#11 Percussion Caps?

[Bigsmoke]

Last May or June, I started looking around for some shot in preparation for going up to attend a couple of RDV's in Idaho.  Here on the Central California Coast, that is at best an endangered species.  Ain't to be found for any price.  And I kinda doubt if I would have purchased any shot for $50 for a 25 pound sack.  I sure don't care that much for shotgun shooting.
On the other hand, I never got around to shooting any smoothbore matches up there, so it was a moot point anyway.

John (Bigsmoke)

[Fyrstyk]

Natchez Shooting has CCI #11 currently.  Have to buy 1000.  Price is high, but I think that is going to be standard when and if these items become readily available again.

[Uncle Russ]

Last May or June, I started looking around for some shot in preparation for going up to attend a couple of RDV's in Idaho.  Here on the Central California Coast, that is at best an endangered species.  Ain't to be found for any price.  And I kinda doubt if I would have purchased any shot for $50 for a 25 pound sack.  I sure don't care that much for shotgun shooting.
On the other hand, I never got around to shooting any smoothbore matches up there, so it was a moot point anyway.

John (Bigsmoke)

Not caring that much for Shotgun shooting,  I totally understand.
However, when the well ran dry on lead shot here in the Columbia Basin I was shooting 200 shots each weekend at registered Trap Birds, and registered as a AA Shooter.
Without shooting at least 600 to 800 birds before the competition,  I can hardly keep my rating, lost it too many times already, and it takes 3 registered matches to bring it back up....some call it sandbagging, and it's just not my style 
But that is all a hoss of a different color, and for another day.
Yes, $50 bucks for a 25# bag is ridiculous, and it'll never happen again.
As far as my.69 smoothie, and my .62 smoothie,  50# of 7-1/2's will likely last me the rest of my life, and I have a lot more than that on hand.
Best regards.  Stop by sometime when you're in this neck of the woods.
Coffee is always on and the Bar is open.

[Swamppanther]

Check out. . . . .

Sharpshooter 22LR Reloader

They got the makings for 10 and 11 caps.

[Winter Hawk]

I picked up a cap maker that I haven't tried yet. Too many projects, too little time.

So how has that cap maker been working out for you?  I've been thinking of getting one myself.  Is it from the Sharpshooter outfit?

~Kees~

[Ohio Joe]

I believe there are some YouTube video's out there that show how to make the caps from a pop can (w/ the cap forming punch) and where to get the mix... There are even some showing how to use the caps of a toy cap pistol (but they don't seem to be very reliable).

Don't get me wrong / I love my cap lock rifles - but there's a lot to be said for the flintlock. Of course flintlocks need "real" black powder all the time / and percussion can use either real, fake, or both. I've known people to duplex load real and fake black powder - but I have no use for that route at all.

[Ohio Joe]

Just wondering if the cap problem has gotten any better (my guess is that it hasn't)? You can bet we'll be paying a higher price for everything right now, with all this inflation and supply in demand, (the latter always in question when this kind of stuff happens to our economy...)

I'd recommend;

Get (or make) a good flintlock rifle or pistol (whichever you prefer / or both) if you're not going to make your own caps.

Stock up on powder - you never know when it will dry up.

If you're only shooting (25 to 50/60 yards) most the time, cut back on your powder charge if you haven't already. There's certainly something to be said for having and shooting a small bore flintlock such as .32 / .36 / or .40 caliber... Even a .45 caliber will give good results from 25 to 50 yards with a 40 / 45 grain charge - just like a .40 caliber will with 35 to 40 grains... (Naturally there will have to be some sight adjustments).

Seems like all we've been doing for the last 10 out of 14 years is shooting on a budget with more ammo related shortages and higher prices than ever before...

Plan a' head during the good times, 'cause without a doubt, there will be bad times with shortages that should never happen in America - but it does...

[Winter Hawk]

I'm thinking I may need to get some more flints, but I have enough powder and lead to last me until I can't shoot any more.  I'm still thinking about getting one of those cap maker thingies but what size to get is a question.

~Kees~

[Ohio Joe]

#11 is for the Rifle Nipple's, and #10 are for Revolver Nipples (although I just get the #11's and pinch them a' little bit before putting them on a Revolver Nipple. Have never had an issue going that route. 

[Butler Ford 40]

I've gotten fortunate enough over the decades to sometimes decipher the writings on the wall.  I'm good on cap's so I haven't been too awfully concerned, therefore haven't tried the cap maker.  However!  I recently checked my other box of "caps" and found it to be dwindling!  Guess I'm going have to grab a shovel and dig some more!   



Not doing a very good job of posting pictures, sorry

[Winter Hawk]

Those look like the railroad ballast around here. I think I'll try to "mine" for some myself.  Then comes the learning curve on flaking them!   

~Kees~