question is the 54cal muzzeloaders dying

[Skinny 1950]

cpt-t...#10 caps are a bit smaller than #11, if the smaller cap is too tight on the nipple it may not go off when hit by the hammer but will usually go off on the second strike.
If your rifle is designed for #11 caps you may be able to use #10 by gently lowering the hammer on the cap then pressing on the hammer to seat the cap on the nipple all the way.Make sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction if you do this due to the possibility of the cap going off.

 

[cpt-t]

Skinny 1950: Thanks for the info on the difference between number 10 & 11 cap`s. Well I am going to run out to Cabelas and see if they have any 54 Cal round lead balls or FFG Black Powder in stock. I am thinking about ordering a 2 cavity 54 Cal mold, but I don`t think I can shoot any round lead ball that are made out of Wheel Weights and Old Shot lead bullets that I dug out of the back stop berms out at my Gun Club Range. In My Lyman 54 cal GPR. Will I need to find some different type of lead than what I have.
ken

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Skinny 1950: ... I don`t think I can shoot any round lead ball that are made out of Wheel Weights and Old Shot lead bullets that I dug out of the back stop berms out at my Gun Club Range. In My Lyman 54 cal GPR. Will I need to find some different type of lead than what I have.
ken

I wouldn't worry about using the "Hard" lead round balls. You're going to patch it anyway.

 

[midland man]

I made all my round balls out of wheel weights they were a little harder to start but shot very well for me!

 

[north east redneck]

Around here at least, I believe everything but .50 is dying off. Not much for the .45 and .54 or larger calibers is available. .32 and .36 stuff is not available locally at all. Personally this bothers me none, I cast my own RBs and bullets, cut patches, make felt wads and grease cookies to fit what I have.

 

[Archie Otto]

The problem is a lot of the large "sporting goods" (read that as clothing retailers) do not carry anything but the high turnover sales items to make room for more products on their over diversified shelves. Another issue is the lack of the ever popular inline muzzleloaders in any caliber but .50 cal. so these retailers cater to them. What that leaves us non .50 cal. shooters with is finding the ever dwindling brick and mortar retailers or turning to online sales for our needs. Fortunately there is a Cabela's and Track of the Wolf near me to satisfy my need for immediate gratification. However, Cabela's is a forty minute drive and Track is well over an hour away so it usually ends up being more affordable to have it shipped. Of course the other option is to make your own components when possible and to buy powder in bulk to reduce shipping costs.

The availability of non .50 caliber rifles is as good as it ever has been provided you want to shoot a shoot a side lock gun. The major manufacturers still offer the "oddball" calibers and a guy can still build his own from the parts sets offered by the many builder supply companies.

At this point both my completed cap-n-ball rifles and the flinter I am currently working on are all .54 caliber rifles. I assure you the .32, .36, .40, .54, .58, .62 and larger are still available for those who want them.

 

[Highboots]

54 dying

I shoot 90 gr fffg with the real bullet an 80 gr with fffg with round balls they shoot great in my guns of 54 calibres

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Use the cap that best fits your nipple. The only difference is the diameter of the cap.