Hawken Nipple Problem

[spitpatch]

Hello gentlemen,
  Got a question about a nipple on a CVA Hawken. About every fourth shot in this rifle the nipple stops up. Could a person use orifice drill bits to open the hole a size or two larger or would this cause an unsafe condition. I have never encountered this before and am curious as to the cause. Any and all thoughts appreciated

[clodbuster]

spitpatch  You didn't say what primers you are using.  RWS primers give a lot more trash in my nipple than CCI or Remmington.  Just a thought.
Try hotshot  or spitfire nipples.

[spitpatch]

Clodbuster,
 I use CCI #11 Caps on my rifles and REM. #10's on my ROA

[Good time Charlie]

I have been using CCI Mags # 11 in my GPR.54. And have a lot of stoppages, misfires and hang-fires.
                                                 Charlie

[spitpatch]

Good time charlie,
  Did you find a solution? I went ahead and took my orifice drill bits and bored the hole out one size bigger. Would like to know if anyone has done something similar......and......what potential damage this may cause. I myself can't see any problem with this, and I'm pretty sure someone has tried this before. I think this is what a "hotshot" nipple is, but I'm not going to shoot it until I hear from people who've "been there, done that"

[Good time Charlie]

I have ordereed some Treso nipples from thunder ridge. I have read in the past on this sight that they have sloved this problem for others. I have not received them as yet so I don't know if it is the answer or not.

                                                        Charlie

[rollingb]

Spitpatch,.... The larger nipple "hole" will allow more gases to escape back thru the nipple upon fire'n,.... yore rifle may function okay with light-medium powder-charges, but,.... heavier-charges may "blow" the hammer back to the "cocked-position" (not good)!!!!

For jest a few $'s, it would be wiser to buy the hot-shot nipple!!

[spitpatch]

Rollingb,
 Isn't a hotshot nipple bored to a bigger dia. hole? This nipple in this gun I couldn't get a pick through. I bored a hole .001" bigger, pick goes through good but you have me worried now. Think I'll compare it to my Thompson nipple.....It's never failed. Will let you know shortly what I find out. Thanks for the input, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Why I didn't take measurements BEFORE I bored it I'll never know. Getting old I guess

[River runner]

Spitpatch, the Hotshot nipples do not have a larger vent, they are funnel shaped to provide more of the fire onto the powder and prevent blow back. I use this type of nipple on my Hawkins .54, and for the most part can shoot all day, or as long as my shoulder holds out, without a miss-fire. As rolling block suggested, you could get sufficient blowback as to reset your hammer, definitely not good! I believe Cabella's carries these for around $5.00 - $6.00, beats wearing your hammer in your forehead. RR

[spitpatch]

River runner, Rollingb......
   That bored nipple is history! I thank you both for your wisdom and  sound judgement. That nipple is now resting an arms throw in the woods with all the other hand tools, etc. that peeved me off or didn't meet minimum standards for saftey or quality. $6.00 beats a hammer in the eye any day.
   I will buy and install the hotshot. You guys may have very well saved me from making one of those mistakes we all read and hear about, and for this  I am thankful to you both. :toast:

[rollingb]

Spitpatch,.... Track of The Wolf, lists the hot-shot nipple,... stock no. as:....

#Hot-Shot-CVA
Metric 6-1 mm for Spanish, CVA, & Traditions.

(I'm glad you "pitched" the drilled-out nipple!!)

[Super Rat]

Actually the sky won't fall if the nipple hole is a little too big. If the hammer comes back, then the hole is way too big, (or your load too hot) and you go back down to a smaller size. The hammer won't come flying off the gun or anything. It's not a big deal. Have you ever looked at the hole in a musket nipple? It's very BIG.

Another solution is to vent the drum, or bolster with a very small hole. The gasses and crud will then vent out there and not out the nipple, and keep the flash channel clean. Obviously you want that hole to point forward, or up and forward.