Percussion Caps

[Pauly Walnuts]

Just went to pop a cap for the first time with my new pedersoli scout. The cap kind of just smushed and it didn’t go off. How do I get my caps to ignite?

 

[Phil Coffins]

Re-cock and try again, if it pops then the fit of the cap to the nipple is too tight.

 

[B P Maniac Shooter]

If the nipple is too tight for the caps, you can remove nipple, chuck it in a cordless drill & use a fine file on the side of the nipple to make it thinner. Won't take much time to grind the nipple narrower.
It should work fine upon placing it back on the gun.

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

I tried a different tin of caps and those caps worked. Maybe I have a bad batch?

 

[Boomerang]

Are they #11 caps? What brand?

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

Are they #11 caps? What brand?

#11 cci caps. I ordered them from muzzleloader.com. I’m going to go to my local bass pro to see if I can find any more.

 

[Boomerang]

I would try a few more from the first tin and see if you have the same results.

 

[Sparkytfl]

I tried a different tin of caps and those caps worked. Maybe I have a bad batch?

I've noticed that even with the same brand, some packs just fit a tiny bit tighter and don't easily fit all the way on. But still, even when the nipple is dirty and the caps only go halfway on, I've never had one fail on a gun with a properly strong spring. Related to that, is your spring strong enough? Take the lock off, put a block on a scale, push the hammer down on the block, and (from what I've read) it should take about ten pounds to cock it. I have one that was about six pounds when I bought it, and it would take three hits to pop a cap.

 

[Pauly Walnuts]

I've noticed that even with the same brand, some packs just fit a tiny bit tighter and don't easily fit all the way on. But still, even when the nipple is dirty and the caps only go halfway on, I've never had one fail on a gun with a properly strong spring. Related to that, is your spring strong enough? Take the lock off, put a block on a scale, push the hammer down on the block, and (from what I've read) it should take about ten pounds to cock it. I have one that was about six pounds when I bought it, and it would take three hits to pop a cap.

I’m not entire sure what i did but I took the nipple off and cleaned it, put it back on and it popped caps from both tins no problems now.

 

[david w]

#11 cci caps. I ordered them from muzzleloader.com. I’m going to go to my local bass pro to see if I can find any more.

I've never had a problem with CCI. Maybe it's your nipple. When I shot percussion, I had better results out of White Hot nipples.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I have found that you need a sharp edge to the nipple and a fit that is just tight enough to keep the cap from falling off.

 

[maillemaker]

One thing to note is that caps by different manufacturers are slightly different sizes even if they are the same # cap.

So CCI #10s are a bit tighter fit than Remington #10s.

Then, too, Scheutzen musket caps are made from steel not brass like most others. So they don't hammer down on the nipple as nicely.

 

[deermanok]

I’m not entire sure what i did but I took the nipple off and cleaned it, put it back on and it popped caps from both tins no problems now.

A new gun should be cleaned up good before you try shooting it.
They usually grease them up at the factory before shipping.

 

[TDM]

Just went to pop a cap for the first time with my new pedersoli scout. The cap kind of just smushed and it didn’t go off. How do I get my caps to ignite?

As deermanok said, make sure your new Scout has been thoroughly cleaned of the factory grease. You’ll have a batch of cleaning and firing problems if you don’t.

 

[sportster73hp]

Too much grease or dried oil on the back side of your lock will slow the hammer and can result in poor or no ignition. Has the same effect on flint guns.