Nipple Question (Not THAT kind of nipple!)

[Myra lou]

When I used to shoot Pyrodex in side hammer TC Hawkens, I noticed I would have a rare ignition failure, maybe 1 in 100 that was not due to my own making, and at the time was using CCI#11's You could have eliminated that problem by duplexing.......pour in 15grs of 3F first then adjust the amount of Pyrodex......I'm doing that right now.....the local gun shop gave me a case of 'Black Canyon' powder to dispose of out at the ranch.....I'm shooting it in my Hawkens (3).......First I pour 25grs of 3f Goex down the barrel then 80grs of the 'Black Canyon'......boy does it come to life.....shoots good and sure does smack the gongs......Wish I could find some more "Free" powder.........john........

 

[roundball]

Yes, before I got some Goex FFg, I did something similar with 20grns Goex FFFg and 60grns Pyrodex RS on top in a .62cal smoothbore flintlock...worked great, but I'm not interested in doing it as a normal routine...no need for all the extra motions...just did it to burn up powder that otherwise wouldn't ignite in a flintlock

 

[roundball]

http://www.tcarms.com/mlaccessories/nipples/7075.html

 

[Dave K]

Daryl, that is interesting! I always loved Hot Shot nipples from the first time I used them. Did you by chance see what the FPS variation is over a chronograph?

 

[Rebel]

showed up here. :: Was beginnin' ta wonder if'n ya got yerself lost. :applause: Welcome my friend. Think ya will like the company here. Take care.

 

[NoJacketRequired]

Ya know, that's the thing I love about this place. Ask a simple question and ya get a broad range of respondants chiming in with their experiences. This breadth of experience would take years for any one individual to accumulate, so this board really acts as a "speed tutor".

Thanks to all for your helpful responses!

PS: I knew the concept of a 209 primer on a sidelock would result in some sputtering and guffawing. Sometimes it's kinda fun to slide in a comment like that, just to read the good-humoured responses! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

Thompson/Center has a 209 primer on their Firestorm sidelock model. I believe it also accepts pellet powder too! Been seeing them in stores for over two years.

Click Here/Scroll Down To View T/C Firestorm

 

[NoJacketRequired]

Thanks for that post, Triple Se7en. I went to the T/C website and they only list the firestorm as a flintlock. Funny how manufacturers websites sometimes aren't as up-to-date as their retail dealers!

http://www.tcarms.com/mlrifles/firestorm/index.html


Even at that, I think I'll continue to play with #11's in hopes of getting more reliable lighing of my triple 7 loads...

 

NJR

Actually, the Firestorm 209 sidelock/percussion has been discontinued by T/C due to poor sales. It appears as though TJ's General Store overbought/overpriced their Firestorm percussions... still have a pile of em' in the warehouse. I really don't expect another manufacturer to copy the Firestorm.. that would be financially foolish.

 

[sabotloader]

Even at that, I think I'll continue to play with #11's in hopes of getting more reliable lighing of my triple 7 loads...

NJR - I must admit I have not read all of these posts but I would like to relate to you my TC problems and #11's or Musket caps. I have a newer Thompson Hawken, it is one that is suppose to be able to ignite pellets, which I don't use so I can not tell you much there, but I have always used 2f T7 in my other 3 sidlocks, a Lyman, a Renegade(older one) and a Traditions - ignition has never been a problem with these in hot or cold weather. On the other hand the Thompson is just the opposit - warm weather everything works well - winter weather (cold) not much works, except popping caps until things warm up enough that it finally goes off. The "worm channel" under the nipple is the problem, it is to small for 2f to get out under the nipple and to long for the flash to reach the powder in the cold weather, much of the flash goes to warming up the channel. Solution 3f - it drops right into the channel and out under the nipple - fire on demand, 3f works great. Had no problems after making the switch. Try it if you get a chance and see what you think.

 

[strongarm]

You don't have the clearance for a 209 primer in a sidelock.

Back in the early 90's some company did come up with a afertmarket device which ignites a rifle primer on a sidelock. Place went out of business though and I believe Dixie Gun Works bought their inventory. They still show them in their catalog, but only for T/C and others using standard thread.

Word of caution. You have to unscrew the top of the thig a ma jig in order to insert the primer.

 

Yes - rifle primer contraption - I made one on the drill press, using it as a lathe with files to do the cutting. It seated into the nipple threads just fine, and had the over-cap that held the striker, etc. I used rifle primers or large pistol primers with it when I couldn't get percussin caps in Smithers, B.C.. I also made one up to use small rifle primers but they were too difficult to handle with cold fingers. aT that time, there was no such thing as phony BP and about all we could get was Curtic and Harvey. The rifle primers or pistol primers for that matter, NEVER had a missfire. I'd expec twith CCI250's or FED215's, you wouldn't even have to fire a clearing primer prior to loading. It was slow going, re-capping with primers.