Percussion caps-where are they?

Lucky you. I haven't found any stores that carry them in my area. Spent the morning calling all the towns close to me. May end up having to drive 50 or 60 miles to find some. Nothing on line that I've found. I finally found one tin of 100 in my ratholed stuff. Need more for sure.
 
All #10 caps are not the same. RWS and CCI 10s are too small for anything I own. #10 Remington caps fit everything (all 12) I own and CCI #11s fit about half the guns I own.

The Remington #10s are the most forgiving caps in regard to fitting various revolver nipples. The RWS and CCI #11s are closer in size to the Rem #10 as to fit.
 
https://www.buffaloarms.com/1000-rws-11-percussion-caps-rws11.html

The above link is for Buffalo Arms, where they sell #11 caps.
They sell 4 tins of 250 each, with a limit of 1,000 caps per purchase (due to limited supplies, I guess?)

I have no association with that company, but am posting because I was in search of cap availability myself.

I've not posted on this forum since 2015, ha! I am back now, as this black powder sub-forum is the best and I am looking to pick up a couple of black powder revolvers.

I currently have an 1858 that is factory converted to 45 Colt but have a Colt Pocket Police revolver on backorder...
 
Check nipples

Two hundred thirty per thousand is mighty pricey as well.
Is it the same basic material in modern percussion caps and primers? I would think so.
In my experience the size number is variable between manufacturer's, when available I choose caps based on how well they fit the nipples, the size number is secondary.
 
Pricey???

More like HIGHWAY ROBBERY!

I'd be making my own if I had to pay that much...

Old No7
Click to expand...

I was on vacation with money to spend. I also bought a nice Italian pipe and a bag of nice tobacco in the same store. I have experimented with home made - I haven't got the knack down quite yet, but a buddy does.
 
You can make your own using a kit from .22LR Reloader, either no 10 or no 11 caps, they have a die for each. Their primer compound is a four-part powder that you mix in small quantities. Use the supplied dipper to fill the primer cup and spritz with some cheap hair spray to keep it in place. It is a corrosive mix, so cleaning is required asap. But we are talking about black powder firearms, so cleaning is mandatory anyway. One thought, you can substitute the beer can aluminum strips for .004 brass strips from Amazon, much more durable primer. Not required in revolvers or long guns, but if you are shooting a Uberti Remington New Model Army carbine, these may be much better than commercial caps as your face is closer to the nipple during ignition. Also, you can go to the social media MEWE and look up the group Primer Reloading. There are a lot of folks that are reloading their own primers, percussion, and center fire, using noncorrosive priming mixes with excellent results. I think it is Aardvark reloading on Rumble. Gives the procedures and chemicals required to reuse center fire primers. Plus, there are some innovative tools available from different members.
 
Must be nice! I grew up in Mississippi and some of those out of the way "country" stores can have all kind of treasures!
 
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I just made my first batch of No11 caps using the EPH 20 non corrosive formula. I used two different loadings for the caps. One is level the cup with the powder then compress with a 1/8 inch punch. The second is using the small end of the powder dipper furnished by .22 Reloader, which produces a lesser charged cap. That is compressed with the 1/8 inch punch as before. The beauty of this is the compound is not explosive at this stage. You then add one drop of 50/50 water, 70% isopropyl alcohol to activate. Allow this to dry for a couple of days or use a dryer for a couple of hours. The cups were made using the Tap-0-Cap tool from Forester Products, this tool is not made any more but a similar one is available from .22 Reloader. The first loading were very loud, the second ones were noticeably quieter but still fairly strong.
So now to find a charge somewhere in between. And perhaps adjust the mix a little.
 
" using a kit from .22LR Reloader, either no 10 or no 11 caps, they have a die for each."

I ordered both dies and primeall from them weeks ago. Hasn't arrived yet.
I did get 750 #1075s from Graf day before yesterday. They work with my Slixshot nipples, but not my Tresos.
 
Hi Jim
The Prime All kit is functional however there are a couple of issues you will run into. The compound is corrosive to the barrel. The compound is explosive when mixed, so follow the instructions and make small batches. Also the cost is very high compared to what you can purchase them for once you know what those chemicals are. Once the caps are made, you must come up with a way to keep the powder in them or it falls out. Try a cheap hair spray and spritz the cups with it. Also thin paper disc like cigarette paper may work as well. Punch it out with a leather punch, one of those with the wheel on it that has several sizes. I have been down that road and had some successes, and failures. You may want to go to this site. It is about reloading primers, .22LR cases, and percussion caps. There are a lot of people there to help, very good folks. Just taking reloading up a notch or two. The EPH 20 is for .22LRs but works for caps, and small pistol primers. Also BPCR. It is easy to do, I put it off way too long thinking it would be hard to do, that was stupid, it is not, requires a couple of things not expensive. Lots of instruction videos, also go to the MEWE social page and join the group Primer Reloading. No cost.
https://rumble.com/vtjboi-reloading-primers-for-beginners-jump-start-3.html
tons of information here by some very knowledgeable people.
https://www.aardvarkreloading.com/
 
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