Percussion caps

[JackAubrey]

Is it practical to self manufacture reliable musket caps?I have seen the Foster tap-o-cap for no.11 caps.I am hearing rumors of a caps shortage and I'm hearing of misfires being common with CCI brand.Just wondering what it would take to be able to create my own caps .Best regards,J.A.

 

[shmrck1]

I am hearing rumors of a caps shortage and I'm hearing of misfires being common with CCI brand.

Jack,
As to CCI,misfires,:bull:Hell,you will
hear the same thing about Remington or the German caps.I don't think you will see a shortage of
caps,but an increase in price.
If your homemade caps work,GREAT!I will leave it at that!
snake-eyes :hmm:

 

[Curtis Makamson]

Civil War reenactors periodically face shortages of musket size percussion caps, but they are temporary. These short-lived shortages promote a tad of hording with some individuals. The musket sized percussion caps in certain areas, not being as common as the #11 size, can get bought up rather quickly. This is especially so if three or four hundred people are needing the things.

 

[JackAubrey]

Gentlemen,Thank you for your replies,I appreciate your input.So you all feel these rumors are unfounded and more an issue of the market factors?That seems logical.Thanks again.Best regards,J.A.

 

[huntman58]

Never have I had any brand that did not miss fore now and then. Most of the time it was my nipple not the caps but a few have happened I can not explain. I know it can be a booger to find caps same with powder some places so I become a hoarder. I buy all I can afford when I find them so I help make a shortage for others and sorry for that but I only buy every year or so.

 

[jtmattison]

Misfires? Hogwash!
Shortage? Hogwash!

I've never, I mean never had a Remington or CCI cap misfire. If you think there might be a shortage order 5,000 online right now. That should last a while. I don't think we'll ever have to worry about running out of suppliers for our sport.

:hatsoff:

HD

 

[JackAubrey]

I originally posted this in the craftsman section however it was moved here.I can understand why...I was'nt very clear in asking my question.What I intended was to ask if anyone had heard of a tap o cap tool for musket caps.And what was anyones experience with the Forester tap o cap tool.Sorry for being so imprecise,it was getting on 2 am. Best regards,J.A.

 

[Oldnamvet]

I have know a couple friends who bought those tap-o-cap tools. They made caps that went *bang* about everytime. Unfortunately, although the caps went off, the powder charge normally didn't. They tried different types of caps, multiple caps in the cap - if you understand what I mean, and everything people suggested. Complete fizzle. I sure would not trust those type caps to touch off the main charge.

 

[BrownBear]

I know of one guy that got them to work. But he had to dribble some 4f into the nipple before capping in order to get consistent results. I watched him throw the whole works into a pond one day. I can tell you right where you can get a free one if you want to try it. BYOST- Bring Your Own Scuba Tank. :v

 

[renovato]

Years back I tried the tap-o-cap tool just out of curiosity. I wasn't impressed. Like Oldnamvet said, they'd usually pop, but not strong enough to light the charge. Stacking several caps didn't help much. Moisture rendered them inert in short order, and they tended to be far more corrosive than the black powder itself was. Now if you made your own priming compound, who knows.

 

[n.h.schmidt]

I have gotten them to work. It was easy some years ago when the toy caps were better quality.Now with all the caps from China the quality is very iffy. They still work, with some reservations. I use four to five dots in each cup. The nipples used need to be like the ones that are best for Pyrodex. Knight Red Hot and CVA perfect nipple for example. You need a good Strong hammer hit. I have two CVA drum style rifles that will work with them and one( CVA Mountain Rifle)that will not work with them. The hammer spring is weak on that one .It even has problems with regular caps .They are also Very Corrosive.You have to really clean well after using them. I just went shooting last week with my CVA Kentucky rifle and used them.Shot some good groups too. The cost is under .01 ea for them so for me worth the hassle . n.h.schmidt