bigger than 11

[Chevy65jim]

What to do? 11's wont fit nipples,local gun shop says check upcoming gun show, supplier found here shows none in his web cat. I got BIG nipples.Does anyone else have BIG nipples? I cant get my gun togo off , cause I got BIG nipples.
I really like this old girl, sometimes I just stare at er leanin there against yhe wall, sometimes I grab er an lay er across my lap,roll er over ever so often, day dreamin bout what we could do out in the woods, sometimes I just wanna shoot er, but then I pull out one of those BIG nipples and I just cant do it.

 

[arquebus]

You don't mention what kind of gun you have. Are the nipples possibly for musket-size caps? If so, they shouldn't be too hard to find as both CCI & RWS make them. If you have an oversize rifle nipple that is still in a shootable condition you could just take it out & put it in a drill chuck & reduce the size of the cone with a file until a #11 cap will fit.
Any chance of posting a photo, so we can see what kind of gun you are talking about?

 

[Chevy65jim]

I thought about the file,Im conna try that tonight. Look under smoothbore forum, under "double gun construction". Still on first page right now. Picture there. Thanks,Jim

 

[captaincaveman]

nipples are only a couple bucks each. just replace them

Josh

 

[arquebus]

Hi Jim, checked out the photos. Bit hard to tell, but they do look like rifle, rather tham musket, nipples. Is there a chance they could be just 'mushroomed' from over use or just dryfiring? If so it wouldn't take much to restore them with a file as mentioned in earlier post. Do you know what thread is on the nipples? It may be just as easy to buy some new nipples which are made for #11 caps. Dixie carry some odd thread-size nipples as well as the standard 1/4x28, etc.
Good luck.

 

[trent/OH]

I just looked at the photos on the "Smoothbore" forum, and on my monitor, the pics clearly show what are referred to as "Buggered up" nipples. Especially the one on the right is more than mushroomed, it looks like a lollipop. They may be made of a too-soft metal, so just remove them and replace them.

 

[walruskid1]

quit dry firing it too!

 

[jdstrang]

Or go to Sears, buy one foot of that rubbedr/plastic fuel line that's about 3/8 od and 1/8 id, cut it up into half-inch lengths and slide that over the nipples for dry-firing. Done right, it absorbs all the hammerstrike and the nipples escape unharmed. :hmm:

 

[Chevy65jim]

OK,I'm lookin at Wolf Tracks and they sell nipples in over sizes from .005 to .035 in .005 increments. I've got 3 nipples that measure .175 and 1 thats.165. A #11 cap measures .165 id. Best thing for me is buy 4 nipples and git on with it.
Oh yea, I dont dry fire any gun, if I squeeze the trigger, yer gonna hear more than a click or you wont hear anything.But just in case I git the urge to ,do I have to rehose after every shot or are htey good for a couple rounds?

 

[jdstrang]

But just in case I git the urge to ,do I have to rehose after every shot or are they good for a couple rounds?

Nah, each little chunk lasts for dozens and dozens of dry-fires. I've still got 8 inches of the original foot I bought 7-8 years ago. Not a bad practice tool for a $2 lifetime supply...

 

[Dave K]

The meaning of "over size nipples" refers to the thread, not the area that the cap fits on. Some older guns have had their threaded area where the nipple threads into wore over size. So replacing it with a good over sized threaded nipple saves alot of grief. To any one else reading this, please make sure you have good thread engagement and not just a tight friction fit. You don't want a nipple imbedded in your forehead.

 

[Chevy65jim]

Thanks for clearin that up,Dave. ( I'm gonna pump a couple more questions into this raft,see if it'll float another day) It looks like I may have to order ammo, I wanna make certain to get it right,so i miked the bores. Three differant guns,.437"---.312"----.337" Taken at muzzle and at widest point. Calibres ?
I'm really lookin forward to shootin a ML and I'm tryin cover all the bases to make sure its as cool as can be,this old gun didn;t come with instructions.Thanks for all the info,and BS,too

 

[Denny/Oh]

Don't you need to get oversized taps too?

I don't think its goin to work out too well without tapping the hole out.

 

[Dave K]

Another way to check bore dia. easily is with a drill bit. Carefully put one in until you find one that won't slide down. Don't get one stuck though! Reason I like this method is at the muzzle you may have a muzzle that is slightly coned and that will give you a false reading. If you have some cleaning jags, they will work also. Wrap one with tape, attach to your cleaning rod and gently lower it in the bore. Add or remove tape until it is a nice, but gently snug fit and then measure that.

 

[Dave K]

Yes, if the threads in the drum/breech area are in question, a tap is best. They are available oversize from many of the ML'er suppliers. I do know that Track of the Wolf, has them. Many times though ,the threads are ok and just going to oversize threaded nipples will be fine. If in doubt, don't risk your health, get it done to get a good fit between nipple and gun. I have had more than one old gun(100+yrs old) that for some reason a standard 1/4-28 thread was not good but it seems that many were good with a .260-28 or .265-28 thread nipple. I have created a habit of keeping the full spectrum of nipple sizes in stock so I can go play with the new toys when I bring them home.