westrayer
40 Cal
My new to me Deerstalker has the original nipple. It shows its wear. A bit of flattening. What is a good replacement? How do the stainless-steel nipples hold up?
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Nipple replacement
- Thread starter westrayer
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westrayer
40 Cal
How about HotSHot?
You probably already know this, not all rifles take the same nipple, my Lyman trade rifle takes a 6-.75 thread and my T/C Cherokee takes a 12-28 thread nipple. check to make sure the nipple you decide on will fit your rifle.
westrayer
40 Cal
Yes, I know that the Lyman are metric. From what I see, that doesn't affect availability options.
Stainless holds up fine. I have 1000-1500 rounds on mine and no mushrooming so far. I use slixshot nipples on my revolvers but don't want fire coming out the side of my musket nipple so I don't know about hotshots.
If the problem is flattening, you can revive with a fine file to make the cap fit again.
westrayer
40 Cal
Not a problem to do a bit of filing, but I was wondering if replacing with a stainless nipple might prevent further issues.
Consider replacing existing with either Tresco or TOW hardened nipples. Even if you work the existing nipple with a file so caps fit, there is a good chance that the orifice in that nipple is worn and enlarged.
Replacement is an easy inexpensive fix. When you order your replacement, buy two and you’ll have a spare.
If you shoot your rifle enough nipples are consumable items. Your rifle was built by Investarm for Lyman. I have a couple Investarm-built guns and the stainless or AMPCO bronze nipples available for them from Track of the Wolf are good to go. It's a good idea to have a spare anyway, in case you drop it while cleaning and it rolls off never to be found. Cheap insurance against making your rifle useless.
Track of the Wolf has not offered the Tresco AMPCO nipples for years, replacing them with their hardened 416 stainless steel ones, which they claim are an improvement over AMPCO. Can’t say for sure yet, but for shooting heavy conicals over heavy charges, the hardened 416 stainless is performing at least as well as the AMPCO in my opinion. Doubt you could go wrong with either for the money.
give me you address I'll send you a free nipple what tread is it 12/28?
I've got stainless on a few of my guns and they've held up fine for me. Avoid dry firing and they last a lot longer.
The on-the-shelf Traditions nipples work great in my Traditions Hawkens. They are a bit on the soft side, but you should get over a hundred PRB shots out of one with moderate loads. Maybe a lot more. [70 grns of t-7 for me] Conical loads will open up the flash hole more quickly, so watch for your lock ending up on half cock after firing. Time for a new nipple. Full cock means you are slamming the snot out of your lock. No bueno.
For TC's that are a bit more finicky about ignition, I like the Knight Red Hots. The vented Hot Shots were terrible in my 2 TC's but others love them, so possibly worth a try. I think the vents release too much pressure in trying to get the flame through the patented breach to the charge. Maybe just a 'me' problem, or my rifles. You will have to pay attention to your flash hole size if you use them because the vents keep you from getting the half cock warning when your flash hole gets dangerously large. If the hole gets much larger than a standard paper clip, it's too large. IME, TC's prefer a larger flash hole than the Traditions.
.030-.034 for the TC's and quite a bit smaller for the Trads. Not sure the exact size for them. I just buy them in a 2 pack and go hunting. They are stainless. Good luck. SW
For TC's that are a bit more finicky about ignition, I like the Knight Red Hots. The vented Hot Shots were terrible in my 2 TC's but others love them, so possibly worth a try. I think the vents release too much pressure in trying to get the flame through the patented breach to the charge. Maybe just a 'me' problem, or my rifles. You will have to pay attention to your flash hole size if you use them because the vents keep you from getting the half cock warning when your flash hole gets dangerously large. If the hole gets much larger than a standard paper clip, it's too large. IME, TC's prefer a larger flash hole than the Traditions.
.030-.034 for the TC's and quite a bit smaller for the Trads. Not sure the exact size for them. I just buy them in a 2 pack and go hunting. They are stainless. Good luck. SW
The stainless-steel nipples hold up very well. It is important to remember that nipples are a consumable item and will need to be replaced eventually. One indication is when accuracy suddenly falls off. Another indication is when it takes two hammer falls to fire a cap. I have had good performance and long life using the Hot shot nipples on my T/C. Using the nipples designed to deliver more heat to the powder charge is a good practice. The hardened Track of the Wolf nipples are also a good replacement.
Stainless or the bronze by Treso.
SeaBee133
40 Cal
My GPR has a nice shiny silver nipple. Rifle is a 1990, so would assume it has been swapped at some point. No issues going bang with the apparently stainless steel nipple.
Next time it needs replacing, will likely convert it for musket caps. Easier to cap than #11s with arthritic fingers.
Next time it needs replacing, will likely convert it for musket caps. Easier to cap than #11s with arthritic fingers.
Indeed. Nipples are a consumable item. The hole in them will change over time, depending on the amount of shots. IMO, for as affordable as they are, it makes perfectly good sense to purchase, and keep, several on hand. TOTW stainless nipples have proven to hold up well for me. Order several at the same time and save on shipping as well.
