Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: GEARHEAD on September 21, 2010, 10:35:48 AM

Title: Nipple Q:
Post by: GEARHEAD on September 21, 2010, 10:35:48 AM: 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!
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: FC on September 21, 2010, 10:40:12 AM: 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...
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: dawhunt on September 21, 2010, 11:23:08 AM: any sporting goods store should have the nipple you need wouldn't count on wholesale sports and i work there !!
Bob
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: wadu1 on September 21, 2010, 11:45:10 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: CP on September 21, 2010, 12:04:08 PM: Quote from: wadu1 on September 21, 2010, 11:45:10 AM
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!
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: GEARHEAD on September 21, 2010, 04:55:33 PM: thanks guys, regarding whole sale sports, yeah, they didn't have chit, only one or two i think it was.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: dawhunt on September 21, 2010, 05:35:29 PM: I think a traditions nipple will fit not sure tho. I think the thread is 1/4x28
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: Whitelightning on September 21, 2010, 06:08:19 PM: Quote from: wadu1 on September 21, 2010, 11:45:10 AM
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.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: Whitelightning on September 21, 2010, 06:10:09 PM: 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 :twocents:
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: ML_Hunter on September 22, 2010, 12:00:23 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: ML_Hunter on September 22, 2010, 12:02:45 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: Hangfire on September 22, 2010, 05:31:52 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: Whitelightning on September 22, 2010, 06:44:19 AM: Quote from: Hangfire on September 22, 2010, 05:31:52 AM
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.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: bobcat on September 22, 2010, 07:55:39 AM: Quote from: Hangfire on September 22, 2010, 05:31:52 AM
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.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: bobcat on September 22, 2010, 08:06:26 AM: Here is some load date from Lyman showing both 2F and 3F loads for 50 and 54 caliber rifles:
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: GEARHEAD on September 22, 2010, 11:54:29 AM: thx all, appreciate it, touching up and filing may be my best option for now, gonna try that and shoot tomorrow.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: Whitelightning on September 22, 2010, 08:59:29 PM: I agree bobcat the powder that is most consistant is the one to use in your rifle. I use 2ff in my .410 rifle and it loves it. I also use 3ffg in my 12 gauge shot gun as it shots a better pattern with it than it does with RS.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: Old Dog on September 22, 2010, 09:06:15 PM: I beleive that gun was made for Cabela's by InvestArms. They are an Italian company, so the gun will take the same thread as the Lyman, but for the life of me I can't remember what that is. :bash:
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: bobcat on September 22, 2010, 09:14:47 PM: I have a Lyman Deerstalker and it takes a 6 x .75mm nipple. Mid-South Shooters Supply has a 3 pak for $6.
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: bobcat on September 22, 2010, 09:16:07 PM: https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000156030080 (https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000156030080)
Title: Re: Nipple Q:
Post by: Hangfire on September 22, 2010, 11:11:55 PM: It is true that the Lyman Black Powder handbook shows loads for the 54 cal using 3F. Larger than .54 they used 2F. The experienced people I am referring to, are people I used to shoot competition with at the state competition. Some of these people shot in the national meets at Friendship and also on the international team. The manufactures recommendations I have looked at (I haven't seen them all) recommend 2F in the larger calibers.

My Black Powder Handbook by Sam Fadala says" In one pressure/velocity test, 140 grains FFg rendered a muzzle velocity of 1,779 feet per second with an LUP (pressure measurement) of 8,300. Only 100 grain of FFFG produced a velocity of 1,740-just 39 feet per second less but, a LUP of 11,700.

We all know people that exceed reload manuals and get away with it. I have talked to people who have seen muzzle loaders blow up.

Be carefull.