Musket caps . . .

[Gregory Mitchell]

Greetings all. A little bird tells me that my wife is getting me a Pedersoli 3-band Enfield for Christmas this year . . . and I've read much about the inferior performance of CCI musket caps, that they're mainly intended for reenactments, etc. Unfortunately that's the only brand readily available to me without paying HazMat fees, OTHER THAN the Scheutzen brand musket caps, which I can get from Graf's (only about a 35-minute drive from me). Are the Scheutzen's good, hot caps? Any other suggestions? (I've got 3 different bullet molds I'm starting with -- Lee REAL, Lee traditional Minie and improved Minie).

Thanks!

 

[sawyer04]

To tell ya the truth, CCI will work fine, although I like the name Scheutzen better, Just keep any cap away from humidity.

 

[bisleyjohn]

Greetings all. A little bird tells me that my wife is getting me a Pedersoli 3-band Enfield for Christmas this year . . . and I've read much about the inferior performance of CCI musket caps, that they're mainly intended for reenactments, etc. Unfortunately that's the only brand readily available to me without paying HazMat fees, OTHER THAN the Scheutzen brand musket caps, which I can get from Graf's (only about a 35-minute drive from me). Are the Scheutzen's good, hot caps? Any other suggestions? (I've got 3 different bullet molds I'm starting with -- Lee REAL, Lee traditional Minie and improved Minie).

Thanks!

Which side of the pond are you, East or West?

 

[Gregory Mitchell]

Which side of the pond are you, East or West?

Missouri. Thanks

 

[Kno-ie]

I'd recommend you take that 35 minute drive and pickup the Scheutzen caps. I used the CCIs because I couldn't get anything else locally. Had some minor issues with them, i.e. weak ignition. Ordered Scheutzens from Graf and will never look back. I use the in my 2 band Enfield and Volunteer and accuracy and ignition have improved. On a side note to this I live in Indiana and travel to my birth state Arizona taking US54 I stop at Grafs in route, thus avoiding some shipment issues.

 

[Gregory Mitchell]

I'd recommend you take that 35 minute drive and pickup the Scheutzen caps. I used the CCIs because I couldn't get anything else locally. Had some minor issues with them, i.e. weak ignition. Ordered Scheutzens from Graf and will never look back. I use the in my 2 band Enfield and Volunteer and accuracy and ignition have improved. On a side note to this I live in Indiana and travel to my birth state Arizona taking US54 I stop at Grafs in route, thus avoiding some shipment issues.

Thank you sir! Much appreciated. Always enjoy the trip to Graf's anyway -- nice people to deal with.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Greetings all. A little bird tells me that my wife is getting me a Pedersoli 3-band Enfield for Christmas this year . . . and I've read much about the inferior performance of CCI musket caps, that they're mainly intended for reenactments, etc. Unfortunately that's the only brand readily available to me without paying HazMat fees, OTHER THAN the Scheutzen brand musket caps, which I can get from Graf's (only about a 35-minute drive from me). Are the Scheutzen's good, hot caps? Any other suggestions? (I've got 3 different bullet molds I'm starting with -- Lee REAL, Lee traditional Minie and improved Minie).

Thanks!

Go to Graf's and get the Scheutzen caps and some black powder too while you are there.

You have read and heeded the advice about the caps. You also need to heed the advice about measuring the diameter of the barrel of your rifle to ensure that your bullets properly fit to your barrel.

 

[Gregory Mitchell]

Go to Graf's and get the Scheutzen caps and some black powder too while you are there.

You have read and heeded the advice about the caps. You also need to heed the advice about measuring the diameter of the barrel of your rifle to ensure that your bullets properly fit to your barrel.

Thanks, I plan to. I have no way of slugging the bore, so I'll have to make do with my micrometer to get the best measurement I can.

 

[Erwan]

For a Pedersoli take this if you can get it : RWS...

 

[Stantheman86]

The RWS musket caps are the same price as the Scheutzen/Rio caps at PowderInc, but I've had really good luck with the Rio caps, they're very hot.

 

[Gregory Mitchell]

Thanks all. Going to start with the Scheutzen based on what I've heard here today.

 

[hawkeye2]

For the very few $$ more I would go with RWS caps. I have used them for about 35 years and have had extremely few failures. Check the link below for both brands at better prices than Powder Inc. and it's a great place to get your powder too.

https://blackpowderva.com/

Give Jackie a call, great person to do business with, very knowledgeable, and he ships everywhere it's legal. He is the major supplier to the members of the N-SSA.

 

[springfield art]

Greetings all. A little bird tells me that my wife is getting me a Pedersoli 3-band Enfield for Christmas this year . . . and I've read much about the inferior performance of CCI musket caps, that they're mainly intended for reenactments, etc. Unfortunately that's the only brand readily available to me without paying HazMat fees, OTHER THAN the Scheutzen brand musket caps, which I can get from Graf's (only about a 35-minute drive from me). Are the Scheutzen's good, hot caps? Any other suggestions? (I've got 3 different bullet molds I'm starting with -- Lee REAL, Lee traditional Minie and improved Minie).

Thanks!

I'm not in receipt of any knowledge at all regarding the Caps, but I'd have to doubt that a Cap would be mfg. and marketed just to "re-enactors". In my experience with enactors, they are the least likely to actually maintain their muskets or whatever. Many like to put on the uniform and parade around, (I'm not bundling all enactors in this comment!) but lack the discipline to clean equipment. (I was in the Army, and you don't just laugh when some NCO instructs you to scrub something, be it a rifle or a latrine!) Safe Holidays to all.

