Thread: Percussion caps !

Originally Posted by Scouterkotare

I've just been reading up on 777 in .50 muzzle loader (just picked the gun up, waiting for rest of accoutrements) and see that they recommend 209 shotgun primer. Maybe helpful.

So you have an inline? not a side lock?

Originally Posted by Driverman

Toy caps. They are star-caps and they are 8 to a ring and 9 rings to a packet and 4 packets for $2.00. I add a small amount of 4f to the nipple or cap (just a few grains) Too much and it will blow the hammer back . a black powder slam fire .

For more powerful toy cap primers, take some needle-nose pliers and gently but firmly squeeze a toy cap at the base, and then pour out the contents. Carefully* add contents of two caps into one cap, add drop of denatured alcohol and let dry, then put in the paper disc.

You may use the same to reload (corrosive) Boxer primers if you're really stuck.

*) Eye protection and only mix two caps worth in one place. They ARE hazardous goods.

Look guys, those toy caps use a potassium chloride mix and it is very corrosive, make sure you really give the gun a good clean as it will quickly set up rust in the bore of any rifle. I always press the cap onto the nipple so it`s hard down on it, and unless it`s a dud cap I get a bang every time, I would hate having to try getting a bit of 4f into the nipple hole while out hunting.

Corrosive primers are no problem with black powder as you use water cold and hot to clean so the salt gets washed out.

Originally Posted by homebrew.357

Look guys, those toy caps use a potassium chloride mix and it is very corrosive, make sure you really give the gun a good clean as it will quickly set up rust in the bore of any rifle. I always press the cap onto the nipple so it`s hard down on it, and unless it`s a dud cap I get a bang every time, I would hate having to try getting a bit of 4f into the nipple hole while out hunting.

I have a tool that is used to prime the nipple. Makes life real easy

Homebrew, any chance of a picture of that gizmo?

I was looking at a doohickey from cabelas that used 209 primers but the chances of getting something through customs is fark all these days. If you could put up a picture of your gizmo l have a fitter who might knock one up for me. Will a flat faced hammer set them off?

209 shotgun primers are a pricey option, ive not yet tried the toy caps but really like the idea. I had one rifle that used the no11 small caps which occasionally misfired unless the nipple was primed with a few grains. I swapped out the nipple for one that took eb musket caps end of problem.
A 209 primer will need a special hammer with a lump on the face to act as a firing pin.

If you are going to continue to use 777 in your cap lock the best thing to use is a 209 shotgun primer. Neil Hayes has the special nipple the holds them. They have a threaded cap that holds them in place with a floating firing pin. Takes me about thirty seconds to change out the normal nipple for the one I got off Neil. Never had a hang fire of missfire since. Another plus is the 209 can't get knocked off the nipple by brush and twigs like the normal caps. Also once the cap is screwed on it is relatively water resistant. These things are a Pedersoli product, about $30.

Cci ones are crap get rws if possible