Author Topic: Where are all the Musket Caps? (Read 2401 times)

4given · « **on:** May 25, 2012, 08:31:54 AM »

I live in the Boise, ID area and I have checked nearly every store in the Boise Metro area including Cabelas and Sportsmans warehouse and EVERYBODY is out of musket caps!! What is going on? Is there a shortage or something?

topper88 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2012, 10:07:39 AM »

Powder Valley is out. Mid-South has them:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000200301

Team up with some other shooters and stock up to justify hazmat.

Good luck and good shooting.

r29l20 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2012, 04:11:23 PM »

I live in MI. I can give you a number of a store that has all you need. They will ship them to you.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2012, 04:14:49 PM »

Maybe, but primers are hazmat, so shipping doesn't make the best purchase option unless the cost can be split with others, and that's if the store has a hazmat license. $:-\$

Tim

r29l20 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2012, 12:03:12 AM »

Just trying to help. It's one option.

4given · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2012, 08:19:07 AM »

Thanks for the replies but I don't have enough friends that are into black powder to do a bulk buy. I was just wondering why EVERYBODY is out of musket caps at the same time! Seems odd.....

Horsefeathers · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2012, 07:02:24 AM »

I wondered the same thing.I noticed that most places dont seem to stock them an more.Now that inline rifles are popular only traditional musket shooters use them.About 8 years ago I bought Ten tins of CCI 100's (1000) at Walmarts for $.50 cents each.I left 10 tins on the shelf for some body else to buy. Now I see they cost as much as $5.00 each. I offerred them for sale at my local gun club with no takers.....Horsefeathers.

4given · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2012, 07:45:44 AM »

Quote from: Horsefeathers on June 09, 2012, 07:02:24 AM

I wondered the same thing.I noticed that most places dont seem to stock them an more.Now that inline rifles are popular only traditional musket shooters use them.About 8 years ago I bought Ten tins of CCI 100's (1000) at Walmarts for $.50 cents each.I left 10 tins on the shelf for some body else to buy. Now I see they cost as much as $5.00 each. I offerred them for sale at my local gun club with no takers.....Horsefeathers.

Bummer....... out here in Idaho you can't use 209 primers only #11's and musket caps and they have to be exposed to the elements. I guess I'll see if they will order them in at Cabelas.

keith44 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2012, 09:59:17 AM »

the so called "magnum" #11 caps are an approximation of Musket caps in a smaller package, if you have or can get a nipple for #11's that fit your rifle

4given · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2012, 02:58:21 AM »

Quote from: keith44 on June 09, 2012, 09:59:17 AM

the so called "magnum" #11 caps are an approximation of Musket caps in a smaller package, if you have or can get a nipple for #11's that fit your rifle

I have a #11 nipple so I can try the magnums. I just bought the musket cap nipple thinking it would be better, Looks like I put the cart before the horse.
I have been doing some research and have been finding that some of the musket caps are now reduced power for use for Civil War reinactors. Those magnums are looking better all the time.................

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2012, 04:42:40 AM »

I've made comparisons between RWS flangeless musket caps and #11 CCI magnums, there's no comparison in the amount of fire, the musket caps produce a lot more fire.

Tim

blackpowderbill · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2012, 07:04:30 AM »

Degeoffes in Ashland Va. has the in stock

4given · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2012, 08:21:01 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on June 10, 2012, 04:42:40 AM

I've made comparisons between RWS flangeless musket caps and #11 CCI magnums, there's no comparison in the amount of fire, the musket caps produce a lot more fire.

Tim

Well I am looking for sure ignition for Elk hunting. I'll keep looking. Maybe I can make a bulk buy and see if any of the guys at the gun club I just joined need any........

keith44 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2012, 10:12:06 AM »

for surer ignition start with real black powder, it always has been easy to light, and if you want to use other powders, use up to 10 grains of 3F Goex as a "booster charge" followed by a normal charge of your choice of powder (maybe reduce the main charge by 5 grains or so to keep pressures about the same)

keith44 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2012, 10:14:30 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on June 10, 2012, 04:42:40 AM

I've made comparisons between RWS flangeless musket caps and #11 CCI magnums, there's no comparison in the amount of fire, the musket caps produce a lot more fire.

Tim

last time I tested them the CCI magnum #11's threw more fire, though in a narrower area. That was 15 or more years ago though. Time to re-test huh??

quickdtoo · « **Reply #15 on:** June 10, 2012, 10:56:46 AM »

#11 mags burn as hot as musket caps, but the musket caps produce about twice the amount of gas which equals more fire for a longer time, here's a comparison I dug up somewhere.

#11 standard cap = 6.53cc gas at 3024º F when fired.
#11 magnum cap = 7.59cc gas at 3717º F when fired.
#2 musket cap = 14.36cc gas at 3717º F when fired.

