Traditions Shedhorn failing to set off #11 caps

bassmastar34 · Jun 24, 2024

I just recently bought my first muzzleloader and got the traditions shedhorn and after first trip to the range I am running into a issue with my caps. I have the stainless #11 nipple installed and my RWS 1075 plus caps will not go off from the hammer reliably. I had some that took 5-10 hammer falls before the cap would go off. out of 20 caps that i tried maybe 3 fired first try. When the cap goes off the rifle shot fine. The caps are seated all the way on the nipple to the best of my ability. I question if it could just be bad batch of caps because it took 3 hits from a hammer to set one off on the concrete as well. anyone else have this same trouble with rws caps or is there something I am doing wrong?
any help would be great.

kyron4 · Jun 25, 2024

I would try another nipple first and eliminate the nipple as the source of the issue.

SDSmlf · Jun 25, 2024

bassmastar34 said:
I just recently bought my first muzzleloader and got the traditions shedhorn and after first trip to the range I am running into a issue with my caps. I have the stainless #11 nipple installed and my RWS 1075 plus caps will not go off from the hammer reliably. I had some that took 5-10 hammer falls before the cap would go off. out of 20 caps that i tried maybe 3 fired first try. When the cap goes off the rifle shot fine. The caps are seated all the way on the nipple to the best of my ability. I question if it could just be bad batch of caps because it took 3 hits from a hammer to set one off on the concrete as well. anyone else have this same trouble with rws caps or is there something I am doing wrong?
any help would be great.

If they eventually went off after multiple hammer strikes the nipple is likely too large for the percussion caps you are using, or possibly the gun’s mainspring is too weak/light.

Assuming for the moment it is your nipple being too large, requiring multiple hammer strikes before the cap is fully seated, do you have a different brand of caps or a different nipple you could try? If not, pretty simple to reduce the nipple cone diameter. Before going that route, try a different manufacturer’s cap, and maybe get a couple of nipples headed your way for future ‘experimentation’.

russellshaffer · Jun 25, 2024

Try seating the cap on the nipple, then lower the hammer gently against it. Push hard on the hammer to get the cap all the way down. It will not go off doing this but keep it pointed down range anyhow. Works for me.

longcruise · Jun 25, 2024

That three strikes with a hammer has me thinking cap problem although the oversized nipple has always been the problem if mine were reluctant to go off.

What is a Shedhorn? Never heard of that one.

ETipp · Jun 25, 2024

Is the hammer striking the nipple properly?

bassmastar34 · Jun 25, 2024

i swapped nipples and still takes multiple strikes to set them off best i can tell there is slight offset from the hammer to the nipple face. would that be enough to prevent them from firing?

airiest-falcon0n · Jun 25, 2024

RWS 1075 means 10 & 3/4’s - made to fit both 10 & 11 nipples, so it doesn’t seat properly on 11. Either slightly sand/file nipple for better fit, or press them down harder when installing, as suggested above. I had same problem til I figured it out. I mash mine down w/hammer…

Frontier's · Jun 25, 2024

Sounds like caps to me.

rafterob · Jun 25, 2024

Not the caps, classic too big of a nipple issue. Above poster is correct, 1075's are slightly smaller than #11 caps. Chuck your nipple in a drill and run it against a flat file. A little at a time, check for fit and repeat. I have done this multiple times over the years.. My latest supply of caps are 1075+. I had to file down the nipples on both of my percussion rifles to accommodate them.

Grenadier1758 · Jun 25, 2024

Is there anything in the cup of the hammer that is striking the nipple? Sometimes cap fragments and fouling can build up a cushion. Is the center of the nose of the hammer striking the nipple? If the hammer is offset enough to be dragging on the side of the nipple, that can prevent the cap from firing. May have to bend the hammer.

bassmastar34 · Jun 25, 2024

well looks like everyone suggesting pushing the hammer against the cap was right i can feel the cap slide just slightly further than i can get with my capper onto the nipple and got 10 caps in a row to fire first strike. I will have to sand or file one of my nipples to see it i can get them seated properly without having to use the hammer

longcruise · Jun 25, 2024

rafterob said:
Not the caps, classic too big of a nipple issue

That was my go to also but he mentioned that he had to hit one three times with a hammer on concrete to get it to go off.

Eterry · Jun 25, 2024

bassmastar34 said:
well looks like everyone suggesting pushing the hammer against the cap was right i can feel the cap slide just slightly further than i can get with my capper onto the nipple and got 10 caps in a row to fire first strike. I will have to sand or file one of my nipples to see it i can get them seated properly without having to use the hammer

Late to the party, but I'd not use a file or sandpaper. Start with some course steel wool, you don't want a rough surface to try to slide the cap down. It'll just hang up more. That and $2. Will get you a cop of coffee most places.

Hermit Tim · Jun 25, 2024

Other than this cap issue, what do you think about the Shedhorn? I've seen them online for sale but haven't actually seen one. Wondering how different it is from the Traditions Deerhunter.

bassmastar34 · Jun 26, 2024

Hermit Tim said:
Other than this cap issue, what do you think about the Shedhorn? I've seen them online for sale but haven't actually seen one. Wondering how different it is from the Traditions Deerhunter.

I got the stainless with synthetic stock and my thoughts so far are:
Pros- it is very light so it will be easy to pack around for hunts, i hunt on or around saltwater so the stainless barrel is awesome, triggers/lock/fit and finish are good, removable breach is nice for obvious reasons
Cons- the rifle is very light so my load of 90 gr 777 hornady great plains 385 kicks like a mule, the sights are ok they were slightly over tightened from the factory so adjustments were hard because of a small burr on the dovetail from the set screw.
for the price i think it is a good place for someone new to muzzleloading like myself.

Frontier's · Jun 26, 2024

That's cerakote not stainless, just remember that when it comes to cleaning and oiling.

SDSmlf · Jun 26, 2024

Frontier's said:
That's cerakote not stainless, just remember that when it comes to cleaning and oiling.

Correct. And even if were stainless steel, it would still corrode if not properly cared for.

ILoveMuzzleloading · Jun 27, 2024

If nipple is too large, I've heard some chuck it up in a lathe or drill and use a file to cone the side walls of the nipple, making the top narrower than it comes stock. Have to be careful though, take some off, check, take some off, check.

longcruise · Jun 27, 2024

The Traditions site says they use a musket cap. Maybe the configuration requires the musket nipple and cap.

Traditions Shedhorn failing to set off #11 caps

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