Best Percussion Nipple?

Whats considered the best percussion nipple(rifle)and where do you get them?

 

[Slowpoke]

I use beryllium nipples. They're more expensive but last longer. Think you can get them from Muzzleloader Builder Supply.

 

[roundball]

Whats considered the best percussion nipple(rifle)and where do you get them?

Uncle Mikes Hot-Shot nipples are what I settled on...now TC sells them too

 

[playfarmers]

I found the Magnum Spitfire nipple the best one I have used.

 

[gmww]

I like the Hot shots too. :hatsoff:

 

Yep, Uncle Mike's Hot Shot nipples are all I have used since I found them years ago. No hang fires or hammer blow back. Some of the nipples on the market have to big a flash channel in them and cause blow back. The hot shot nipple has given me the best of service with no problems.

 

[Gr8whytenorth]

I also vote for Hot Shot Nipples....Good ignition everytime.

 

[Pittsburghunter]

I am sure this reply will be questioned but for the most part the nipple that comes on your rifle or pistol is the best with one exception I will not mention because it involves an inline rifle.

If the nipple and fire channel are clear most guns will shoot fine. Some factory nipples I have needed to be tweaked to make sure they are clear but for the most part loading makes the difference whether a gun is going to fire or not. The nipple and fire channel needs to be clear of all oil and fouling. Using real bp will also make sure the weapon fires.

The people who sell the arms test them with the nipples they come with.

 

[gmww]

The factory nipple that came with my gun is to the left. Hot shot is to the right. With the factory nipple after about 25 shots with Goex 2F I was getting mis-fires. Once I went to the other two nipples (center, right) the problem stopped. Your results may vary.

 

[stevelyn]

I had quite a few misfires and hangfires with the stock stainless nipples I got with my .54 Lyman GPR.

I switched over to CCI M11 magnum caps and changed out the nipple to a Knight Redd Hot. No misfires or hangfires that weren't self-inflicted since......and that is strictly using H Triple 7.

The magnum caps probably aren't necessary, but they do make me feel better. :grin:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have to disagree, somewhat. The effectiveness of nipples if often a function of the design of the lock to which it is attached. A drum and nipple arrangement has a built in 90 Degree angle that has to be traveled by the flame. A patent Breech usually does not have that sharp angle. Underhammer guns, and mule ear guns have the nipple screwed into the barrel, on the bottom, or side, respectively. Not only is there no Right angle to surmount, but the flame does not have to travel as far to ignite the powder. Standard primers are all that is needed. On these later two styles of actions, you probably want to use a nipple with a smaller hole, because the nipple is so close to the chamber pressure. However, the Hotshot nipple has an adequate construction, as do most of the other, after market nipples available.

The concern about blowback, where a nipple is so open that gas comes back from the rifle's chambers and blows the primer back against the hammer, making the hammer ' cock ", often far enough for the primer to leave the nipple and go flying off who-knows-where, is a real one. However, it is best dealt with by having a hammer with a proper skirt that directs any broken primer cap particles away from the shooter's face and hand. On Hawkin style guns, the skirt usually has a hairlip cut in the front of the skirt, so that any pieces fly forward, away from the hands, and face of the shooter.

I am using stainless steel nipples on my 12 ga. shotgun, and have no complaints. I have no misfires, because I took the time years ago, when I first got the gun, to grind away the face of the hammer so that it strikes the entire top of the nipple on every hit. With many strikes, the nipples show peening, a buldging of the nipple just below the top edge, which is the result of repeated blows, just as would happen if you hit a rivet with the head of a hammer. Some nipples resist this more than others. I am told the berylium copper nipples are among those, but have no personal experience with them.

 

[jabberwacky]

I had quite a few misfires and hangfires with the stock stainless nipples I got with my .54 Lyman GPR.

I switched over to CCI M11 magnum caps and changed out the nipple to a Knight Redd Hot. No misfires or hangfires that weren't self-inflicted since......and that is strictly using H Triple 7.

Seems that without mentioning powders used, stating that a particular nipple is "the best" might be a little premature. What do you guys think? When I read the first post, my immediate question was -- doesn't it depend on the granulation of powder, ignition temperatures, etc.? Maybe it's simpler than I realize, but in my mind a smaller nipple channel might work better when one is using 3F Goex say, and a larger channel might do better when using 2F? Make sense? :hmm:

 

[TN.Frank]

I've always liked Ampco and musket caps when available. Gives a hotter flame and it's still traditional.

 

[shmrck1]

tripleh,
Been using Uncle Mike's stainless/steel
nipples now for some time with CCI#11 magnum
caps and have not had a problem. I got my last
ones at DGW. At[url] www.dixiegunworks.com[/url]....I think they were around $2.50 to $3 apiece + s&h.
They also have many other brands and types.
snake-eyes :hatsoff:

 

I use the 2f Goex and Dynamit Nobel german caps with the hot shot nipple. That combo cured the ignition problems I had in any kind of weather.
I might also add that I am using the Longs Hawken breech system in my rifles.