 

[springfield art]

I'd recommend you take that 35 minute drive and pickup the Scheutzen caps. I used the CCIs because I couldn't get anything else locally. Had some minor issues with them, i.e. weak ignition. Ordered Scheutzens from Graf and will never look back. I use the in my 2 band Enfield and Volunteer and accuracy and ignition have improved. On a side note to this I live in Indiana and travel to my birth state Arizona taking US54 I stop at Grafs in route, thus avoiding some shipment issues.

Take the drive; combine it with a nice lunch somewhere, some local sight-seeing, maybe visit a gun-shop, make it an enjoyable afternoon. Stock up enough!

 

[tc45dave]

I previously bought RWS caps for my Hawken but my source is out of stock in Lexington, KY.
SCHUETZEN MUSKET CAPS 4-WING 1000/bx -
www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/28966

 

[dave951]

Thanks, I plan to. I have no way of slugging the bore, so I'll have to make do with my micrometer to get the best measurement I can.

Caps- Schutzen and RWS are good. The CCI reenactor caps have weak ignition and can lead to erratic results.

Bore- you do NOT want to slug the bore of a muzzleloader. To slug the bore, you will have to remove the base plug, not an easy thing. A set of dial calipers will get you close. A pin gauge will get you pretty much dead on. You don't need an entire set, just sizes .576, .578, .580. They're readily available as singles from Amazon. Try the 576 first. If it doesn't fit, you have a 575 bore. If the 576 goes in but the 578 doesn't, you have a 576-577 bore. If the 578 goes in but the 580 doesn't, you have a 578-579 bore. See how that works? Do not force them, just light finger pressure.

For commercially cast to get an idea of what works in you gun- here's the only source I trust for quality minies-

http://www.lodgewood.com/Bullets_c_7.html

Pat is an NSSA competitor and makes very good bullets that are correct for these guns.

Finally, no subs at all, ever. Best is Swiss followed closely by Old Eynsford (Goex product). Next is Schutzen and Goex (Red Label). Try both 2f and 3f. You'll probably find best accuracy with about 40-45g of 3f.

Lube- beeswax/lard;crisco;tallow;olive oil mixed 60/40ish. Dip lube the rings only, put nothing in the base.

Finally, welcome to the addiction. Experimentation is a bunch o fun.

 

[Gregory Mitchell]

Caps- Schutzen and RWS are good. The CCI reenactor caps have weak ignition and can lead to erratic results.

Bore- you do NOT want to slug the bore of a muzzleloader. To slug the bore, you will have to remove the base plug, not an easy thing. A set of dial calipers will get you close. A pin gauge will get you pretty much dead on. You don't need an entire set, just sizes .576, .578, .580. They're readily available as singles from Amazon. Try the 576 first. If it doesn't fit, you have a 575 bore. If the 576 goes in but the 578 doesn't, you have a 576-577 bore. If the 578 goes in but the 580 doesn't, you have a 578-579 bore. See how that works? Do not force them, just light finger pressure.

For commercially cast to get an idea of what works in you gun- here's the only source I trust for quality minies-

http://www.lodgewood.com/Bullets_c_7.html

Pat is an NSSA competitor and makes very good bullets that are correct for these guns.

Finally, no subs at all, ever. Best is Swiss followed closely by Old Eynsford (Goex product). Next is Schutzen and Goex (Red Label). Try both 2f and 3f. You'll probably find best accuracy with about 40-45g of 3f.

Lube- beeswax/lard;crisco;tallow;olive oil mixed 60/40ish. Dip lube the rings only, put nothing in the base.

Finally, welcome to the addiction. Experimentation is a bunch o fun.

Thanks for all this good info -- most appreciated! The pin gauges are an excellent idea. Will try that as needed. My only difference with your suggestions will be using Hodgdon Triple 7 2F, rather than BP. T7 is all I've ever used in my percussion revolvers and my Hawkens, and it's given me excellent results with all the smoke I need and easy cleaning.

 

[springfield art]

Thanks for all this good info -- most appreciated! The pin gauges are an excellent idea. Will try that as needed. My only difference with your suggestions will be using Hodgdon Triple 7 2F, rather than BP. T7 is all I've ever used in my percussion revolvers and my Hawkens, and it's given me excellent results with all the smoke I need and easy cleaning.

That's a good tip. Many of us never heard of a Pin Gauge! Thanks!

 

[Treestalker]

Everybody keeps saying how weak and unreliable CCI musket caps are, but when I started reenacting in an Infantry unit ( 15th Arkansas Infantry NW), I only had a 2-band Enfield and had to be in the front rank of the firing line. This because the shorter barreled rifle fired over someone's shoulder, would cause dismay with the front ranks soldier's ear. Likewise, the rear rank with 3-banders used no CCI musket caps because they were so loud they would deafen the front ranks. (Ask me how I know!) No problem with powder ignition, they've always worked for me, but I don't recommend them for re-enacting because they are Too hot! I prefer German #11 caps by Dynamit Nobel for my pistols and revolvers which could possibly be used for serious self defense. I have not used their Musket Caps, but if the CCI's I've used for years were anemic or unreliable, I would go to Nobel's in a heartbeat. As for reenactors not keeping their weapons clean, they must be in different outfits than the ones I've seen and served in. A reporter once commented on a camped Mississippi company during the Civil War, saying that the only thing spotless about them was their teeth and their guns.

 

[springfield art]

Great info! Sometimes a person will post a comment as fact, and it takes on a life of it's own as people constantly repeat it. I love the bit about the Miss. company! And great that you were in a disciplined company. Always good to read actual real-life experience from guys that know what they're talking about. Have a safe Holiday!