nipple replacement frequency

[jacko]

Hello all,
What I'm hoping for here is a consensus as to how many shots you can fire with your particular nipple before you notice accuracy deteriorating. It would, of course, depend on the construction material of the nipple, powder charge and bullet weight. Perhaps even the style of rifle will make a difference. Any info that you can include will be enlightening

 

[Zonie]

The percussion nipples on my rifles have lasted for hundreds of shots without wearing out.

The only exception is the nipple on my Schuetzen and it shows signs of wear after 20-30 shots.

That gun is a .40 caliber, fast twist (1:18) gun that shoots 350 + grain bullets.
That much weight in that small of a bore generates a lot of pressure even with a moderate 70 grain 2Fg powder charge.

 

[necchi]

GM 32" .54 cal slow twist
70-85grn of 2F T7
Knight Red Hot Nipple
RWS caps
Good for 4-500 shot's, then I start to get the hammer coming back to half cock and the groups open.
The nipple is cleaned judiciously after each session, soapy water, brass brush and pipe cleaners.
Nipple replacement to me is a minor cost for accuracy, I'll go through 2-3 each shooting season and prefer to use a new one for hunting season.
Tried Ampco broze from TOW but couldn't get reliable ignition. I'm sure it's the T7 and the small hole on the Ampco, For what it's worth the hole on the Red Hot is at .032 and my .032 pick will not fit in the Ampco. Perhaps I'll open the Ampco to .032 and try again, but like I said changing nipples isn't a big deal to me,

 

[Rifleman1776]

When I first started this game I was told by an old timer target shooter to put in a new nipple before every important match. I now belive that was not necessary advice. However, he came from a previous era when things like 'Ampco' and 'Hot Shot' were not available. Older style iron or soft steel nipples probably did burn out quite quickly.
My answer is, don't worry about it unless your hammer starts flying back or accuracy drops off dramatically. Or, to be on the cautious side, replace annually.

 

[ebiggs1]

I shoot a lot, at least that is what I am told by Miss Elizabeth. But I don't shoot any one gun a lot!
At any rate when I started this muzzle loading game, I bought dozens of nipples and touch hole liners. I have used very few over the years. Very few!
One exception is Pedersoli which has to have theirs replaced from the box. Lyman GPR nipples are not the greatest either. So I replace them from the get go too.
Otherwise they last a long time, hundreds of shots.

 

[nkbj]

I've shot out a couple of nipples in my .40 16" twist. Only a couple because of that pesky earning a living thing. Shot out nipples on a .58 Zouave too. The amount of time that it takes for the projectile to get out of the barrel may seem miniscule, but it makes a huge difference from the standpoint of the amount of time the bore of the nipple is exposed to erosion from that high velocity jet of abrasive particulates.

 

[ohio ramrod]

As stated, it just depends. Stock CVA/Traditions with heavy charges often need replaced after one hundred shots or even less. Ampco nipples shooting prb and low powder charges are good for at least 1000 shots. Generally good quality nipples with prb are good for 500 shots. :idunno:

 

[BrownBear]

I don't bother changing until I notice wear in the nipple while cleaning, or on the rare occasion I've seen accuracy go south. I'm generally not shooting real hot loads, so on average I'd say once every thousand shots or so. And the change is really sudden when it happens.

I do recall one time groups spread suddenly when a nipple was only 100 shots or so old. Just suddenly couldn't hit the broadside of our horse house. Pulled the nipple and looked close, and it was split lengthwise about half the length from the middle up. Never saw anything like it before or since, but there was no doubt when it happened.

 

[Matt85]

havent had a nipple fail yet but the gun i shoot the most has a hotshot nipple in it. i do have a spare in the event it goes though. ive fired maby 200-300 shots outa that rifle so far.

not sure if its considered a hot load but the load i use is my hunting load:

90 grains 3F schuetzen
wonder wad or dry wad
.015 prelubed patch
.490 ball

-Matt

 

[Rat Trapper]

Hot loads with conical bullets are harder on nipples than round balls.

 

[Dphar]

Hello all,
What I'm hoping for here is a consensus as to how many shots you can fire with your particular nipple before you notice accuracy deteriorating. It would, of course, depend on the construction material of the nipple, powder charge and bullet weight. Perhaps even the style of rifle will make a difference. Any info that you can include will be enlightening

The loads used, the quality of the lock and the material the nipple is made from will all change this.

Dan

 

[Billnpatti]

I'm with Dan on this. Like he said, it is all about the material of construction of the nipple, the charge of black powder and the weight of the projectile. Today's nipples seem to last a long time. Just keep an eye on the hole in your nipple when you clean it and when you see it enlarge noticibly, or the hammer kicks back to half notch, replace it. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Greenmtnboy]

you can check the size of the hole to see if the nipple is blown.
without a doubt I have seen accuracy drop off as the hole gets larger.