How Do I Get Rid of Old Percussion Caps?

[Hawk78]

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

2500 EBENEZER FOREST RD GARLAND NC 28441, I WILL PAY SHIPPING ,

 

[Mogadishu Meanderer]

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

How did you determined they are “really” old? Have you tried to used them? I do have Italian made caps sold under the name of Replica Arms from 1976 and still go off fine. Now, lots of those lots were real No10 caps and will not fit nipples properly these days. It takes some three strikes for them to go off as they fit super tight on the nipple but they still go off. It’s a matter of fit not dud-ness! Caps will last for a lifetime if properly stored, not so much to be said of the new eco-friendly, lead free primers! Just don’t hit them with a hammer please, but they are not nuclear waste either!! As always, Do as you wish!

 

[pwbsmokey]

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.

Most, if not all states require landfills to be covered at the end of the business day

 

[brushblind]

duca,

It's no joke--and they're soaking in a bucket of water right now.....

joliver

That's some sad news for sure. This day started out good but then I read this blasphemy! LOL

 

[MrMackc]

What is this guy's problem? He asks a xxxx xxx question, get's us licking our chops for some free caps, then put's them in a bucket of water. . . DUUHH
I have Remington caps from the 1970s and they still make my CVA go BOOM even with 777.
I am trying to use caps in the order I bought them.

 

[FishDFly]

Ya'll are acting like he is asking how to beat his wife.

 

[Sixgun_Symphony]

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.

Revolvers are in line, directly behind the powder charge.

Percussion rifles have the nipple on a drum, to the side of the powder chamber. That is what needs to be cleared before loading.

 

[08Desert Trapper]

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

Just used caps bought in 1993, they worked great, one container is plastic w CVA LOGO, one Remington one no mark

all bought from a blanket trader at a Rendezvous

 

[cynthialee]

I got a tin of #12 caps from the 1970's and the few I have used (just to test as I like keeping relics from the past) worked fine. Detonation on impact and fired the gun. My only issue is they are #12's and don't properly fit any of my cones. But One can pinch them to keep them in place. Not a great plan for a revolver where tight cap fit is important, but for the rifles that isn't an issue.

At least keep the tin they came in. They are handy little stash boxes and they have a nominal value to collectors.

 

[hawkeye2]

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

The OP asked a simple question in a respectful way and deserves the same in the response.

We don't know if he wants to dispose of 5 or 5,000 caps. We don't know if they are #12, #11. #10, musket or whatever. We have no knowledge as to why he wants to dispose of them; they could be bad or not but they belong to him alone. We all (should ) know he cannot mail them to anyone. There may not be anyone near him to give them to. He may no longer have a caplock. There may be children and he, or the wife, does not want them in the house. All any of us do know from his post is that he wants to dispose of them in a safe, responsible manner and he would appreciate an answer as to how go about that. They are his and his alone to do with as he sees fit regardless of what any of us would do with them.

 

[Bunk]

How old is old?
I've got some 15 to 20 year old caps that I still use. They work fine.

If they are that old they would most likely be corrosive. Soak in water for a day or two then throw into the trash.

 

[deerstalkert]

yawn!

 

[CaptainKirk]

Sounds to me like the OP disposed of them 2 pages ago.
Good night, John Boy.

 

[Mogadishu Meanderer]

If they are that old they would most likely be corrosive. Soak in water for a day or two then throw into the trash.

Pardon, age doe

If they are that old they would most likely be corrosive. Soak in water for a day or two then throw into the trash.

If they are that old they would most likely be corrosive. Soak in water for a day or two then throw into the trash.

you mean like as in black powder corrosive???

 

[Woody Morgan]

Pardon, age doe


you mean like as in black powder corrosive???

Oh lordy. Here we go.

Ya'll are acting like he is asking how to beat his wife.

Worse. Wasting caps is a crime around here apparently.

wm

 

[Mogadishu Meanderer]

The OP asked a simple question in a respectful way and deserves the same in the response.

We don't know if he wants to dispose of 5 or 5,000 caps. We don't know if they are #12, #11. #10, musket or whatever. We have no knowledge as to why he wants to dispose of them; they could be bad or not but they belong to him alone. We all (should ) know he cannot mail them to anyone. There may not be anyone near him to give them to. He may no longer have a caplock. There may be children and he, or the wife, does not want them in the house. All any of us do know from his post is that he wants to dispose of them in a safe, responsible manner and he would appreciate an answer as to how go about that. They are his and his alone to do with as he sees fit regardless of what any of us would do with them.

You are probably 100 % correct about that but assuming you are correct, a call to local fire Marshall would’ve been more appropriate than posting the question on a ML forum amid the longest percussion cap drought we have seen in a long long while, I think!!

 

[FishDFly]

Some need to put the big boy panties on.

 

[sqqy14]

I don't see why you don't shoot them.

 

[FishDFly]

I don't see why folks keep asking the same question, especially after 4 pages.

 

[Bunk]

Pardon, age doe


you mean like as in black powder corrosive???

no like Chlorate primer corrosive
unk