How Do I Get Rid of Old Percussion Caps?

[necchi]

dig a deep hole, throw them in

I've done that, but not too deep, just a spade, in a forgotten corner. Done and no worries.

 

[S.Kenton]

Use them to clear the fire channel before you load a charge.

Snap a cap with those, saves on fresh caps when they are not found on store shelves.

I’ve done this too with my old corroded caps. This is probably the best idea when you question the reliability of your caps.

 

[Joemolf]

Civil War Surplus? How many we talking about?

 

[toot]

if you didn't want them, as stated chuck then in your garbage! a whole lot about nothing.

 

[FishDFly]

An individual asks some (allegedly) knowledgeable and experienced folks how to safely dispose of something he thinks could possibly constitute a hazard and it is a joke?

Recently there was some discussion on why folks leave ML very quickly and the answer was snarky answers to questions concerning help and guidance.

The OP asked a question and look at the answers he received. He did not ask if he should get rid of them, but how.

It is his choice to do so, so much for mentoring new folks to the sport.

The OP has been here for 17 years with 106 posts, bet he does not come back.

See below, it continues.

 

[Coinneach]

Shoot them.

Agreed, its the safest way.
Why not keep them for when you want to clear the Nipple before firing ?

 

[Coinneach]

Iv'e used caps that where Victorian & where in India they didn't fail me if I only opened one tin .
Rudyard

They'd be the ones issued to you during the Mutiny I suppose Ruddy .....

 

[Coinneach]

if you didn't want them, as stated chuck then in your garbage! a whole lot about nothing.

Nope, its damn irresponsible to pass on what could be damaging to someone elses fingers, especially curious youngsters.

 

[toot]

how is troughing them in the garbage going to injure some one's fingers? and keep kids out of your garbage. and they will be in a cap tin, not loose. jmho.

 

[1971fx]

Bought these a year ago. opened one tin and tried a few all duds

 

[3 trees]

Give them to me!

 

[Coinneach]

how is troughing them in the garbage going to injure some one's fingers? and keep kids out of your garbage. and they will be in a cap tin, not loose. jmho.

I can't comment on your garbage dumps over there, but here in rural Australia our dumps are considered an exploration experience by Kids, they like to poke around and discover "can I take it homes" while your emptying a trailer load of whatever. You'd be surprised at what turns up in those places from time to time.

 

[user 51067]

Legitimate question (I suppose). Considering the current shortages I might have gifted them or kept them as "backup." Unless left in a "hostile environment," the will last much like black powder. I have some VERY old non-winged musket caps (50 or so years old) that STILL perform to spec. I have winged ones older than that! If their performance was poor, I might consider soaking them in water, picking out the primer compound, drying them and re-priming them. I most likely would not throw them away.

 

[LME]

I have a bunch of caps that are really, really old and I want to get rid of them. What's the best way to do this: dig a deep hole, throw them in and cover them up?; soak them in water for a few days then throw them in the trash; or ?????

Any help appreciated,

joliver

I would like to know how you determined they were to old?

 

[Sparkitoff]

Refill them with compound from one of the kits. They’ll work just fine.

 

[LME]

This has to be the most stupidest post!! Throw them in the F$&king garbage then…

You voiced my sentiments exactly!

 

[Whughett]

Use them to clear the fire channel before you load a charge.

Snap a cap with those, saves on fresh caps when they are not found on store shelves.

Does everyone actually snap 6 caps after cleaning before loading. I have never ever done that. I can count on one hand the failure to fire
due to a clog in many years of shooting these guns. I’m talking revolvers not long guns. Just curious.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I used to snap a cap on each nipple of my revolver before loading, but that was when a tin of caps cost a dollar or less. Now I do a quick wipe of the chamber with an alcohol soaked wipe and call it good.

 

[lou puleff]

I have a bunch of caps that are really, really old and I want to get rid of them. What's the best way to do this: dig a deep hole, throw them in and cover them up?; soak them in water for a few days then throw them in the trash; or ?????

Any help appreciated,

joliver

Put in container pour oil on them and bury

 

[Mogadishu Meanderer]

Does everyone actually snap 6 caps after cleaning before loading. I have never ever done that. I can count on one hand the failure to fire
due to a clog in many years of shooting these guns. I’m talking revolvers not long guns. Just curious.

Never had wasted a single cap on “clearing” firing channels! If you need to, your cleaning routines need to be revisited.