CCI, Remington ... you listening?

[Gatofeo]

Some manufacturer of percussion caps is missing the boat.
Why not offer caps made especially for cap and ball revolvers? Such a cap would be elliptical so it stays on the nipple better.
Heck, cap and ball shooters been squeezing round caps into an elliptical shape for probably well over 100 years, so they clung to the revolver nipple.
Cap makers could label the caps No. 10R and No. 11R (for Revolver). They could even slap a "New & Improved!" sticker on the can and give us their typical B.S. about, "These caps are specially formulated for cap and ball revolvers" or some such nonsense.
They don't even have to change the priming mixture, just change the shape of the cap.
And we don't need a "Magnum" cap for cap and ball revolvers. The capacity of revolvers is so small that using a Magnum cap is wasteful. It's almost slightly more expensive, as the CCI No. 11 Magnum cap costs more around these parts (Salt Lake City) than the regular No. 11 cap.

Please CCI or Remington: Give us an elliptical cap that we don't have to pinch. Sure, it won't work through a capper but who cares? I've never found a capper that was any faster than placing caps on by hand.
Besides, round caps must be used in a capper --- and round caps typically fall off during handling or from recoil.

And while I'm at it ...

Why can't caps be made of plastic? Must they be copper? Surely, with today's plastics we can replace the copper cap. It may not look as authentic, but I'd bet it would be cheaper to produce, and easier to produce in a greater variety of sizes. How about a 9, 10, 10-1/2, 11, 11-1/2 and 12?

Not too long ago, the No. 12 cap size was available. Haven't seen a tin of them in a couple of years, though. Remington they were, newly made. I was shocked to see them as they have such limited use: original Colt Dragoon and Walker and 1970s reproductions of the same revolvers. I imagine that the folks with revolvers requiring a No. 12 cap are mighty careful about using their precious few caps.

So, c'mon CCI or Remington. The obvious is staring you in the face! We want elliptical caps for our sixguns! And if I can buy plastic caps that work just as well, for under a buck a tin, great!

Okay, what say the rest of you on this message board?

 

[20cows]

Actually you can get plastic caps. They're made for a kid's blank-type cap pistol. The usually come attached to ring that fits on a swing out cylinder, but can be easily separated. They're not particularly hot, but should work in a revolver that is set up properly. I have used them "in a pinch" before (and I didn't have to "pinch" them).

Be aware, you'll get some strange looks from other shooters if you use them. They're usually bright red or yellow and don't look "traditional".

 

[Cap n Ball]

I've used toy caps and they work just fine. Another advantage is that they don't jam up the action with little jagged pieces like the traditional kind can. Holding back the hammer on half-cock and rocking the cylinder to pick out a little chunk of metal while the other chambers are loaded seems dangerous to me.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Why can't caps be made of plastic? Must they be copper? Surely, with today's plastics we can replace the copper cap. It may not look as authentic, but I'd bet it would be cheaper to produce, and easier to produce in a greater variety of sizes. How about a 9, 10, 10-1/2, 11, 11-1/2 and 12?

If you have any knowledge of mold making or Plastics Injection Molding you'd know these tolerances would be near impossible to hold. And if you didn't know now you do...copper caps not only fragment as they are made to but are cheaper to produce... and Historically correct for the most part.

Heck, cap and ball shooters been squeezing round caps into an elliptical shape for probably well over 100 years, so they clung to the revolver nipple.

First off you can keep your Remington caps they suck on revolvers...more misfires when I tried their new "HOT" caps then anything I have ever used.
Just keep squeezin um like I do...I use CCI#11's on 1863 Rem Pocket.31, 1848 Colt Baby Dragoon.31, 1851Colt, 1860Colt, 1858Rem, 1861Rem, 1851 3rd Colt Dragoon, Reb guns, from Armi San Paolo, ASM, Colt, Pietta, Uberti, SILE Inc., even have a late 1950's early 1960's 1860 Army Belgium made from Navy Arms they shoot in...hell I don't wanna pay more than $4.00 a tin for um, I think that's too much ... I remember when...well that's another topic. Anyway thats what works for me...

 

[warbirdlover]

Interesting. I usually get one misfire (fires on second try) using CCI caps for every 12 shots (or less) fired and NEVER have had a misfire with a Remington cap. I'll use Remingtons. I've also had the best luck with Remington primers in handloads for my rifles.

 

[Smokin_Gun]

Caps

Interesting. I usually get one misfire (fires on second try) using CCI caps for every 12 shots (or less) fired and NEVER have had a misfire with a Remington cap. I'll use Remingtons. I've also had the best luck with Remington primers in handloads for my rifles.

Warbirdlover did you use CCI #10 or #11's? Too tight is when they usually fire the second time. That's why I use CCI #11. Remington caps run a little smaller in size very simular to the heavy walled German and Old Italian Brands. The new make Rem's I tried would some would fire the second time and some not at all, the only Rev I have they do work pretty good in is Pietta Texas Paterson no lever 9" bbl. so go figure.

 

[warbirdlover]

I'm using #10 and putting on with a capper. Seem to go on just fine. I haven't "pinched" them. Maybe I've just been lucky, LOL, but until I have a problem I'll just keep doing it this way. I want to get another (Remington New Army or Rogers & Spencer) gun since mine has a brass frame and I'm liking this hobby too much. Maybe different guns like different caps or pinching?

 

[Smokin_Gun]

More will be revealed

I'm using #10 and putting on with a capper. Seem to go on just fine. I haven't "pinched" them. Maybe I've just been lucky, LOL, but until I have a problem I'll just keep doing it this way. I want to get another (Remington New Army or Rogers & Spencer) gun since mine has a brass frame and I'm liking this hobby too much. Maybe different guns like different caps or pinching?

I gotcha WBL . Like I said I've doing this over 20 years, and if what I pass on nobody wants to listen to that's cool. I don't have to share the knowledge that time and expiriance taught me... so for what it's worth take it or leave it, just have fun shootin'.

 

[Sistema1927]

Half of the fun of shooting cap & ball revolvers is the frustration factor.

Gives you a chance to see exactly why the modern cartridge was invented.

 

[Poodleshooter]

How about nipples that are ribbed around their circumference in order to better hold the regular #11 caps.
I don't think we have much chance of changing cap design. The use of #11 caps has probably fallen dramatically since everyone is moving to musket caps and 209's lately.

 

[warbirdlover]

smokin gun,
No disrespect meant. I'm very new to this and I'm sure you've forgotten more then what I'll ever know about blackpowder shooting.

I only meant that I haven't been pinching the caps, using #10 Remington and haven't had any misfire. I did with CCI.

I'll also say that on the first two times I loaded I had one chamber come around where the cap had fallen off so I now know if this happens alot to pinch them from what you've said.

I also now watch for this (missing caps) so I don't get the chain fires from the nipple end! Thanks for your much appreciated advise.