seemed to loose to me. Might be a QC issue? If I can't get the RWS, I try to get CCI, as they have worked great for me too.

I have been using some tins of Remingtons at the Scout camp and had some issues, but I half suspect a Scout & a snowbank had something to do with it...

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Post by: Shadow Hawk on March 07, 2011, 05:40:12 PM

I’m right there with Bigsmoke.
 I’ve preferred rws since the mid 80's.
And I am able to get them local for about 9 bucks

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Post by: Trois Castors on March 07, 2011, 05:48:37 PM

I have been using Remington caps lately,they fit good for me but they are inconsistant in their internal colouring.....why is this?Some are lime green inside and the rest are very dark green.

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Post by: Gordon H.Kemp on March 08, 2011, 08:12:43 AM

I"ve always found the Remington gave me the most consistent ignition , and except for a rare few have fit the nipples quite well. I would have to point my finger at the CVA caps for the most problems , but that was a few years ago.
      I don"t know , but suspect that CVA buys the caps frrom another Mfg. and just put their Logo on the tins . I have on hand CCI , RWS ,  Remington , and at least one other brand . It appears that the Dynomit Nobel? has the strongest ignition blast of any I"ve tried .
         I try to use real BP as opposed to the Subs , and I think that is another reason I have less problem with ignition then those that use the Subs . The Subs. require all the heat and power possible . I"m slowly but surely doing away from any cap problem by going to all flint locks  
                                 

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Post by: Three Hawks on March 10, 2011, 05:21:10 AM

I've found that keeping the snail area or the drum clean and ensuring the nipple is clear is more important than which cap one chooses.  Of late, I've been using home made caps in a Forster "Tap-O-Cap" tool.  In the last 30 years I've not had one misfire due to caps.   The commercial caps I've used are Remington and CCI.  Now I suppose the next time I attempt a shot, the Gods of brimstone and fulminate will see to it that I am thoroughly humbled.  As I'm a married man, that will take some doing, the Gods of home and hearth with the loving ministrations of my bride have seen to that well enough already.

I also read somewhere, can't remember where, that in the day the mildest caps were prized as the most consistent and reliable.  How exactly that was arrived at, I've no clue, but considering the users were sometimes up against hostile adversaries, both two and four legged, who "hunted back", I'd tend to give considerable weight to their opinions.

Three Hawks

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Post by: snake eyes on March 10, 2011, 07:56:01 AM

Kermit,
          I have used all the most talked about caps..Remington,RWS and CCI and CCI mags.Currently the only #11 caps I have are
CCI mags. For the price,and the results I get,I am very satisfied.
Although I have tried musket caps,don't,unless on a musket.No
advantage to a regular percussion rifle...IMHO
John

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Post by: Trois Castors on March 10, 2011, 09:28:56 AM

My boy has a T/C Hawken .54.......The hammer on it will sometimes  hold a spent cap or cap fragments after firing.If you don't notice, it will provide a cushion effect that won't allow the next caps to work.(just another variable to throw at ya )

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Post by: Shadow Hawk on March 10, 2011, 10:32:41 AM

i have a tc renagade and mine will also hold spent caps.
ive yet to have a miss fire from it but if i don't pay attention to it it will.

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Post by: Riley/MN on March 10, 2011, 11:08:09 AM

Do those T/C hammers have the V-notch in them? If not, I would file one in there.....

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Post by: Trois Castors on March 10, 2011, 01:16:17 PM

There is one Renegade here with a V in it and three hawkens without.I went to look in a case right now and found finish running off legitimate antiques and rusted barrels and butt plates.......I think I am going to be sick.....

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Post by: Gordon H.Kemp on March 10, 2011, 03:06:01 PM

Thats really bad news , I know its off topic but keep us posted as to the cause of the rust . the information might save others from this problem ?

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Post by: shootrj2003 on March 16, 2011, 11:07:59 PM

Sorry to hear that,Trois Castors,I have give the top spot to RWS also.

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Post by: Shadow Hawk on March 17, 2011, 06:52:41 PM

Riley yes my renagade has a notch. and im glad it does it makes it easyer to get the spent cap out.

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Post by: Kermit on March 18, 2011, 12:13:20 AM

Thanks for the help. A buddy went to Monroe and got what was there for me. I've got 1000 CCI #11's now, so that's what I'll be shooting for a while. And since I've got one capgun (and another a-buildin'), it will be a while before I run plum out.

Title: Re: Cap quality
Post by: MrFox on April 04, 2011, 01:21:53 PM

I went to a range yesterday and it was a very humid day. It was raining terribly bad all morning, cloudy through the rest of the day and raining again at night... Obviously I was shooting in between rain periods, but it was very humid day.

I have spitfire and was shooting Shockley 3F powder.
Out of 20 shots each, Remington caps had 2 or 3 slow fires (with a second delay - bum-bang), but no misfires. CCI Magnums produced 3 or 4 slow fires and 1 misfire. I'll finish up CCI magnums, but in the future would try to buy Remington caps if available.

Title: Re: Cap quality
Post by: Bigsmoke on April 05, 2011, 12:26:44 AM

The next thing you need to do now is get over the Shockley stuff and burn real powder.  Then you will be able to judge the quality of the caps for real.
Not real impressed with that imitation stuff.  Ugh!!
But if that's all you can get, just do the best you can with what you got.
John

Title: Re: Cap quality
Post by: Riley/MN on April 05, 2011, 07:34:24 AM

Quote from: "bigsmoke"

The next thing you need to do now is get over the Shockley stuff and burn real powder.
John

 

Title: Re: Cap quality
Post by: snake eyes on April 05, 2011, 07:41:05 AM

Quote from: "bigsmoke"

The next thing you need to do now is get over the Shockley stuff and burn real powder.  Then you will be able to judge the quality of the caps for real.
Not real impressed with that imitation stuff.  Ugh!!
But if that's all you can get, just do the best you can with what you got.
John

Mr Fox,
           What Bigsmoke said++++++Avoid anything "Shockley", if for no other reason, his thinking on what Traditional Muzzleloading means If you are forced to use  the imitation stuff,use pyrodex. But as BS said use the real deal.
If you can't find it let me know.
snake-eyes

Title: Re: Cap quality
Post by: MrFox on April 05, 2011, 08:46:03 AM

Well, it goes bang and it's accurate enough to hit 2" target at 50 yards. But I will switch it over to pyrodex once I burn whatever leftovers I got. I wish I have easy access for the real powder... But I will be relocating to another state soon enough and see no reason to join local clubs (or buy big cases of powder).

Title: Re: Cap quality
Post by: Riley/MN on April 05, 2011, 11:26:45 AM

Quote from: "MrFox"

But I will be relocating to another state soon enough and see no reason to join local clubs (or buy big cases of powder).

If you can't see any reason to buy 5lbs of powder, then we jist can't help ya, son!  :laffing