?? About Musket Caps

[NoJacketRequired]

Just a curiosity question here for those with more experience than I. The "top hat" style musket cap seems to have lots of little fingers sticking out from its sides. Don't these snag on just about everything when being used in a hunting situation? Looking at them gives me the idea they might get hooked on your coat or pants and pop off the nipple. Am I way off base here?

And for those who would ask, no, I've never shot a musket cap, only no.11's, so my question comes from having absolutely no experience in this field. Please excuse my ignorance! ;-)

 

[musketman]

I have used musket caps for years and I have yet to have a problem with snagging the cap, I will snag the hammer and ramrod first before the caps...

I have found that the folded edges of the musket cap aid in the removal of caps, both spent and unused...

I also use a leather capper and the edges of the musket cap keep the caps from pushing through, in short, the musket cap is OK...

 

Musketman has the reason for the wings on the cap- for rapid removal from the nipple. As far as snagging, I've not had that problem with the 1863 rifled musket as they seem to be protected by other more snag-prone parts of the rifle, like the hammer nose and ear. Being, as they are, sort-of protected by the bolster, they're pretty much 'snag-free'. The wings help with orientation when picking them from the depths of the pouch increase the rate of speed of capping the piece.
Daryl

 

[sabotloader]

I also have used Musket caps quite a bit in the field. The top hat has never really caused me a problem, but if you would prefer a rim-less musket cap, the European musket caps from Germany really work well. My only concern with musket caps, a minor concern, they do not fit the nipple as snuggly as does the #11, and I only use #11 magnums. Because of that I am always concerned about them falling off the nipple.

 

[NoJacketRequired]

Thanks for the helpful replies! I always have trouble picking crushed No.11 caps out of the hammer and thought the folded edges of the musket cap would help in that regard. Thanks for confirming this. And for putting to rest my concerns about inadvertant removal of the cap in hunting situations. Methinks I'll be searching for musket cap nipples for my Hawken rifles...

One other question. I see lots of advertising which indicates musket caps are hotter than No.11's. Since the folks here have lots of experience in using all flavours of both musket caps, I'm wondering if your experience supports or refutes the advertising claims? Is a musket cap more likely to provide reliable ignition than a No.11 or a No.11 Magnum cap? I guess what I'm after is that if I switch to musket caps I want to have ignition which will be at least as reliable, if not better than I currently have with the No.11's.

And of course, that begs the next ridiculous question. Since the in-line world has gone hog-wild over 209 primers, when's somebody going to come up with a 209 nipple for our sidehammer guns? (Now you know why I said it was goin' to be a ridiculous question!) ;-)

 

Manufacturers of musket caps claim 7 time the VOLUME of flame, not necessarily hotter fire.
Volume is good.
I use musket nipples on my T/C N.E. shotgun, and a couple T/C rifles. They work very well indeed.
The #11 Mag. from CCI is supposed to be hotter and throw a bit more fire. I use these also and they work very well.

 

[musketman]

Another plus for musket caps, they are larger in size...

Doesn't sound like much of a big deal now, but when you are out hunting in the winter and you can't feel the tips of your fingers, those larger caps are worth their weight in gold...