Disappointing Range Day

[Rfp10000]

The CCI Magnum cap work fine on my shotgun so I will keep them. I cannot get them to work on the first strike with an Uberti NMA with Treso nipples or stock nipples ....part of the reason I got Treso nipples was that they take size 11 caps so I would only need one size for both shotgun & revolver . I’ll just be on the lookout for Remington 10 or 11 caps for the revolver . I still have a fair number on hand so it’s not desperate even though they are no where to be found lately.

 

[Professor flintlock]

The CCI Magnum cap work fine on my shotgun so I will keep them. I cannot get them to work on the first strike with an Uberti NMA with Treso nipples or stock nipples ....part of the reason I got Treso nipples was that they take size 11 caps so I would only need one size for both shotgun & revolver . I’ll just be on the lookout for Remington 10 or 11 caps for the revolver . I still have a fair number on hand so it’s not desperate even though they are no where to be found lately.

Chuck the nipple in a drill then use a file to make it smaller. Little bit at a time, checking fit as you go. Just do the sides not the end. I do it all the time for a perfect fit.

 

[gustrolland]

The caps are not fully seated on the nipple -- you put the cap on the nipple then you cock the hammer and pull the trigger the hammer hits the cap and forces it down onto the nipple but does not set it off so you now cock the hammer again and pull the trigger which now fires the cap because the cap is now in full contact with the nipple.
Not all #11 or #10 percussion caps are the same and not all nipples either #10's or #11's are the same either. You either have to "dress" the nipples to fit the caps or try different caps to fit the nipples .

This true.

 

[Grenadier1758]

The CCI Magnum cap work fine on my shotgun so I will keep them. I cannot get them to work on the first strike with an Uberti NMA with Treso nipples or stock nipples ....part of the reason I got Treso nipples was that they take size 11 caps so I would only need one size for both shotgun & revolver . I’ll just be on the lookout for Remington 10 or 11 caps for the revolver . I still have a fair number on hand so it’s not desperate even though they are no where to be found lately.

Perhaps you remember my original response:

One basic observation I have made during years of shooting cap and ball revolvers is that if it takes more than 1 hammer fall for the cap to go off, then the nipple cone is too large.

Okay, @Rfp10000, do you have a digital Vernier caliper? These are quite accurate and can measure inside and outside dimensions. Study the dimensions of the caps in the above link.

Measure the tip of the nipple cone. That diameter should be about 0.160". Measure the depth of the skirt of the cap or measure the cone about 0.110" down. That diameter should be 0.165. That will give the cone some frictional grip on the cap while letting the cap fully seat on the cone. If the cone is larger than those dimensions, then the diameter of the cone will have to be reduced. You will want a nut of 6mm -0.75mm to thread the nipple to turn the nipple in an electric drill. A brief touch with a file will take off enough material for the cap to fully seat.

My last check on the price of nipples is about $30 for a set of six, which you have already spent for the Treso nipples, or $20 for an acceptable digital Vernier Caliper. If your Treso nipples don't match up with the measurements for the CCI #11 caps, then some minor work on the nipples is in order. With the present state of percussion cap supply, locating some Remington #10 caps will take a lot longer than dressing down your oversized revolver nipples.

 

[Rfp10000]

Perhaps you remember my original response:

My last check on the price of nipples is about $30 for a set of six, which you have already spent for the Treso nipples, or $20 for an acceptable digital Vernier Caliper. If your Treso nipples don't match up with the measurements for the CCI #11 caps, then some minor work on the nipples is in order. With the present state of percussion cap supply, locating some Remington #10 caps will take a lot longer than dressing down your oversized revolver nipples.

I see that I can pick up the digital Vernier tool at Harbor Freight . Would that be adequate ?
it’s amazing that an occasional cap won’t fire on strike one and that none misfire on strike 2!

 

[Grenadier1758]

Its not amazing at all for it to take two hammer falls to set off percussion caps. It is an observation from experience that the two hammer fall set off means that the nipple is too large. As can be seen from the cap size tables, caps do not all measure up to the same specifications even if they are identified as being the same size.

Yes, the Harbor Freight digital Vernier caliper is adequate. I have one and the measurements match the measurements from my Mitutoyo Vernier Caliper. Its easier to read the digital display on the Harbor Freight caliper. You will need a supply of LR44 batteries as these wear down quickly. I find, with all Vernier calipers, that compression of patch material reads thicker than when using a micrometer.

I have been showing the MidwayUSA page of calipers as a good selection of calipers and micrometers are available and I was getting tired of always recommending Harbor Freight. Do go on their website and look for a discount coupon. Or I see them in a number of magazines.

 

[Zonie]

I see that I can pick up the digital Vernier tool at Harbor Freight . Would that be adequate ?
it’s amazing that an occasional cap won’t fire on strike one and that none misfire on strike 2!

Those digital calipers are very accurate and easy to use. They are fairly inexpensive too.
The only problem I have had with them is, just about every time I want to use them, the battery is dead.
I've decided that it would be a good idea to remove the battery from the caliper when your done measuring whatever it is you want to measure. Doing that should keep the battery from running down.

I haven't tried this because I use my dial caliper with a mechanical dial on it when I want to measure things. The dial type caliper initially costs more but it's always ready to go whenever I want to use it. I own 2 digital calipers with dead batteries and 3 dial calipers that always work.

 

[mooman76]

I don't even use my digital any more. Half the time even with a new battery, it flashes low battery, and like Zonie said, the battery always seems to be dead by the time I need it so I just started grabbing the dial.

 

[mooman76]

It's a good thing I seen this. Been a long time since I used the digital and I hadn't removed the battery. I checked it and it was stating to corrode a little. I think I caught it in time though.

 

[Griz44Mag]

I had a few issues when I first got my New Model Army.
A set of SlixShot nipples cured that.
I also have a LOT fewer fired cap jams. The fired caps now fall free when the cylinder rotates, with the factory nipples I always had an issue with split cap shards falling in the action.
I can't say enough good things about those nipples.

 

[Enfield58]

Try the Slix-Shot nipples. I've got them on all of my revolvers and haven't looked back.

 

[Rfp10000]

I ended up solving the CCI magnum failure on first strike by adjusting the mainspring to its tightest setting ( right before it pops off the roller on the hammer). I never needed it near that tight with Remington caps ( which I can’t get now ) this was on an Uberti Remington NMA.