If you're doing that with a wheel gun now you would have to waste six caps.
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Does anyone even do this anymore?
- Thread starter SwampBilly
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Then there are the rest of us who have not been at it that long and we have to make do with what we have nowadays.
I guess my post is more geared towards those of us that don't have 40 years worth of caps stockpiled up.
I'm glad you are sitting so pretty on caps.... cherish them.
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I use to do it as a force of habit, the same as others, point the muzzle at a leaf or blade of grass to see if it moves. BUT!! It’s a habit I’m quickly breaking. I clean the bore and breech area with acetone (just because I have it) and a shot of canned air. Then I’m good to go. With the scarcity and price of caps I try not to waste them.
I’ve always snapped a cap before the first shot with my rifles. While the channel may be clear, it’s just a safeguard against residual oil/lube from the previous cleaning. Whether it makes a difference or not may be a question, but never had a “fail to fire” in about five decades.
Sometimes, with a light weight oil, there will be light that passes through the oil. It's probably thin enough that the cap will fire through it. Back when caps were only about $0.02 a cap, firing 6 caps was a quick way to clear the nipples and burn out any oil in the cylinder. Now, a wipe with an alcohol or acetone dampened patch followed by a blast of compressed air through the nipple or a nipple pick made from 24 or 22 gauge wire will clear flash hole without wasting percussion caps.
I belong to a small muzzleloader group of about 12 or so, and all but me Bust a cap before the first load when the line gets hot. If I'm shooting one of my cap locks, i don't do that. I quit several years ago, I take the nipple out when I clean, shoot some brake cleaner down through the hole of the channel that the cap explosion would follow, then hit that with a blast of air, run all the patches in with the gun horizontal and then stored with the muzzle down. I run a small wire that I have, that came off of a bike shifter lever, thru the hole when I have the nipple out. I also clean my flintlock with the barrel horizontal on a bench, rather than with the butt on the ground. I try not to over oil the bore, but if I do, with the gun horizontal and then standing with the barrel down, seems to keep the bottom end dry.
Squint
so what?
No matter how sparingly you lube the barrel after cleaning, storing the weapon muzzle up will slowly pool residual oil in the breach, clogging flash holes and fouling (wetting) the first load of the day. Store muzzle down to help with first shot and keep oil from staining wood stocks.
I was thinking long guns. It depends on how you look at it as to whether it is a waste. How do you clear the nipples on your six shooters?
For me it is a spray of alcohol and a blast of low pressure air ( 50 lbs). For me no fuss no muss, for others it is your choice.
When shooting my percussion rifles I always pop a cap or two before I load them. Never had an issue and like so many others have said better than having to pull a ball or a nipple .
Malamute
40 Cal
I havent done it with revolvers in a long time, but after I clean one after shooting, I load it right away with a dry chamber, so no oil to worry about.
I don't think I've ever done that with my revolver. Since that spark isn't having to hook through a drum or patent breech, then I didn't really see a need.
After cleaning, I replace all my nipples by sticking a toothpick through the hole, applying the grease to The threads, then screwing it in with the toothpick. I know at that point that everything is clear.
After cleaning, I replace all my nipples by sticking a toothpick through the hole, applying the grease to The threads, then screwing it in with the toothpick. I know at that point that everything is clear.
yes
Always at least one before loading my rifles.
Never done it on a revolver, that’s just stupid. You can look through the nipple and see that it’s clear.
Edit to add on my flint guns I run a couple of alcohol soaked patches down the bore and let dry before loading before loading.
Never done it on a revolver, that’s just stupid. You can look through the nipple and see that it’s clear.
Edit to add on my flint guns I run a couple of alcohol soaked patches down the bore and let dry before loading before loading.
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I did not for the first time ever yesterday. No issues. I oil I don't soak. Barely leave any residue. The benefits of LOW humidity. That and our shade works.
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I always snap a cap on percussion guns to burn/blast away any oil that might be there. I always shoot a blank charge out of a flinter before I do a full load, to again dry any oil, and also to be sure it will shoot before I jam a ball etc. down and then find that something is haywire and having to get a soggy load out. Cheap insurance.
Uncle Miltie
50 Cal.
I always clear any percussion arm (even revolvers) with caps. The time I am able to shoot is valuable to me and I won't shortchange that even a little bit.
