Percussion Caps

[dclarry]

Re: Percussion Caps

Lawrence,
I have used Navy Arms for the past 5 years and have never had a problem. I used the German caps at the Perryville reenactment 2002 because I forgot my others and was disgusted with them. I only use Navy Arms.
everett taylor

Thanks, Everett. If these caps work out tomorrow, and the Minnies go down range, I'll buy up the few tins left in the store. More than I'll ever need, but I can share them.

Lawrence E. Kingsley
BTTY F 1st PA LT ATTY

[Charles Heath]

Re: Percussion Caps

More than I'll ever need, but I can share them.

There is a sentiment the boys of '61-'65 would have readily understood about a number of things. Well said, and bully for you!

[NC5thCav]

Re: Percussion Caps

I used a total of 3 caps at my living history last weekend. At my current rate, my tin of 100 should last about a year and a half. Good reason to stop the powder burning frenzy, aint it?

[Michael McComas]

Re: Percussion Caps

...I also bought some Navy Arms Minnies there, which the store's "black powder guy" had handwritten "thick walled" on the package. The gentleman who was helping in the store was not sure what the significance of that was, but said the Black Powder Guy had noted to him that he was marking these pacakges. I hope to try these caps and Minnies out this weekend. I am truly an amatuer at black powder, and in my ignorance, I am not sure why I should care about thick-walled bullets. I would like to know, because it clearly was something that was considered notable by somebody.

Any comments on the "thick walled' notation? ...

"Thick walled" refers to the thickness of the skirt. You're less likely to have the skirt of the bullet separate with a thick walled bullet, but at the same time, they do not set up and engage the rifling as well as a thin-walled minie would. They typically are used with heavier hunting loads, and ounce for ounce tend to be shorter than thin skirted bullets because of the added weight of the skirt. This makes them somewhat more stable in slow-twist rifling.

As for the Navy Arms caps and live firing, I find that my point of impact drops 4" over 50 yards vs. RWS caps. This might help you when sighting in with original or repro factory sights.

Cheers,

Michael

[dclarry]

Re: Percussion Caps

"Thick walled" refers to the thickness of the skirt. You're less likely to have the skirt of the bullet separate with a thick walled bullet, but at the same time, they do not set up and engage the rifling as well as a thin-walled minie would. They typically are used with heavier hunting loads, and ounce for ounce tend to be shorter than thin skirted bullets because of the added weight of the skirt. This makes them somewhat more stable in slow-twist rifling.

As for the Navy Arms caps and live firing, I find that my point of impact drops 4" over 50 yards vs. RWS caps. This might help you when sighting in with original or repro factory sights.

Cheers,

Michael

Michael,

Thank you for the information on the thick-walled minies. They did look thicker than others I had seen, but I had not put one actually down the barrel yet, and I had no feel for how they might shoot. What you noted in your post played out this past Saturday.

I fired a number of rounds, and shot consistantly low every time. I am no marksman, by any means, so an experienced shooter at the range fired a few rounds from a rest to confirm the drop. Those Navy Arms minies are quite heavy, and they are not that snug a fit in the barrel. I can see what you mean about not engaging the rifling well. With some Bore Butter in their lube grooves they pretty much start themselves down the barrel. I don't imaging that thick skirt expands all that much and catches the rifling on the way out, either. I tried some big loads, up to 100gr, but all I did was pound up my shoulder, the bullet still dropped quite a bit.

The Navy Arms caps fired every time, with no schrapnel. The drop you mention using the Navy Arms caps versus RWS caps is probably due to some variation in the the powder ignition pattern in the chamber peculiar to the cap design. I will cease pretending I know anything about blackpowder ignition patterns, but I have heard some inline black powder shooters talk about variations with caps and nipples (cap too 'hot', nipple spark spray pattern, etc).

I am going to try some different projectiles and powder charges and try and find a good consistant round. Even with a day of shooting, I used an insignificant number of caps and probably now have a mult-year supply. Like NC5thCAV said in his post, you just don't need all that many caps.

Regards,

Lawrence Kingsley
BTTY F 1st PA LT ATTY

[unionprivate]

Percussion cap info

Gents, did a search and the latest info I found was as of August of 06. Looking to see what the latest word is on percussion caps. Let me be specific when I say Im not lookin for speculation, Im lookin for fact. I, for one, am not willing to increase my chance of getting hurt by using 6 winged CCI caps. If I had to choose between not shooting or using CCI's, well my season is gonna be short. Safety is of the utmost, and Im lookin to see where we all stand as a whole for the hobby. Stay safe and train often.

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: Percussion cap info

I know they are not an approved vender but Blockade Runner has them in stock now. I just received my package of them last night.

[James the Haggard Ranger]

Re: Percussion cap info

The company RWS bought out Dynamit Nobel of Germany, makers of the 4 flange percussion caps, and has been waiting for import permission from U.S. customs. According to RWS they should start regular shipments either late January 2007 or early February 2007 in the United States.

Looks like we will have percussion caps again.

Thanks,

James Wooten, Interpretive Ranger
Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site

[HighPrvt]

Re: Percussion cap info

Since Blockade Runner has then, and all the "what if" posts have dried up on this, and other forums I had assumed that the caps were already coming back in, guess not. Oh well, I have enough holed up for most of this season.

[Pvt_Jack_Bauer]

Re: Percussion cap info

The cap issue I believe is resolved. Cedar Creek in the fall, each sutler was stocked to the brim with the proper caps. Talking at EJ Thomas they explained that there was a slight situation but has been taken care of. Fire at will!

[unionprivate]

Re: Percussion cap info

Good to hear. Approved vendor or not, Blockade Runner will get my buisness for the likes of percussion caps. Really hard to screw that up if you ask me. If they have the product, then they have the product. Thanks for the info, I will pass it along.

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: Percussion cap info

It really is a relief that it was not as doom and gloom as many made it out to be. Although, it still makes me want to stock up on them just in case....

[toptimlrd]

Re: Percussion cap info

Saw plenty of the German and Navy Arms (who I had heard was completely out of business) at an event this past weekend. According to a couple of the folks there, they are able to get the Navy Arms with regularity and the Germans are becoming easier to get.

[Freeborn]

Re: Percussion cap info

I was able to pick up a good supply of the Dynamit Nobel caps just before Christmas. I explained to my local gunshop that the CCI caps just weren't appropriate for Civil War reenactors. Lo and behold, the caps are now in stock. Although this shop has a large supply of black power accoutrements, the owner said he had never heard of the problem with the CCI caps before.

In case you're near the Toledo area, the shop is Clelands.

Freeborn

[Matthew Semple]

Re: Percussion cap info

I talked with Mark Hartman at James River Armory the other day. He stated that Navy Arms has started producing caps again.