Percussion ignition in the T/C Encore?

[Couger]

Is anyone aware of a breech plug for the Encore that uses a musket cap?

Some states don't allow the use of 209 ignition.  Washington and Idaho are two such states.

Also, how hard would it be to modify a standard Encore breech plug to hold a musket or percussion nipple?

[Redhawk1]

Check to see if the 25 ACP conversion is legal. It is not a 209 primer. But I have not heard of any breech plug to hold a musket or percussion nipple or way to fire musket or percussion caps.

[rickyp]

I have been thinking about this, I have a large supply of #11 caps (was over 2000) and now only have one rifle that I can use them on.

I can see no way you could get it to work well. the trouble is capping and uncapping the nipple not with firing them. If you even think of a way to cap and uncap it the cap would have to ride up and down the breach face when you close and open the action this could cause a discharge by the action pushing the cap deeper on the nipple

[Keith Lewis]

This has been discussed before a couple of times and the answer is usually not easy to do and not much of a fix as a lot of the states that do not allow a 209 also eliminate a closed breech so even if you could convert it which is not mechanically sound it would still be illegal. I suggest getting a T/C Hawken or similar rifle which I just saw one used for $199 in perfect shape and Thompson stands behind their rifles even if you buy a used one. I would feel just as confident with my Hawken as I am with my Omega (sometimes I like it better). It would probably cost at least that much just to make the conversion if it were possible. The firing pin is a major problem as well as getting a nipple that would fit between the breechface without compressing and setting off the musket cap.

[bdan68]

couger,

You should consider getting a T/C Black Diamond. They are legal in Washington. As Keith said, the Encore wouldn't be legal even if it had the capability of using musket caps because of the closed breech. I just recently bought a Black Diamond and will be using it to hunt elk here in Washington this fall. I've put about 80 bullets through it so far and I'm happy with it, and don't think I will have any problem killing an elk with it this year.

[Couger]

Thanks for the posts guys.

I understand the concern about the cap possibly brushing against the breech face as it closed, but I haven't measured anything or done anything more than "hypothesized" a solution for the Encore to use musket caps.

As for using the Encore in Washington, I wouldn't use it here.  However in Idaho I believe a modified Encore would be legal as long as the breech could close without igniting the charge.  That is the state I would use the 50X209 rifle.

At present I have a Knight Wolverine 50 cal I picked up from Kesselring's.  It works great with musket caps.

[Keith Lewis]

I have a book that lists state by state rules and unless something has changed from when the book was published Fall of 2004 Idaho lists inline as not legal, closed breech as not legal. I think you need to check this out before even considering any inline.

[Couger]

Thanks Keith, I will check it out.