Brownie
36 Cl.
If you were to precut your patches square or round what size would the be for a 32,45,50 caliber. Also, where can I get some sort of nipple cover for while I am walking.
couple of questions
- Thread starter Brownie
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I have an old arch punch that cuts 1 1/8" patches that I use for all of the calibers you have listed. As far as a nipple cover, I just drill out a lead ball and slip it over cap and let the hammer rest on it while walking around.
look a pre cut patches and that will tell you. too large a patch may get caught up in your loading jag... about the cover... do you want to cover a capped nor uncapped nipple??
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drill another hole and attach a thong tied to the trigger guard and it won't get lost in your pocket with the other balls.
It's the patch thickness that's the crucial factor more so than the size. Thickness is dependent on the projectile size versus the bore dimension. These factors vary even within a given caliber.
For covering the nipple while walking I use a spent .22 casing. An LR case works fine but I prefer a short. That was a suggestion from another member a couple years ago I tried and it worked. Can't remember who it was or I'd give them credit for it.
Phil Coffins
69 Cal.
I wonder what Kit Carson or the rest of the frontier rifle men used?
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Deer Creek Products has cap covers and about 1" square or round would cover those calibers.
longcruise
70 Cal.
For a cap cover, a small round piece of thickish leather on a tough piece of string or a piece of Leather lace tied to the trigger guard and placed on top of the capped nipple with the hammer holding it down. It will fall away when you bring the hammer to half or full cock.
For size of precut patches if you go with the circumference of a ball for minimum width of a square or round patch, it won't be too small.
C=pi x diameter so for 50 caliber:
C= 3.14 X .50 = 1.57" doesn’t have to be exact. If you round it to at least 1.5" it will not be too small and a little bigger won't hurt.
for 45-58 i precut my patches approx 11/2" square for 40cal and less i cut approx 3/4" square
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As stated earlier the thickness matters more than size. I have patches of various sizes and can use a 1" square up to a 2-1/4" round or square. on my 50 or 54. Some fit looser and some are very tight. In the end they all work.
As for a nipple guard, I've always used half-cock. Some may say it's unsafe but in 40 years it has worked safely for me.
As for a nipple guard, I've always used half-cock. Some may say it's unsafe but in 40 years it has worked safely for me.
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If walking around why not just cover it with a cap. Or in area where it cannot have cap simply lower the hammer all the way down walla no more issue the cupping made into the hammer will cover nipple.
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I got think about nipple covers that might be cheap. I saw several shot shotgun primers on the bench at the range. Drilled them out and they slip right on my nipple. Not water tight, but does protect the nipple.
Attachments
I'm just wondering if that offers enough protection for dry firing?
Old Hawkeye
50 Cal.
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Car tire valve stem caps make ideal "nipple covers", capped or uncapped. Lower the hammer on them & they are pretty much water tight as well. If you drop one in the field it's no big deal as they are so cheap. I buy them by the dozens.
Use shot cut at muzzle patches for a guide.
ckwilli
36 Cl.
I have a piece of leather tied to my trigger guard as others have mentioned. It’s a longer piece that will fall away when I cock the hammer.
Dang it. Now I have to...I wouldn’t recommend a google search for “nipple covers”.
I simply use a foam hearing protection ear plug over the nipple. They are cheap and I keep two or three in my shooting bag just in case I lose one.
When hunting, I put a cap on and just set the hammer to half. But if there is rain or snow, I will put the ear plug over the cap and set the hammer fully down onto it. Dense enough to keep moisture out. If a shot opportunity happens, I can easily flick it off once the hammer is all the way back.
I often leave the rifle loaded between hunting days. I remove the cap and the ear plug goes over the nipple with the hammer down on it for that too. Helps to keep out moisture and the yellow ear plug makes a great visual indicator to remind me the rifle is already charged.
When hunting, I put a cap on and just set the hammer to half. But if there is rain or snow, I will put the ear plug over the cap and set the hammer fully down onto it. Dense enough to keep moisture out. If a shot opportunity happens, I can easily flick it off once the hammer is all the way back.
I often leave the rifle loaded between hunting days. I remove the cap and the ear plug goes over the nipple with the hammer down on it for that too. Helps to keep out moisture and the yellow ear plug makes a great visual indicator to remind me the rifle is already charged.
