Ordered wrong caps...

T

tonicbelly

Inactive
Hello, I recently made an order for my Pietta Colt Navy 1851 and purchased CCI #11 Magnum Percussion caps. I am not sure if those will work on that particular firearm but I wanted to post here and make sure before I ordered the Remington #10's.

Cabela's will not allow me to return the Caps even though they have not arrived to me yet. If they will not work on my cap n ball pistol, then do any of you have any suggestion of what I do with the 1,000 caps? I'm new to BP and I'm not quite sure!

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.
 
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The #11's will work on your gun if they will stay on the nipple. They just won't fit quite as tight as a #10. I have used them without any issues although I prefer #10's.
 
Thank you. Does the Magnum make any difference? I understand they burn hotter and provide a better ignition. I heard about crimping the nipples to make them a tighter fit. Have you done that with the 11's?
 
Yes, crimping or pinching the caps should help keep them on. I have never used magnums so I can't really comment.

By the way, welcome to the world of black powder. I will warn you now, it becomes very addictive.
 
I use CCI number 11 caps on my Pietta 1860 Army. They are slightly large, I just pinch them a little and they fit fine, they stay on with no problem.
I have left this revolver loaded, in a dresser drawer, for 3 years, and it fired fine.

By the way CCI makes some good caps. My brother came to visit, he hadn't fired his muzzleloaders in 30 years!
He brought a tin of CCI caps that he had bought in 1979.
I figured they were no good. We fired 5 cylinders, we got 100 per cent ignition with the old CCI caps.
 
I will see if I need to get the nipples if I keep having problems with the caps but first I try out a tin of these caps.

And finally, could someone clarify if these magnum caps are safe to use on the pietta confederate colt navy? I dont want to ruin the nipples or anything with a cap that is too powerful or hot.

Thanks everyone for the quick replies.
 
I use #11 Mags on my Pietta 1858 Remington all the time - never missed a "bang" and they've never fallen off....and that's without crimping them down.
 
"Magnum" caps are safe to use on your revolver. They do produce a larger quantity of hot gas than regular caps, but as for hotter temperatures - that data is highly suspect in my opinion. I've seen no evidence of "better ignition", whatever that is.
 
I've seen no evidence of "better ignition", whatever that is.
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I have not seen any difference either.
I would keep your #11's, you well soon own a revolver to use them on. I buy both 10's and 11's in two brands, I have a few revolvers with different size nipples.
 
robhof

The difference in the mag caps is slight and they are best with the b/p substitutes like Pyrodex or 777, as they require a slightly hotter ignition, but they work fine with real b/p and don't cause excess pressure.
 
I don't know where I got that term 'better ignition'. Must have been something I just assumed.

I am using Pyrodex powder. So that's good that these caps are good for b/p substitutes.

I am excited to be in the world of b/p. I bought the Confederate because of the price and hopefully if I am able to shoot regularly...then I will be more comfortable with buying a higher quality cap & ball pistol. As for now, it looks like I'm all set!
 
Just don't use full charges with that brass frame or you'll be shopping for a new one much sooner than you think.
 
20-22 grains should do it right? I understand that is what most people use in these brass frame .44 colt navies.

From what I understand though, it should last me years as long as I clean it and tighten it up after every shooting.

I plan on saving my money for a higher end C&B but for now, this is a good starting pistol. For the price...

Any advice you can give to lengthen the life of it?
 
robhof

Clean it thoroughly after every use, even with substitutes. Don't ever put up or wait a few days to clean, as the corrosive effects of b/p and caps will start to form. Use only vegetable or animal oils/grease as the gun oils will build deposits with b/p and subs. Pam works as a between use storage oil.
 
20-22 grains should do it right? I understand that is what most people use in these brass frame .44 colt navies.
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That well work. I would keep loads 22grs or less. Try 16-18grs, it can just as much fun. Just be sure you are getting some compression on the powder.
 
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