Percussion caps and other supplies during the last shortage?

How long would you expect black powder and primers to last assuming they kept sealed at room temperature?

I saw the writing on the wall with .22 ammo just before it dried up last time, and started to stock pile. I now have enough to las tme a good while. As to muzzleloader supplies, I never really gave that any thought. I don't shoot my only percussion gun much these days and still have several hundred caps, so they will last me a good while. Lead I have plenty of so at my rate of shooting that too will last me for years. I don't stockpile powder simply from a safety standpoint.

After the last shortages, I stocked up on Large Rifle primers and #11 caps as well as 4 to 5 lbs. of BP. I still have a stockpile of lead so I'm good for awhile. Guess I need to get more .22 rim fire.

I dont have a whole lot for any one gun. But some for each individual caliber. Lets just say a sufficient amount !

WRustyLane said:

After the last shortages, I stocked up on Large Rifle primers and #11 caps as well as 4 to 5 lbs. of BP. I still have a stockpile of lead so I'm good for awhile. Guess I need to get more .22 rim fire.

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No need to rush out for .22 any time soon friend. I haven't seen it flying off the shelves and Wal-Mart is always stocked up whenever I go there, unlike a few years ago.

Hmm, I don’t use the persuction craps, erm, hemm, I mean “percussion caps”!

I find all the ignition I need around the creek banks near my house.

If our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ meant for us to shoot percussions, he’d a left them scattered about the earth, as he did flints!!

I started shooting in the NSSA in 1967. Took a multi decade hiatus and resumed in 2005. The first season I was back, I shot leftover powder and caps from the early 80's. worked just fine. One tin of caps had been opened and the foam pad on top had deteriorated into some sort of sticky goo. Having nothing to lose, I rinsed them off in warm water and dish soap and let them dry. IIRC, only about 1/2 a dozen of the 200 or so caps failed to fire. None of this was "preserved" in any way - tins cans on a shelf in the damp .basement

Sidney Smith said:

No need to rush out for .22 any time soon friend. I haven't seen it flying off the shelves and Wal-Mart is always stocked up whenever I go there, unlike a few years ago.

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I know there's no rush to do this. It's just that I'm getting low and the wife wants a new .22 rf pistol, as she wants to get her concealed carry permit and I know she's gonna burn thru some ammo in a hurry.

Thats what I'd call money well spent ! Most wifes would want a new pair of shoes or some new stick of furniture.

I wandered the wilderness of home made percussion caps. I used a forrester auto- cap die to make the cups. I tried about every way to use toy pistol caps and also matches. Mostly with only some success. If you shot only black powder you could get a few shots off.Three to five by then the flame path was clogged off. Now with Prime All from 22reloader,you have a great deal of power available . They can be made with more power than even the magnum percussion caps ,if desired. They also sell a cap maker that works like Forrester's Tap-O -Cap. I use two layers of pop cans for my caps. The small pistol primer idea with tubing can work . Probably best in a revolver though. In a side lock the hammer must be perfectly centered and the cup needs to be large. If not, the edge of the hammer will hit the tubing and may not fire. Been there and done that.
n.h.schmidt

I've heard of making your own caps by using match heads or toy caps for cap guns. I guess that's why I've save all of my used caps from centerfire rounds. I've got several coke bottles full. I keep them for one of those "just in case" scenarios.

I have started tucking away some caps for a rainy day. To further hedge my bets, I just ordered a 209 adapter because I load shotshells and have a few thousand primers handy. Since my rifles work fine with caps I am happy to use them, but the adapter gives me options.

Sidney Smith said:

No need to rush out for .22 any time soon friend. I haven't seen it flying off the shelves and Wal-Mart is always stocked up whenever I go there, unlike a few years ago.

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Ok wait for it to be going quick and get none. NOW is the time to buy some but it takes a certain want to do that.

It isn't that long until the next election cycle really gets lowing and prices are low. If you feel light on anything, now is the time to get it.

Don H said:

How long would you expect black powder and primers to last assuming they kept sealed at room temperature?

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I took a can of powder to the range last weekend, someone commented on the old can. I turned it over and it was dated 1982... it shot fine for 37 years old.

OH! I am 74 years old and still shoot fine

So its fine wine, aged cheese and older shooters who get better with age. Is it in that order?

Powder and caps when kept dry and taken care of will last decade's. I have powder over 20 years old that is fine. Caps and primers last just as long. One thing people for gun control been talking about is passing a law to put something in primers or powder that will break down after a few years so we CAN'T stock-pile. More is better.

"Dunno how widespread the loose pellet thing might be, because I haven't seen it in other brands. But why take chances if you really intend for this stuff to last for years or decades?"

It is in Remington's.

I really dont know if I came off pro or con on this "stockpiling" thing but I'm definitely for it. Like the Boy Scouts say "Be Prepared". Just dont buy up everything in sight and be sure to leave some for the other guys.