nipple life span? if so?

[paradox]

Hey, new to trad ML... is there a life span on the nipple? ive read somewhere of a guy carrying extra nipples on him? or read about the hot stuff nipples for hottter ignition? Also, in field, do you just wipe dry the nipple and put your cap on hoping it doesnt get wet or humid? or is that simply a myth and if you do your part they arent a problem? thanks for the great knowledge guys!

P

 

[Dphar]

Hey, new to trad ML... is there a life span on the nipple? ive read somewhere of a guy carrying extra nipples on him? or read about the hot stuff nipples for hottter ignition? Also, in field, do you just wipe dry the nipple and put your cap on hoping it doesnt get wet or humid? or is that simply a myth and if you do your part they arent a problem? thanks for the great knowledge guys!

P

If you shoot round balls the nipple life will be good if the lock is right. If you shoot bullets and heavy charges the life will be shorter, perhaps much shorter.
Wear, gas cutting, will be evident by the hammer blowing back and then falling back on nipple with a click or by the lock being at 1/2 or worse full cock.

Dan

 

[paradox]

OK, i get the idea, heavier loads and projectiles = more wear on nipple, mechanism. And wear is noticeable if you know where to look..

can we say there is a average round life span using either RB or conicles in a tc .50 or do one change it every season and not have to worry? thanks again

 

[Rogue River]

Depends on how much you shoot! I always have extra nipples w/me kinda like having a spare tire! :grin:

 

[necchi]

It has to do with cleaning too, cap charges are a bit more corrosive than the charge powder.
A brass brush or old tooth brush an soapy water for ALL of the outside and pipe cleaners for the inside will extend the usefullness of a nipple. It should look new when your finished cleaning it, no gunk.

or do one change it every season and not have to worry? thanks again

What you said there is a good answer too. :thumbsup:

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

OK, i get the idea, heavier loads and projectiles = more wear on nipple, mechanism. And wear is noticeable if you know where to look..

can we say there is a average round life span using either RB or conicles in a tc .50 or do one change it every season and not have to worry? thanks again

I always inspect my nipple's orifice after every shooting session, and replace if erosion or gas cutting is noted. All one has to do is to have a new nipple of the same type that is on the rifle, for a side-by-side comparison during the cleaning ritual. Nipple "hardness" varies from one manufacturer to another, and from the type of material the nipple is made out of, I.E., bronze, stainless, blued steel. This variable along with differences in charge weights and projectiles (round ball vs. 370 grain Maxi's--I shoot 'em both) will yield different results/answers with each nipple mentioned. So you have to watch for the first sign of wear and replace the nipples PRIOR to the point that YOU notice the difference on the targets!

If you're a really good shot, and take close to 1,000 shots a year like I do, you'll notice the erosion right away, as your groups open-up. If, on the other hand, you just plink every-so-often, and shoot the rifle primarily to hunt with (some don't take a shot all season, and discharge their rifle at the end of the hunting season), then you'll probably get a year or two out of the nipple at the very least.

Hope I answered your question O-K

Dave
NRA Distinguished Expert ML Rifle

 

[paradox]

Yup! awesome! and fair enough. im probably looking at 100 shots a year top. ill keep it clean without guk like one suggested, keep my loads within normal/avrg limits(and to the gun's own preference) and go from there.

Being i havent shot one yet, i wont be able to tell much if the nipple affects the groups, but im sure thats all part of the learning curb!

 

[bwhoffman]

My groups started going to h e double tooth picks after about 550-600 shots in my .40.
I shoot realitively light loads(30gr).
I put a new nip on it and low and behold, my groups came back!

even with moderate loads, over time, things change or wear!

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Wow, I have never replaced the nipple on my target gun After thousands of shots. Same for the nipples on my ROA. never replaced.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I put about 2000 rounds through my target rifle (45 caliber 40 grain loads ) without changing the nipple. Then the second only lasted about two hundred. Some nipples are harder and last longer. Some like the stock CVA's will not last much over two hundred rounds.I have been using the ampco nipples for the last five years with very consistant results.My logic is the better quality nipples are far cheaper in the long run because they last longer. Many of the old time target rifles used platnium lined nipples.

 

[tuscan]

on my armisport ketuckian i replaced it after 200
shots. it was too soft. new one looks much harder..

 

[rafterob]

As you can tell by the posts, your mileage may vary. Best advice is to carry a spare and a nipple wrench. If it is a Traditions, change the nipple right away, they are brittle P.O.S. doomed to cracking.Typically things only break when you are least prepared to fix them.

 

[paradox]

Hey Ghetto and the gang! thanks, i get it, will vary from gun, load, shooter, nipple material. etc. I appreciate everyones answers. thanks again!
going to look at the Renegade today!!!

 

[longcruise]

As you can tell by the posts, your mileage may vary.

That's for sure!

One has to wonder what differences a shooter might see if a nipple is changed after several thousand shots on the same nipple?

I would say that for a shooter like our OP who plans to shoot about 100 rounds per year, that he may as well go ahead and change the nipple each year. At $3.50 to $8.00 each it won't break the bank and will maintain consistencey of the nipples role.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Think of the nipple like the oil in your car.

Change it even if you don't think it needs it.

They're not expensive.

 

[nkbj]

Some muskets have the hammer fall and nipple lengths correctly set to avoid bradding the nipple. The thickness of the musket cap metal and fulminate make up the gap. This also accelerates cutting out the hole in the nipple by the escaping gas stream loaded with abrasive particulates (but that appears to have been of lesser concern than keeping them going bang).

 

[59sharps]

with only 100 rounds a year he should be good for 5-10 yrs or so. But for the price of a nipple change it once a yr if you are concerned about it. I change mine when I see my group's opening up, or the begining of the skirmish season. which ever comes first. :thumbsup: