Should I switch to a Tap-O-Cap

[Dithsoer]

I've read a bit here and there about the Tap-o-cap, making percussion caps at home with children's roll caps. Just about everyone agrees that it works, it's just easier to buy factory-made caps. My question is, with the rising price of percussion caps (at least in my area), is this a viable alternative? I mean considering price, time spent, quality of product, etc. For example, if it takes five hours to make a hundred caps and they only work half the time, well, what's the point, right? Right now, I'm paying about $7.50 per tin of 100, and I don't really have the money to buy several thousand from a mail order company, no matter how cost-effective it may be. What does eveyone think? Would I be better off maybe considering making my own?
I love b.p. shooting, but the rising cost of supplies is really starting to put a damper on my shooting.

 

[arcticap]

I don't know how much the Tap-O-Cap costs, but there is always money that can be saved elsewhere than on caps.
Gasoline is probably a much more expensive aspect of shooting that could lead to greater cost savings than switching to Tap-O-Caps. Just think if a person could combine a trip or two here or there, or eliminate wasting 2 or 3 gallons a month from their gas tank, so the difference in cap costs could be offset.
Also, recycling raw materials is becoming much more worthwhile with the increased price of metals.
You'd be surprised what the scrap value of some metals is nowdays.
Aluminum was recently .65 per pound!
Brass was $1.60 per pound!
Lead was about .25 cents per pound and rising!
Copper is over $2.50 per pound!
Look for old car batteries!
Find it and recycle it through the nearest scrap yard!

Muzzle loading involves such a slow loading process, how many shots is usually taken in an hour with a single shot rifle? The increased costs for caps can't be that excessive. Sure pistols may consume more, but one can cut back on powder charges.
Shoot more .22 rimfire instead of centerfire ammo.
Maybe try casting your own bullets and balls.
Make homemade targets.
Be frugal, but don't expect those Tap-O-Caps to make your day of shooting suddenly more enjoyable.
Do you really want to risk wasting expensive powder, ball and bullets by using substandard caps?
Many of us are in the same boat. Try to buy other products in money saving quantities. Shop frugally on line, or try using circulars and coupons. Maybe you can save some gas that way over a short period of time.
Eat less beef and more chicken, or buy off the dollar menu at BK & MickyD's.
Cut out the soda & fries and drink water!
Buy cheaper toilet paper and light bulbs.
Go to the dollar store and hunt for bargains on toothpaste and shampoo!
Stick with the real caps!
Split an order with a friend!
Save all your spare change in a jar until you save up enough money.
Come on man, you can do it!

 

[Dithsoer]

Great ideas, really, one and all. I DO cast my own bullets, and do a lot of the other things you said, plus I don't have to drive to a range to shoot. But man, when I've been used to paying $3.50 to $4.50 on a tin of caps, and then I went to my gun store and found out that I was going to be charged almost $8.00 on a tin of caps, I freaked! I love my centerfire/rimfire guns, but I do a LOT of b.p. revolver shooting. Shooting cartridge guns just isn't the same for me (or for most of us). My problem is the only gun shop that I can get my caps from is either 8 miles away or 100, and that place told me that they were going to increase prices too. I don't know anyone else really who shoots b.p. in my area. Heck even to order them, the cheapest place that I could find raised their prices from $125.00 to $185.00 per 5000 in just the past few months (yeah I know, things are tough all over).
So you see, I figure if I can trade a few hours each night making caps instead of watching t.v. (not that there is anything on worth watching anymore), why not do it, right?
But Tap-O-caps are really that substandard where I should just eat chicken, look for old batteries and just stick with the factory caps?
I was thinking about getting another percussion revolver or two in the next few weeks, but, come to think of it, I guess I'll just get a cartridge gun.

Now just how expensive did you say brass was?

 

[mykeal]

If you think price inflation has affected caps and not cartridge ammo you're in for a big shock. It's even worse. Going to a cartridge gun is not going to be your solution.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I've read that the caps in the plastic 'speed loader' for toy guns is the good ones to use in the 'tap a cap'.

 

[pohill]

I bought one for about $20.00. They (the caps) work most of the time, but they are time consuming to make. For 20 bucks, I'd say get one, and you'll have plenty of time while making the caps to decide if it's for you.

http://www.lockstock.com/prodinfo.asp?number=FRTC1000

 

[Chawbaccer]

You can convert to primers. 209's are about three and a half cents apiece and rifle primers can be as low as a couple cents each.

 

[MCgunner]

I have one and like it for my revolvers, but it doesn't make enough flame for my Hawkin, misfires big time. It actually seems BETTER than store bought caps on my old army, though, amazing. I think for inline ignition, it's great, and I have one because I live in a small town and sometimes I've needed caps and didn't wanna drive 40 miles. Wallyworld here has roll caps. It's a good tool to have, too, if there's ever a shortage of caps like there has been of primers. Not sure if that'll ever happen, but hey, it could.

I've converted that hawkin to take small rifle magnum primers, but have been thinking of getting a cheap inline to play with just because of my home made caps. The rifle primers are THE way to go with the Hawkin, much more sure ignition.

 

[dwave]

MCgunner, where did you get the conversion for your Hawkins?

 

[MCgunner]

At a local gun shop. I had to use a die to rethread the pitch, though, cause it was for a TC and didn't match the threads on my Cabela's Hawkin Hunter Carbine. Actually, someone on this very board sold me a couple of spares, too, in case I was to lose my cap or something. It's called an Accra-Shot primer adapter. Says on the package fits CVA, Traditions, Heritage, Springfield Hawken, Dixie Gun Works Kentucky and Berdan rifles. The first one I bought fit TC. Hell, this one might fit the threads on MY rifle without recutting the threads, LOL.

However, I googled it and it may no longer be available. Here's a link and where I got that info....

http://www.hpmuzzleloading.com/TraditionalHPML.html

And I had replaced the nipple for the standard No. 11 percussion cap with an adapter for using much hotter and more reliable Small Rifle Primers. This adapter was once sold as the "Accra-Shot", and as far as I know, it is no longer in production.

 

[Dithsoer]

MCgunner
Tap-O-Caps work that well on your revolver, where you actually prefer them to store bought? That's what I was going to use mine on, just revolvers. I do a lot of shooting, just for practice and to increase my skill mostly, so hence, I don't need utmost precision. I'll go ahead and give them a try. Thanks.

 

[Yankee John]

I agree with pohill 100%. Get one for the "make it yourself" phenomenon. They do work fairly well- IF you use China-made caps (NOT Taiwan-made caps).

Very time/labor intensive, but you can make a bunch while watching TV with the wife (like I do).

I'll buy factory caps for general plinking, and save the Cap-O-tap for when SHTF happens and percussion caps become unavailable!

John

 

[MCgunner]

MCgunner
Tap-O-Caps work that well on your revolver, where you actually prefer them to store bought? That's what I was going to use mine on, just revolvers. I do a lot of shooting, just for practice and to increase my skill mostly, so hence, I don't need utmost precision. I'll go ahead and give them a try. Thanks.

Yep. I put several punched out caps in each cap body, though. Just one don't work too well, maybe a Tiawanese cap? LOL But, stick three in there and I never ever get a hangfire, very reliable ignition. I don't think they have enough flame to turn the corner in the Hawken, though, but on revolvers I prefer 'em unless I can find Fiocchi caps.