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Thanks for the tip, makes things a whole lot so simpler. Any downsides from a combustion or setting-the-charge-off-in-the-barrel standpoint?
RE: CCI Four Wing Musket Caps #301 for 1861 Springfield
- Thread starter jonathan butcher
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user 36911
50 Cal.
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I used to go the other way. I changed to musket caps on a gun that used #11 caps. Not needed anymore that I switched to RWS #11 caps.
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Musket caps usually have a bit more power, being bigger, and are easier to put on and remove from the nipple. I have nipples in both sizes for my favorite rifles, so that if I run out of one type, I can use the other. Beyond that, no real difference in how the rifle shoots.
that is a great idea!
none what soever.
jcs266
40 Cal
I like musket caps and have nipples for my Pedersoli .54 Hawken to use MC's if necessary if I run out of #11's (conversely I have regular nipples for the 1863 Springfield so I can use #11's if MC's become scarce).
I do like the jumbo size and the wings on the MC's though - MUCH easier to handle with large fingers.
I do like the jumbo size and the wings on the MC's though - MUCH easier to handle with large fingers.
APG
45 Cal.
You should stay with what the rifle was designed to use. In your case musket caps. You can use the reenactor type caps but you'll for sure get some mis-fires. I've used them and it seems that they are not as robust as the German caps. As far as switching to #11 's perhaps as a "just in case" you can't find musket caps. That's just my two cents.
I also would stay with Musket Caps, easier to load, and you don't have to fumble around trying to pick one up, and put it on the nipple. When spent, they can be flicked off with your finger.
When I hunt with my Richmond Carbine I just carry a few in my pocket, no muss, no fuss.
Dave
When I hunt with my Richmond Carbine I just carry a few in my pocket, no muss, no fuss.
Dave
Being a competitive musket shooter along with Hawkeye, here's the real skinny.
CCI musket caps are garbage. No other way to say it. Since they let a lawyer determine what is best, their caps went from being the best to dead last. Musket caps are much stronger than No 10&11 and they're easier to manipulate. Some folks like to replace the musket nipple with one for a #10 or 11 and that's because they are sticking with what they have or can find locally and I get that and it IS a tradeoff.
Now for full disclosure, Hawkeye and I are both members of the North South Skirmish Association and we compete with Civil War arms including artillery. Some in our organization have experimented with using the smaller caps on a musket out of curiosity. The result was loss of accuracy not to mention it's against our rules. We also have experimented with RWS and Schutzen caps. RWS are currently overall best since the "good CCI" is no longer available. Schutzen work and provide pretty much the same accuracy. The issue with Schutzen is directly related to the shape of the nipple, meaning it doesn't always quite seat and can sometimes misfire. This is easily corrected by looking at how the nipple is profiled and gently polishing it so the Schutzen cap seats fully under finger pressure. Other than that, there's about no difference that I can see but since I have multiple guns, I stick with a standard solution- RWS.
As for quantity, 1k isn't a lot. In an active competition year, I go through about 25lb of 3f and about 8k caps per year in practicing and competition.
Now for another question. Where are you located? If you're anywhere near Winchester VA, you really should come over to Ft. Shenandoah and check out the folks who shoot these guns with live ammo more than probably anybody else. Not only that, there is a great source for powder and caps right at the exit to the range, Back Creek Gun Shop.
To touch on another topic not mentioned, what are you doing for minies? If you don't cast, I'd recommend calling Lodgewood and getting a good sampling from them. Once you find what shoots best, then get the mold and start into casting. Like Hawkeye said, you'll be going through more ammo than you ever thought possible, especially if you hang out with us in the N-SSA
A big +1 to what dave951 has posted. If you think 1,000 caps are a lot I had 60,000 RWS caps in the basement once upon a time, only have 4,000 on hand right now.
Jonathan that's fine looking '61. probably the most accurate repro ever available. I'm jealous.
Jonathan that's fine looking '61. probably the most accurate repro ever available. I'm jealous.
now that is a lot of shooting to down size then by that amount! WOW!!.
As an EX N-SSA member, I also can vouch for what Hawkeye, and Dave 951 said.
If you get the chance buy as many musket caps as you can, you won't be sorry, but as mentioned stay away from CCI musket caps.
I have 2 CS Richmond Muskets, and 2 CS Richmond Carbines, that I shoot. Believe me........ they WILL SHOOT.
Dave
If you get the chance buy as many musket caps as you can, you won't be sorry, but as mentioned stay away from CCI musket caps.
I have 2 CS Richmond Muskets, and 2 CS Richmond Carbines, that I shoot. Believe me........ they WILL SHOOT.
Dave
