bad caps or hardware issue

[new2bp]

Hit the range today, took along both my known-good-for-nipple Remington #10s and the new CCI #11s I got a few days ago.

The CCIs were nice and tight on the nipple, but when I drop the hammer on 'em I get no boom. Or pffft. Or anything but a "click".

Remove cap, and it is empty of powder/primer/compound/magic stuff. Look at nipple, it is clogged with what I'm guessing is percussion compound. Hit it with a pick and drop a #10 Remington on and kaboom.

Tried 3 out of the 100.

Bad caps? Bad match between nipple, hammer and cap?

Bad caps I'll take up with CCI... but what about bad match on the hardware end? Just get a new #11 nipple and hope?

 

[Phil Coffins]

Try dropping the hammer again with out removing the cap. This can be done with out loading the gun. If the cap fit is too tight the second hit can pop the cap. If not then bad caps are possible.

 

[new2bp]

Try dropping the hammer again with out removing the cap. This can be done with out loading the gun. If the cap fit is too tight the second hit can pop the cap. If not then bad caps are possible.

Yup, did that with all three. Which is why I'm leaning towards it being bad caps.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Another easy test is, with your safety glasses on, place a cap on a hard surface and smash it with a hammer.

 

[Mad Professor]

What gun? And is the nipple intended for 10 or 11s?

 

[deermanok]

I find that some of those CCI caps are duds.
I can deal with it at the range but it would suck to have one on the gun when that big buck is in your sights.

 

[new2bp]

CVA Lynx in 54 side lock percussion

I assumed the nipple would be #11 since is a rifle but not an antique that could use musket caps

First got it a few weeks ago and was pleased to see the #10 Remingtons I got with my 1858 clone fit and worked fine

 

[new2bp]

I find that some of those CCI caps are duds.
I can deal with it at the range but it would suck to have one on the gun when that big buck is in your sights.

Ive taken stats and know what the chances of 3 in a row out of 100 are

 

[deermanok]

I personally prefer those German made RWS caps. Never had a dud cap using them.

 

[dave951]

This sounds like a similar problem with Scheutzen caps. The metal of the cap is a tad harder than RWS so a nipple with some fouling or a slightly "off" profile will not allow the cap to fully seat. First hammer strike seats it but it won't go off and the flash channel will look "clogged" with the compound. A second strike pops it every time. Simple solution is to polish the nipple and make sure it and the hammer are clean.

 

[Flintlock]

Sounds like a moisture problem if the caps are loosing there compound.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

I had a similar experience last week. Had a new (to me) musket at the range. Fired three shots with no issues. Fourth shot was "click, no boom". Found that the cap contained no compound, just a shiny brass interior. I laid out the rest on a towel and inspected them all. Found seven that had no compound in them. In the tin was a couple of lumps of compound (enough for three caps). CCI brand. Never had a bad cap from RWS (and I shot thousands in N-SSA competition.)

ADK Bigfoot

 

[dave951]

I had a similar experience last week. Had a new (to me) musket at the range. Fired three shots with no issues. Fourth shot was "click, no boom". Found that the cap contained no compound, just a shiny brass interior. I laid out the rest on a towel and inspected them all. Found seven that had no compound in them. In the tin was a couple of lumps of compound (enough for three caps). CCI brand. Never had a bad cap from RWS (and I shot thousands in N-SSA competition.)

ADK Bigfoot

Was that CCI Reenactor caps?

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

No.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[ohio ramrod]

I find that some of those CCI caps are duds.
I can deal with it at the range but it would suck to have one on the gun when that big buck is in your sights.

Which is why when hunting I use only RWS caps.I believe they are less sensitive to moisture than CCI caps.

 

[LME]

Sounds like a moisture problem if the caps are loosing there compound.

I agree unless CCI had a problem which I doubt? I have used a ton of CCI caps and they are my prefered caps. There are other brands that perform very well I got a case of CCI,s! If I had to buy a few caps I wouldn't hessitate buying them.

 

[ernbar]

I personally prefer those German made RWS caps. Never had a dud cap using them.

And me on the other hand have experienced a bunch of duds with the RWS caps, none with Remington or Winchester.

 

[deermanok]

And me on the other hand have experienced a bunch of duds with the RWS caps, none with Remington or Winchester.

I always liked the Remington caps too. Never can find them anymore. Never had a chance to try Winchester.

 

[Rifleman1776]

The CCIs were nice and tight on the nipple, but when I drop the hammer on 'em I get no boom. Or pffft. Or anything but a "click".

Probably too small for your nipple. First hammer fall will push them down, second usually fires. You need #11 caps or new nipple. Or, more better, get a flintlock.

 

[new2bp]

Probably too small for your nipple. First hammer fall will push them down, second usually fires. You need #11 caps or new nipple. Or, more better, get a flintlock.

They are #11s ...