caps

[captkody]

so what is the best number 11 cap ? something that will store well and go bang after a couple of years

[flintboomer]

Any of them should work fine for 10 years or so, but since you are using 777 powder the Dynamit Nobel #1075 are the hottest and they claim to have an extremely long shelf life and not affected by heat and cold. I use them when I use 777 or when I am hunting but I use CCI the rest of the time. CCI is supposed to be the most consistant.

[old salt]

First what nipple are you using, not all nipples are created equal nor are all caps.
CCI will work fine on the Italian 6X.75 mm nipples but not on the Spanish 6x1 mm. The CCI will not seat properly and will require being struck more than once before it will fire and some times will not fire at all. On the other hand the Remington  works great on the 6X1 but has a loose fit ans will some time fall off the 6X.75
The Dynamite Nobel had the same problem as the CCI.
So in my opinion we are comparing apples to oranges.
No as to shelf life. I have a tin of Dynamite Nobel the was given to me about 15
years ago by an old man who said he had bought years before. I can not tell the diference between the and the new ones I bought last year.

[pilgrim]

cccfind out which cap fits the nipple.  my Lyman plains percussion pistols use #11 caps, but my Lyman Kentucky percussion pistol uses #10 caps.  There are different size cap for different size nipples.  I didn't know this til I took pistols to black powder shop.  The #10's require 2 strikes to fire, when used on a nipple requiring a #11 cap.because the #10 has a much tighter fit andwont seat on the nipple requiring a #11 cap, and using the #11 cap on the nipple requiring a #10 cap, causes the cap to fall off.

[captkody]

the rifle is a frankenstien made by mongrel, i think the lock is a tradition and it uses number 11 i am presently using cci 11 magnums and it goes boom everytime the hammer hits the cap. i was just wondering what to buy when i can scrap up some cash for things other then food and bills.

[old salt]

The CCI work, then stay with them. If you are forced to use a substitute, and not
black powder then I wuold stay with the mags. If you can get real black powder then go to the regular cci# 11 they are some cheaper

[punjab]

First what nipple are you using, not all nipples are created equal nor are all caps.
CCI will work fine on the Italian 6X.75 mm nipples but not on the Spanish 6x1 mm. The CCI will not seat properly and will require being struck more than once before it will fire and some times will not fire at all. On the other hand the Remington  works great on the 6X1 but has a loose fit ans will some time fall off the 6X.75
The Dynamite Nobel had the same problem as the CCI.
So in my opinion we are comparing apples to oranges.
No as to shelf life. I have a tin of Dynamite Nobel the was given to me about 15
years ago by an old man who said he had bought years before. I can not tell the diference between the and the new ones I bought last year.

I have been using CCIs on Spanish rifles for over 20 years and have never had any problems.Sometimes the nipples mainly on Italian rifles have to worked over with crocus cloth so the cap will seat properly.Any cap nipple fit problem can be easily fixed with crocus cloth or by pinching the cap slightly.The most common reasons for caps not going off is improper fit,poor hammer nipple alignment or weak mainspring.I agree all nipples and caps are not the same but they are nipples and caps and will work with minor effort.I always throw the factory nipples away and use a good quality bronze nipple.A cheap solution.

[William]

so what is the best number 11 cap ? something that will store well and go bang after a couple of years

I much prefer Remington #10 or #11 black powder caps, as I've never had a dud with them and have when using other brands but have never tried the Dynamit Nobel as they aren't stocked around here.

[Dogshirt]

I really like RWS when I can get them, but have had 95% success with CCI.
Poor fit is the issue, they always fire the second time. This is ok out shooting, but is unacceptable
when hunting!

[flintboomer]

The only caps I have ever had go bad on me were Navy Arms brand after about 15-20 years, and the OLD Dixie caps are inconsistent after 20+ years, but they still usually work.

If the CCI magnums are working for you I would stay with them unless you are able to get real black powder, but in a pinch buy whatever brand you can get. They should work but you will find out if they don't and know to avoid that brand in the future.

Nipples can be replaced easily if you ever need to work one down and overdo it, just remember that there are 2 sizes of shoulders on the nipples, so make sure that your nipple wrench will fit if you buy a new nipple. Your current nipple wrench will not fit the Ampco brand of nipple.

[pilgrim]

captkody, your question was ,what is the shelf life of caps.  Most of the comments here answered the same concern I've had on shelf life of caps.  From your last reply, I figure that you intend to buy caps in bulk to save cash.  It is cheap and saves money in long run.  Around her in Pa, prces range from $4.45 to $7.50  per 100 caps, but in bulk of 1000 caps, savings are up to $1.50 per 100.   Thanks for asking, it helps us all,   Shop around for best price.

[Rocky]

Just my two cents worth, I just bought a bunch of caps that were on sale for $2 each. I got 8 of them, all they had. I am running out of the ones that I bought in 1995. I think I still have bout 150 left. I always store this type of stuff in triple wrapped zip lock baggies. I put two in one bag, seal it, then put all the little bags of two in another zip lock bag, then that goes in another. I put one of those little moisture eater baggies in the bags holding two little tins of primers. Some might call it over kill, but it works for me.

[The Ghost]

I am for the most part a Flint Lock shooter.  However I put lots of lead thru an ROA. The ROA will fire the Remington #11 caps every time.  The CCI brand will fail 2 or 3 times on every cylinder.  I have to use CCI as the Remington Caps are very hard to find in this part of the country.

[mongrel]

The rifle in question here has a 6x1mm nipple. My advice falls into the "experiment till you find what works best" category. As far as shelf life, I've never had a tin of caps last more than a couple of years at most before they were shot up or given away.

[Hawken50]

I like rws when i can gits em.Here lately been usein Winchester magnums...works purty good.