Author Topic: Making progress (Read 529 times)

New Hampshire · « **on:** July 05, 2004, 07:47:47 AM »

Well The CVA Mountain Rifle is getting the wrinkles ironed out. I installed the Williams fiber optic sights, but I found that even with the rear site bottomed to the max It was still shooting too high. So I left the fiber optic front on and switched back to the origional rear sight. I have no problem with that since it was just the front sight I have trouble seeing. So I get it out to the range and crank the sight all the way till the adjustment screww is topped out and at 50 yards the gun is pretty well cenetered. Now I just have to fidget with the windage.

But Ive also discovered the source of a recurring problem. A lot of times I would have to hit a cap 2 times to get it to go off. I would force the cap down hard onto the nipple, but sometimes this would still not be enough. The nipple was a brand new CVA stainless one I bought as the origional was a bit beat up. Now I just assumed that the cap was supposed to be tight. The origional I could slip the cap on and off by hand with NO effort. The nwe nipple was a different stroy. Being new to ML I figured that was normal. Well I got fed up and put the old nipple back on and fired 2 shots with NO problem. So can anyone give advice what to do? Maybe a new nipple of different make? Im stumped.
Thanks,
Brian M.

Shorty · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2004, 08:00:13 AM »

As when a nipple becomes peened over on top, I carefully run a very fine file around the cone until the caps fit just right. Usually, just removing the tool marks is all it takes.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2004, 08:06:30 AM »

I always had good luck with the MSM spitfire nipples available from Mountain States Muzzleloading. You might also try a different brand of caps, my favorites were the CCI #11 magnums, they work well for hunting also, but not as good as a musket cap. If this is a hunting gun, that might be a consideration you should look at, replacing the nipple with a musket nipple if they are available and the hammer will fit the larger musket caps. I've been using the flangeless musket caps lately from D&R, much nicer than the hat type. It sounds like you may already be doing this, but to seat a tight cap on a nipple, lower the hammer to the cap gently, then press it into place with the hammer, not your thumb. You can put a lot more pressure on the cap that way, just press gently but firmly though! hth, Tim

New Hampshire · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2004, 10:52:09 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo

It sounds like you may already be doing this, but to seat a tight cap on a nipple, lower the hammer to the cap gently, then press it into place with the hammer, not your thumb. You can put a lot more pressure on the cap that way, just press gently but firmly though! hth, Tim

Actually Im not. Thats a good idea and I think Ill give it a try! All also take some fine steel wool and see if I can polish the nipple a bit. Thanks for the advice guys.
Brian M.

crow_feather · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2004, 01:00:33 PM »

New Hampshire,
Lowering the hammer to press on the cap is a bit dangerous. Why? Because if that hammer slips off your thumb, the rifle is gonna go off. Then the hammer spur will rebound into the tip of your thumb. I have watched it happen. When I lower a hammer, I put my thumb perpendicular to the hammer spur.

Shorty has a pretty good idea with filing on the nipple until the cap slides on nicely. You can always pinch a cap if the nipple is thin and it will stay on.

C F

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2004, 01:23:55 PM »

Quote from: crow-feather

New Hampshire,
Lowering the hammer to press on the cap is a bit dangerous. Why? Because if that hammer slips off your thumb, the rifle is gonna go off. Then the hammer spur will rebound into the tip of your thumb. I have watched it happen. When I lower a hammer, I put my thumb perpendicular to the hammer spur.

Shorty has a pretty good idea with filing on the nipple until the cap slides on nicely. You can always pinch a cap if the nipple is thin and it will stay on.

C F

Lowering the hammer is and of itself a dangerous situation when the rifle is capped whether to seat the cap or go to half cock after missing that chance on the big one, being careful whilst doing it is of course only sensable. I have found that I like caps that fit tight cuz those don't fall off when hunting and I've heard a bunch of come-home-empty-handed stories cuz of it. Just be careful as CF has advised! Tim