Tim

keith44 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 10, 2012, 02:28:24 PM »

Maybe that's what I was remembering...

Thanks for posting this, Tim

4given · « **Reply #17 on:** June 10, 2012, 03:21:59 PM »

Quote from: keith44 on June 10, 2012, 10:12:06 AM

for surer ignition start with real black powder, it always has been easy to light, and if you want to use other powders, use up to 10 grains of 3F Goex as a "booster charge" followed by a normal charge of your choice of powder (maybe reduce the main charge by 5 grains or so to keep pressures about the same)

I plan on usin g real black powder 'cause that is what I have on hand. I have seen on line a little tool called a "nipple primer" that dispenses a few grains of fine black powder into the nipple. Does this work well?

keith44 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 10, 2012, 03:33:56 PM »

Quote from: 4given on June 10, 2012, 03:21:59 PM

Quote from: keith44 on June 10, 2012, 10:12:06 AM
for surer ignition start with real black powder, it always has been easy to light, and if you want to use other powders, use up to 10 grains of 3F Goex as a "booster charge" followed by a normal charge of your choice of powder (maybe reduce the main charge by 5 grains or so to keep pressures about the same)
I plan on usin g real black powder 'cause that is what I have on hand. I have seen on line a little tool called a "nipple primer" that dispenses a few grains of fine black powder into the nipple. Does this work well?

Yep if you want to create high pressure in the nipple and send the hammer back to the half-cock notch. A well made gun functions 100% of the time when properly loaded as described in the owners manual.

If for some reason you manage to load the gun with powder with oil sitting in the flash channel, it is better to remove the nipple, add a small amount of powder, re-install the nipple, cap and fire in a safe direction

4given · « **Reply #19 on:** June 11, 2012, 02:33:37 AM »

Quote from: keith44 on June 10, 2012, 03:33:56 PM

Quote from: 4given on June 10, 2012, 03:21:59 PM
Quote from: keith44 on June 10, 2012, 10:12:06 AM
for surer ignition start with real black powder, it always has been easy to light, and if you want to use other powders, use up to 10 grains of 3F Goex as a "booster charge" followed by a normal charge of your choice of powder (maybe reduce the main charge by 5 grains or so to keep pressures about the same)
I plan on usin g real black powder 'cause that is what I have on hand. I have seen on line a little tool called a "nipple primer" that dispenses a few grains of fine black powder into the nipple. Does this work well?

Yep if you want to create high pressure in the nipple and send the hammer back to the half-cock notch. A well made gun functions 100% of the time when properly loaded as described in the owners manual.

If for some reason you manage to load the gun with powder with oil sitting in the flash channel, it is better to remove the nipple, add a small amount of powder, re-install the nipple, cap and fire in a safe direction

Well that does not sound good! I'll avoid that!

Nobade · « **Reply #20 on:** June 12, 2012, 03:16:56 PM »

Looks like Crater Fireworks has them in stock.

Good place to buy powder too!

spooked · « **Reply #21 on:** June 15, 2012, 10:43:39 AM »

Way it goes

...Friend at flea mkt gave me a full tin of musket caps..none of my cap guns have musket nipples

...all #11 and one 209...Maybe I can swap 'em at a fall show for sumpin I can use..

4given · « **Reply #22 on:** June 17, 2012, 11:03:34 AM »

Quote from: spooked on June 15, 2012, 10:43:39 AM

Way it goes ...Friend at flea mkt gave me a full tin of musket caps..none of my cap guns have musket nipples ...all #11 and one 209...Maybe I can swap 'em at a fall show for sumpin I can use..

Too bad you don't live in the Boise Area! I would take them off your hands!

spooked · « **Reply #23 on:** June 17, 2012, 05:10:59 PM »

Yep! The way I am though I'm jist liable to buy a musket nipple one of these days just to try 'em out!

4given · « **Reply #24 on:** June 18, 2012, 02:07:10 AM »

Quote from: spooked on June 17, 2012, 05:10:59 PM

Yep! The way I am though I'm jist liable to buy a musket nipple one of these days just to try 'em out!

You might as well. A musket nipple is pretty cheap!

BCarp · « **Reply #25 on:** June 19, 2012, 09:04:18 AM »

If you know any Civil War reenactors, you can always acquire musket caps! Give a guy some $$$ to pick you up some when he heads to an event. Numerous sutlers there sell 'em by the thousands....

4given · « **Reply #26 on:** June 19, 2012, 12:27:52 PM »

Quote from: BCarp on June 19, 2012, 09:04:18 AM

If you know any Civil War reenactors, you can always acquire musket caps! Give a guy some $$$ to pick you up some when he heads to an event. Numerous sutlers there sell 'em by the thousands....

Good Advise!