Let me know if I’m making a mistake

[Shadowalker164]

I built my first, second and third muzzleloader this year. Love them, love the process, and the smell. I searched for #11 caps for months, no luck. Then I found 1000 musket caps online, and jumped on them. I ordered and installed musket nippels on all my 50 cal Kentucky firearms. I have fired 2 of these weapons 40-50 times each with these musket caps, they seem great, but manufacturer Traditions say not to. Am I making a mistake or am I OK with this ignition solution? I like em

 

[Daveboone]

When I couldnt find # 11s, I also ordered up a thousand musket caps and nipples. They work just fine. I cant imagine any problems whatsoever. I darn tootin make sure I have my hearing protection on though...they have alot more bang! This year our black powder league has quite a bit fewer shooters than last, unfortunately. I think supply is a big issue.

 

[Mulebrain]

I would have no issue with doing that

 

[NorthFork]

??????? ignition source has little to do with overall pressure according to Lyman. Sure 209 has more ultimate pressure than #11 but it should not matter overall ACCORDING TO LYMAN. Ignition source does vary the pressure BUT going from #11 nipples to musket cap nipples and the corresponding caps should not matter in the big scheme of things. I base this on owning multiple years worth of Lyman black powder handbooks.

edit- and before some wiseacre says "in the 1990 Lyman book it show that ultimate went up xxx lead units of pressure from #11 to 209, well I say exactly how much and further more it's probably inside the margin of error for make of rifle.

double edit- AND before some wiseacre says well in 1989 Lyman used copper units of pressure vs lead vs psi well you can just go to..............

 

[deermanok]

Someone gave you the wrong information. Musket caps are OK to use. I've even used them on a Deerhunter rifle I had years ago.
The Traditions booklet makes no mention of any such thing.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Well, of course @Shadowalker164, your mistake is that you didn't make a flint lock rifle for your third build.

Now that I have that our of my system, I can address what you have and for what Shadowalker164 has, he did not make a mistake. Since the recommended #11 caps were not available, he chose the musket caps. These are a better replacement than the 209 primers as the musket nipple is cheaper and easier to use than the 209 adapter. You have way too much primer in the musket cap and shooting glasses are mandatory to protect your eyes while shooting. Fortunately, the musket nipple aligned with the hammer, which can be a problem to adjust the cup in the hammer to fit over the musket nipple. Excess flash can char the stock and a standard flash cup will not be compatible with the musket nipple.

 

[Shadowalker164]

Good news all around, I don’t have any issues with #11’s, just can’t find them

 

[nhmoose]

Try Wally World they are getting them in every now and then and I expect more by deer season time.

 

[hanshi]

Caps are a persistent problem these days. I have an old supply of musket caps and #11 caps as well as a nice supply of both types that are fairly new. Some of the caps are from the late 1960s & maybe the very early 1970s. Last time I bought caps was 1000 CCI #11s about 7+ years ago.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

Probably won't harm the rifle but if you have a problem with the gun it gives them an out of honoring the warranty. It doesn't have to be a problem dealing with using the musket caps you modified it.

 

[Ponderosaman]

Probably won't harm the rifle but if you have a problem with the gun it gives them an out of honoring the warranty. It doesn't have to be a problem dealing with using the musket caps you modified it.

This is true, also, if there is some unforeseen issue that can even slightly be related back to musket caps, they limit their liability saying you shouldn’t use them. And this is actually fair. In manufacturing if something is different in fit, finish or function, testing extensively is warranted. Musket caps are different in all three regards. On the other hand, suggesting that anything different would make your gun better in any way, admits that the manufacturer is giving you something inferior or at least not authentic. Personally, I wouldn’t think twice about it. People swap nipples all the time for a variety of reasons and you don’t hear about issues with that on here. I might not do it on a double gun because the musket caps can fit a little looser, which could lead to a chain fire, but other than that, I’d be fine with it.

 

[Shadowalker164]

I called Traditions looking to upgrade the stock on a Kentucky pistol I bought, but had no luck. The nice lady said “is there anything else?” And I mentioned that I had secured a Bach of musket caps and she went into a 2 3 minute lecture on not using them. I told her that I understood and appreciated what she had said, hung up and went to the range with them. I have some #11s on back order, and will try them out when they show up. Just glad to hear I wasn’t doing my guns any harm.