Nipple Q:

[GEARHEAD]

i bought a cabelas kit muzzy a long while back, (same one i believe they still sell), i put it together, shot only seven shots and put it on the wall ever since. this year i have a multi season tag, considering taking the gun for a walk. appearantly i dry fired it too much and mushroomed the nipple just enough so a cap wont set on it. any recommendations where i can get a replacement.  also another question. i have FFFg black powder, bought it maybe 15 years ago with the gun, its been stored well, and i plan on shooting 90 grains in this .54. does powder have a shelf life and do ya think this gun will kill Elk out to 75 yards. when i shot it last it was faily accurate. Thanks!

[FC]

Man with a thread title like that I was full of hope and pretty sure I could steer you in the right direction but no...

[dawhunt]

any sporting goods store should have the nipple you need wouldn't count on wholesale sports and i work there !!
Bob

[wadu1]

All you need to know is the thread pitch, and you should always carry a spare. The powder should by fine as Long as it is not clumped up. I shoot 110 grains of 2FF in my .54 under a 460 gr hollow point.

[CP]

All you need to know is the thread pitch, and you should always carry a spare. The powder should by fine as Long as it is not clumped up. I shoot 110 grains of 2FF in my .54 under a 460 gr hollow point.

Ouch!

[GEARHEAD]

thanks guys, regarding whole sale sports, yeah, they didn't have chit, only one or two i think it was.

[dawhunt]

I think a traditions nipple will fit not sure tho. I think the thread is 1/4x28

[Whitelightning]

All you need to know is the thread pitch, and you should always carry a spare. The powder should by fine as Long as it is not clumped up. I shoot 110 grains of 2FF in my .54 under a 460 gr hollow point.

Nice to see someone else that shoots a big bore. I have 530gr lead conicals I shoot with 85-90 gr ffg T7, I also bought some 750gr conicals that I hear are super accurate with 120gr ffg T7, have not shot them yet but ought to be fun.

[Whitelightning]

Gearhead, you can also sand the nipple with extra fine emery paper or similar and save having to go find another one. Usually it does not take a whole lot of sanding to get the nipple back into shape

[ML_Hunter]

I have a Cabelas Hawkens in .54 and went to replace my nipple a few years ago.  Any ol sporting goods store actually does not sell the propper nipple for it.  It takes revolver threads for some odd reason.  I finally went to the muzzle loader supply shop in Puyallup and they do sell the propper nipple. 

[ML_Hunter]

O yea, and you can also call Cabela's 1800 number on there web page, and they can send you one!!  They didn't charge me for mine, but I also did tell them that I've been looking high and low for one and no one makes the correct thread pattern.  Later found the Muzzle loader supply shop.  Bill, the guy who runs the shop, is a very helpful guy!!  I have his number at work.  If I remember, i'll get his number and post it on here tomorrow.

[Hangfire]

Remove nipple and measure thread to find the correct replacement. To clean up the nipple you have, remove, chuck in drill with out clamping down on threads. Turn slowly and touch up swollen area with a light file. Check often with a cap for correct fit.

I would not shoot 3f in a 54. cal. The correct powder is 2f. If you do use 3f reduce the powder charge considerably. Three f burns faster than 2f. All manufactures recommend using 2f on any muzzle loader larger than 45 cal. Most people who are experienced with muzzle loaders will use 3f up to 50 cal.

[Whitelightning]

Remove nipple and measure thread to find the correct replacement. To clean up the nipple you have, remove, chuck in drill with out clamping down on threads. Turn slowly and touch up swollen area with a light file. Check often with a cap for correct fit.

I would not shoot 3f in a 54. cal. The correct powder is 2f. If you do use 3f reduce the powder charge considerably. Three f burns faster than 2f. All manufactures recommend using 2f on any muzzle loader larger than 45 cal. Most people who are experienced with muzzle loaders will use 3f up to 50 cal.

I thought he would figure out he needed to remove the nipple and chuck it in a drill.

[bobcat]

I would not shoot 3f in a 54. cal. The correct powder is 2f. If you do use 3f reduce the powder charge considerably. Three f burns faster than 2f. All manufactures recommend using 2f on any muzzle loader larger than 45 cal. Most people who are experienced with muzzle loaders will use 3f up to 50 cal.

That's not true. Many of the most experienced people will use 3F in 50 and 54 caliber rifles. There is no "correct" powder. Either one will work, you just need to experiment with both and see which one gives the best accuracy.

[bobcat]

Here is some load date from Lyman showing both 2F and 3F loads for 50 and 54 caliber rifles: