[shotgunmessenger96]

I recently purchased a traditions hawken .50 and the nipple is worn out and I need a replacement. The problem is I can't find them ,all anybody has is No.11s. The nipple that came with the rifle was for #10 percussion caps, so here's the question, If the threads match up, can I replace a number 10 nipple with a number 11 nipple and not be afraid of damaging the rifle?

I'm very new to black powder and muzzloading so this might be a stupid question.

[scrat]

HECK YA. a number 11 cap is a tad bigger. It is actually more effecient for the gun. Making it ignite a little better. for sure go with the number 11. when you find the correct nipple grab a few of them for spares.

[mykeal]

Two things matter with regard to nipples: thread size and cone height. The cone diameter, which is what determines cap size, is of little importance because you can either buy different size caps or simply modify the cone.

If you don't know the nipple thread size, take it to a local hardware and ask them to help you measure it. They will either have a thread gage or you can compare it to bolts in their inventory. The most likely sizes are 1/4x28, 12x28, M6x1.0 and M6x0.75 (the last two are metric sizes).

You will have little choice in buying a specific cone height as they are not specified. Look for a rifle nipple instead of a pistol or revolver nipple, that's probably the only way to get one that's close.

If you buy a No. 11 nipple and can't get any No. 10 caps, you can sand down the nipple cone so the No. 10 caps will fit. Chuck the nipple up in a drill and use it as a lathe to spin the nipple while you sand or file the cone. Go slowly and check it often so as not to overdo it.

[arcticap]

Traditions and CVA guns use the same 6 X 1mm nipple. The standard nipple takes #11 caps so maybe you were using oversized #10 caps or the nipple was previously altered?
For instance, the old style #10 Remington Golden Caps were actually size #11's.
Anyway, Cabela's sells 2 styles of improved aftermarket replacement nipples:

Red Hot:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0012627210270a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=nipples&sort=all&Go.y=8&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Go.x=13&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

Spit Fire:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0012627210268a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=nipples&sort=all&Go.y=8&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Go.x=13&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

[Shultzhaus]

arcticap - you mentioned two nipples that Cabela sells. One is spit fire and the other is a red hot. I have a Traditions Frontier, that I have been using 70 gr Goex, and PRB. I would like to try some 777, but I have had an occasional no fire even with the Goex. I want to try some different nipples, but don't know which one of those would be best. Maybe buy both, and "play around". I have a Cabela gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket. What are your thoughts on those nipples?

[arcticap]

My guess is that the Red Hots are more popular not only because they're more expensive but the narrow section of its flash channel seems to be shorter. The ignition problems with TC guns are often solved by using Red Hots.

There's other tips to try:

1. Clean the drum, nipple & flash channel thoroughly after shooting.

2. Leave the hammer on half-cock when loading and ramming. The escaping air should help to allow the powder to flow into the drum better.

3. After dropping the powder, tilt the gun toward the drum side and gently slap the side of the rifle to help insure that the powder enters the drum.

4. The finer grained fffg powders flow into the drum better and are usually easier to ignite than ffg.

Any fouling that can be scraped off of the breech plug with a scraper doesn't hurt, and try not to allow oil to soak into any residual breech plug fouling.

[frontiergander]

Never mind, Arcticap covered the thread size.

Stainless steel Spitfire with Hollowbase from cabelas is an excellent nipple too.

[Macmac]

mykeal , i am not sure but I think you made a in the head typo??

Is this what you really mean?

"If you buy a No. 11 nipple and can't get any No. 10 caps, you can sand down the nipple cone so the No. 10 caps will fit. "

[mykeal]

mykeal , i am not sure but I think you made a in the head typo??

Is this what you really mean?

"If you buy a No. 11 nipple and can't get any No. 10 caps, you can sand down the nipple cone so the No. 10 caps will fit. "

No.
"If you buy a No. 11 nipple and can't get any No. 10 caps, you can sand down the nipple cone so the No. 10 caps will fit." is what I said. What I meant to say was:

"If you buy a No. 11 nipple and can't get any No. 11 caps, you can sand down the nipple cone so the No. 10 caps will fit. "

[shotgunmessenger96]

thank you all for your answers. I just bought a couple traditions #11 stainless steel nipples and they work great. My #11 CCI percussion caps fit a little loosely and will slip off if I turn the gun upside down, but I solved that problem by just giving the cap a little squeeze before slipping it on the shank.

[frontiergander]

just a warning but ive been seeing posts on other forums where the Traditions nipples were splitting in half.

[Gbro]

My #11 CCI percussion caps fit a little loosely and will slip off if I turn the gun upside down,

If the #11's are falling off just go to #10's. Or maybe you need to push the 11's on tighter.

Arcticap;
For instance, the old style #10 Remington Golden Caps were actually size #11's.

That instance caused me and a shooting buddy some head scratching a couple months ago.:scrutiny:

[arcticap]

And then I have one nipple that only takes the old Remington #11's which are large enough to be #12's.
I haven't found a need to take the nipple down to a smaller size yet because I have several tins and come across them at gunshows.
It's worse than buying a pair of shoes with foreign sizes.
Welcome to the wacky world of muzzle loading! :D