ignition

[jdb]

My son and I will be muzzleloading for elk this fall. He shoots a knight with musket caps and 100 gr. pyrodex pellets. I shoot a t/c hawkin and 85 gr. pyrodex loose and use #11 caps. last year we had a big mix up with our caps so this year I want to simplify things and use the same cap on both guns. so do we go muskets or #11'S? JB

[rackattack]

Go with the musket caps.  There hotter and easier to handle.

[actionshooter]

I use the musket caps on my knight, but I have had problems with them falling off

[wastickslinger]

I like the musket caps as well. I have yet to have a misfire.

[Huckleberry]

If you use the #11's make sure they are the ones with green inside. The red ones (like CCI) aren't very hot and if anything gets damp they don't work very well. The green ones also fire hotter so the "delay" between little boom and big boom isn't as noticeable. I haven't had a need to use musket caps yet. Those I know who do hunt with them say they wouldn't go back.

My one question with musket caps is how they are constructed. I use nail polish over the cap/nipple to ensure a water tight seal and make sure it doesn't fall off. With the flared edges of a musket cap could you still do this or would the shape prevent it?

[actionshooter]

If you use the #11's make sure they are the ones with green inside. The red ones (like CCI) aren't very hot and if anything gets damp they don't work very well. The green ones also fire hotter so the "delay" between little boom and big boom isn't as noticeable. I haven't had a need to use musket caps yet. Those I know who do hunt with them say they wouldn't go back.

My one question with musket caps is how they are constructed. I use nail polish over the cap/nipple to ensure a water tight seal and make sure it doesn't fall off. With the flared edges of a musket cap could you still do this or would the shape prevent it?

 When I use #11 I use the green, RWS, they do seem hotter.

With the musket caps I don't think you can use the nail polish trick.

[follow maggie]

I switched to the musket cap a couple years ago, and it solved the nasty misfire problem I had.  The gun would go boom 1/2 the time.  With the musket cap, it goes boom every time.

[CP]

I’ve been considering trying musket caps but with the comments above I think I’ll hold off on that.  I use CCI magnum #11 caps and they work fine.  Zero delay between little bang and big bang, just one bang.  The few misfires that I have had were my fault, either:
1.   The red chemical in the cap had fallen out and I didn’t notice
2.   I didn’t clear the oil from the nipple and snail by snapping a couple caps prior to loading
3.   I didn’t put any powder in 

I use FFFg powder in my .54 – I know this isn’t recommended but I spoke with a Hodgdon technician and that’s what he uses.  He of course gave the usual disclaimer to follow their recommended practices and if I blow myself up they have no liability, etc.  The finer powder flows all the way to the base of the nipple for an instant light and I use less than a 100 grains, nowhere near the max for my rifle, so overcharge should not be a issue. 

The only complaint I have about the #11 caps are that they are small and hard to handle.

[wastickslinger]

Actionshooter, pich it a little bit before you put it on. Makes it fit real snug. I think all guns have the same issue with the musket. That is the only issue I have had. Much better than fumbling with those tiny #11's.

[Sagedawg]

 yeah what he said, a slight pinch will hold it on nice and tight.


  Sage