Percussion cap shelf life

[Shiloh]

I can't think of a worse gun to bring to a SHTF scenario than a single shot muzzle loading rifle.

The bad guys aren't going to give up their auto-loaders.

Don't give up yours.

Well, there is the philosophy of using whatever you have to get something better. Like the Liberator in WW2.

 

[griffiga]

Nearly indefinite if kept dry. I have some from 1970, still work fine. (I'm a flinchlocker, don't use many preecussions)

Same here.

 

[sportster73hp]

I didn’t start black powder till the turn of the century. My first was a flint . I have only purchased older caps for the tins but would use then anyway.

 

[BillyC]

Just to be clear, my first ML was a hawken reproduction I bought at Cabelas in the 90s for a hunt in Iowa. After that hunt I “upgraded” to an in-line. I doubt I’ll use either of those percussion rifles ever again but want to get some caps just in case.

 

[TDM]

Just to be clear, my first ML was a hawken reproduction I bought at Cabelas in the 90s for a hunt in Iowa. After that hunt I “upgraded” to an in-line. I doubt I’ll use either of those percussion rifles ever again but want to get some caps just in case.

As said in all the previous post, caps that are kept in any decent storage environment will be good for least a couple of lifetimes.

 

[Togo]

Just to be clear, my first ML was a hawken reproduction I bought at Cabelas in the 90s for a hunt in Iowa. After that hunt I “upgraded” to an in-line. I doubt I’ll use either of those percussion rifles ever again but want to get some caps just in case.

I did the opposite, I haven't touched the inline I bought in the early 90 since buying my first percussion, a TC 58 Big Boar.

 

[BBGun]

Currently No Hazmat fee at Powder Valley, RWS 1075 Percussion Caps available.

 

[RMH]

I have some old RWS 1075's that were opened in the early 1980's. They still go bang. (just tried a couple the other day).

 

[William Lincoln]

Recent Cap compositions might be different from older
stuff. Older manufacture might be more stable. I suspect that
the lack of caps is intended. All ammo is under the influence
of the new woke ESG garbage. No way would manufacturers
not fill a need that makes profit. One manufacturer makes CCI
and Remington (Vista who just sold again). When stuff happens
there is a force involved--often unseen, like gravity. The unseen
force here is the force of tyranny that seeks to eliminate Freedom. They seek to control everything.

 

[bpd303]

I have been collecting old cap tins for more than 40 years. I have a tin of original musket caps from the AWS (Civil War) and they still work the last time I tried one on my 1864 Springfield repo.

 

[fishmusic]

Thanks for the replies. I thought I found some online but when I went to check out it was Zelle or PayPal only so I didn’t order them. Might have to go with a matchlock if things keep going south !!!

Yeah, I got ripped off a couple of years ago by a scammer wanting to sell with PayPal only as the payment method.

 

[springfield art]

I can't think of a worse gun to bring to a SHTF scenario than a single shot muzzle loading rifle.

The bad guys aren't going to give up their auto-loaders.

Don't give up yours.

As I posted here a couple days ago, I just took a firearm-related course presented by a retired police officer who was raised by an uncle that had survived a concentration camp during WW2; he said, flat out, don't ever let anyone take your guns away. (Meaning, politicians, etc.) Amen!

 

[springfield art]

I ha

I have been collecting old cap tins for more than 40 years. I have a tin of original musket caps from the AWS (Civil War) and they still work the last time I tried one on my 1864 Springfield repo.

I have ones as old, as well! When I see older caps in a box of "stuff" at a gun show or swap meet, I always buy them; they work well even "aged" a bit!

 

[Urban Coyote]

I've shot 30+ year old caps that worked as new.

Every time I think about paying $20/1,000 for caps when I started out and how I screamed like a gut shot Comanche when I paid $60/1,000 I regret not buying all I could get my hands on at that price. Percussion caps were in short supply when I paid $60/1,000 probably 15 years ago.

 

[CaptainVane]

the lack of caps is intended.
No way would manufacturers not fill a need that makes profit.
the force of tyranny that seeks to control everything.

You are all over the map. Which is it? Capitalism (manufactures) prevail, or govt tyranny overrides capitalism?