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Forums10
Topics38,374
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Most Online1,131 Jan 21st, 2024
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,567 Likes: 79
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,567 Likes: 79 |
Bought some #11 percussion caps today was going to shoot it. Caps are too small. Outside diameter of the nipple is .180 a #11 inside diameter is .162 measured with calipers. Anyone know of a cap that will work?
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,763 Likes: 8 |
Mike, What about the other way around - changing nipples instead of caps? This is supposed to be a "standard procedure" for firing old caplocks anyway, according to my past readings. And keep the old nipples for originality (is there a capbox?). Cheers, Jani
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,980 Likes: 396
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,980 Likes: 396 |
musket caps maybe? If you change the nipple I would bet it is 1/4" 28 tpi. I have used the Tresso nipples with very good luck.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,522 Likes: 167
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,522 Likes: 167 |
Last edited by skeettx; 07/16/19 06:43 AM.
USAF RET 1971-95
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1127
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,127 Likes: 1127 |
I have "turned down" nipples that were too large, or too tight a fit for my #11 caps. Different brands vary a wee bit but not enough to fix your issue. I just removed the nipple, wrapped the threads with several layers of Teflon thread tape for some protection, lightly tightened it in the chuck of my drill press, and with it turning at the slowest speed available hold a file to the cap area of the nipple and take a little off at the time, to the point that a cap slips on and stays on place while it is upside down in the drill press. Some of the ultra hard alloys may require the use of a stone in place of the file, but I never had to mess with any of them.
SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,567 Likes: 79
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,567 Likes: 79 |
I took them to a buddy with a lathe and he turned them down to fit #11's. They didn't look flattened but maybe they were.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 388 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 388 Likes: 4 |
Get new nipples. Track of the Wolf has a very large selection of them, including antique style blued nipples that will not look out of place on an old gun. They will also perform better. The flash holes on antique nipples are horrendously oversized/worn out in most cases.
“I left long before daylight, alone but not lonely.”~Gordon Macquarrie
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 267 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 267 Likes: 4 |
Percussion caps are remarkably non-standard. Some one published a list of caps on Muzzle Loader Forum a few years ago, 10's and 11's with micrometer readings. I've put some nipples in a drill and turned them down on a sharpening stone, which is pretty much what you have done.
It wouldn't hurt to pick up a spare pair of nipples. You will need to know the size and pitch of the threads in your breech. You can take a nipple to your hardware store, which may possess a thread measure. If not you can try the nipple in various nuts in the parts section, until you find one that works well. As noted abve, Track of the Wolf has an impressive selection of nipples, including various oversizes, should the threads in the brecch be worn.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
I put a pair of "Ampco" nipples on an I Hollis 12 gauge MLer shotgun some 50 years ago. I haven't used it much of late but shot it quite a bit for several years after acquiring it. They are still in it & still serviceable. As I recall they are made of Beryllium. It is a quite hard metal & very resistant to burning out. I do not know if they are still available or not. They do not look authentic but give better service & it's no big deal to have a set of steel ones when you want it to "Look Proper", it's not like it's a permanent modification.
I also use one of these on my 45 caliber caplock Long Rifle. I have some of the Italian made repros of the Colt Cap & Ball revolvers which I also need new nipples for. My problem with these is the #11 is too large & doesn't seat snugly. I have shot them some by squeezing the sides till they will stay on, but I don't like that loose fit. Problem is I have a Texas Patterson, Walker, Baby Dragoon, 1860 Army & an 1861 Navy so am looking at at least 28 new nipples. Good quality ones aren't all that cheap, at least for a Po Boy like me.
Miller/TN I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,567 Likes: 79
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,567 Likes: 79 |
sounds as if you might have a nipple fetish 2-piper. lol
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