[dispatch55126]

Dimensionally, a musket cap is much wider so it should throw a greater spark than a #11 cap which I would assume would translate into greater reliability of ignition. If this is true, why are #11 caps so common?

[Das Jaeger]

Girlfriend is Hotter :D

My understanding of caps is a #11 is the same power as a musket cap but the musket cap has shoulders is all .

[Tommygunn]

#11s go on revolvers. Muskets are for longarms.

That having been said, I bought a repro .54 Sharps carbine which came with both a nipple for muskets as well as for #11 caps. I never got reliable ignition from a #11 cap so I went to the musket -- and lived happily ever after.
OTOH the musket just won't work for the revolver. Ha ha.
However I have never had ignition problems with revolvers.
The two caps may be identical in power for all I know but in my humble experience, something about the performance gives the edge to the muskets in the Sharps, where the flame has to go around a corner.

[azyogi]

I've had good luck with the CCI No. 11 Magnum Percussion Caps. They work well for my T/C Renagade, ROA, and all my !858 clones.

[arcticap]

I picked up this quote along the way:

On page 83 of Dave Ehrig's book "Muzzleloading for Deer & Turkey", he lists some information on percussion caps and primers.

#11 standard cap - 6.53 cc of gas at 3,024 degrees F when fired.
#11 magnum cap - 7.59 cc of gas at 3,717 degrees F when fired.
U.S. #2 musket cap - 14.36 cc of gas at 3,717 degrees F when fired.
#209 shotgun primer - 21.98 cc of gas at 3,024 degrees F when fired.
#200 rifle primer - 11.68 cc of gas at 3,024 degrees F when fired.

[dispatch55126]

Using the above data, it would appear that the musket cap is "hotter". However, does the increase in gas volume cause any issues with displacing the loose powder?

[alemonkey]

Interesting thread...I have problems with slow ignition in my old CVA side lock after a couple of shots, and I noticed today Scheel's here in town has started carrying musket caps and nipples. I should try switching.

[camodip]

Musket caps are a little hotter but the main difference is they have a lot more volume of flame than a #11 cap so they are much more reliable in hard to ignite systems. 209 primers are too powerful and will move the load, always had better accuracy with #11's or musket caps compared to 209's too.

[dispatch55126]

Okay, thanks. I've contacted CVA regarding #11 and musket cap breech plugs for the Buckhorn. I may have to try the different plugs to see which is more reliable/accurate.