Why I would recommend someone not get into muzzleloading

@Iver Davidson, maybe mention what area you're in. Someone may know of a local place to get some or even be able to help you out with a couple tins if you're close enough.

Iver Davidson said:

I understand what you're saying and don't want to be seen as defeatist, but I have worked hard at learning all about my gun and its upkeep, watching hundreds of videos, buying all of the other supplies needed, trying to make caps that stay together long enough for me to get to the range. It's basic frustration I'm feeling because the simple experience of shooting the gun is what I'm lacking. I will continue trying, but my point was that this is a trying time get into cap and ball for the first time.

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Well if your anywhere near Rhode Island. I’ll spot you a tin of #11’s. Postal regs being what they are or I’d mail them to you.
Offer not open to any one else.

PM me. I use the kit on a regular basis and shoot my #10s and #11s that I make. I have a 99.9% fire rate. I'll be glad to help ya out. Don't give up! The main reasons I got into BP is self suffiency. I haven't bought any caps since last year.

Caps are out there just not a lot and they are always in stock in a few places during the hunting seasons where I live and I always buy extra when I do find them I just bought 500- #11 last week here local where I live but it was all he had left on the shelf or i would have bought more

Iver Davidson said:

I bought a cap and ball revolver two months ago and have fired it a total of seven times. As in seven shots. The problem: No available percussion caps. None to be found. Anywhere. Admittedly, there are those online sites where you supposedly can get them with a minimum order of $150 or $200. I have tried making my own caps, watching videos and working tirelessly. The result is hit and miss. Mostly miss. Even those well-meaning video hosts who work out different approaches to DIY caps seem to have limited success and also seem to have a stock of the real stuff to use when they need it. I have not actually seen a commercially produced cap in person--just in the online ads. Sites and stores selling percussion arms should have a sign saying: Don't plan on shooting this weapon. This is not the time to get into muzzleloading. Those already enjoying the sport apparently have a supply of percussion caps available. Those just getting started? Good luck. Hang the gun on the wall. Just don't plan on shooting it.

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That's why I only shoot flintlocks. Always have, always will. Semper Fi.
PS, I DO have a good supply of caps if I ever need them. I haven't shot a C&B in years.

rusticbob said:

Debby Downer !
Percussion caps can be found, I live in a rural area of Southern Vermont and was able to pick up two tins last week from a local gun shop. He only had 5 tins available, and I wanted to save a few for others. According to CCI, who makes percussion caps, they are a seasonal item, they will start producing them again in June or July.
Or you can get yourself a flintlock and find no need for caps.

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“Or you can get yourself a flintlock and find no need for caps.”
Same reason our predecessors living on the American frontier were slow to switch to percussion from rock as I recall reading.

I get mine locally. Don't know if he ships. Buck's Gun Shop, Daytona.

Walmarts in mid August will have them , just got to check often.

I realize we now live in a world of instant gratification, but no need to be so down. I got into it at the peak of the "pandemic" no caps, no balls, no molds, no powder except for Pyrodex. My rifle, which was backordered for 2 months, sat in the box for 4 month before I ever got it out. All things muzzleloading is a long game, just part of the experience.

After you have made your own caps, and see how tedious it is, you will thankful when you find the store baughts.

The only person to blame is We the People, who let the the gobermint run roughshod.

My nephew was in the same boat as you two or three years ago when nothing could be found and I sent him a tin or two so as to ease the pain and last year when caps started peaking out the kid took out a personal loan for seven hundred dollars and bought caps and powder vowing he was not going to be stuck again. The things you need are out there you just have to search a little, Muzzle Loading is not I have to do it but I want to do it sport. In the times we live in now things are very costly and you have to Pay to Play in all regards. So Stock up when you can and Cry once Buy once so to speak…

Iver Davidson said:

I bought a cap and ball revolver two months ago and have fired it a total of seven times. As in seven shots. The problem: No available percussion caps. None to be found. Anywhere. Admittedly, there are those online sites where you supposedly can get them with a minimum order of $150 or $200. I have tried making my own caps, watching videos and working tirelessly. The result is hit and miss. Mostly miss. Even those well-meaning video hosts who work out different approaches to DIY caps seem to have limited success and also seem to have a stock of the real stuff to use when they need it. I have not actually seen a commercially produced cap in person--just in the online ads. Sites and stores selling percussion arms should have a sign saying: Don't plan on shooting this weapon. This is not the time to get into muzzleloading. Those already enjoying the sport apparently have a supply of percussion caps available. Those just getting started? Good luck. Hang the gun on the wall. Just don't plan on shooting it.

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You apparently don't have the patience to make caps. We make our own and have been very easy to do and work as well as the factory made. .22lrreloader has an excellent kit for making #10 & #11 caps. Prime-All Repriming Compound
So, that being said, local gun shop usually have tins available and at times even the big box stores have them. At this time there are re-enactments and rendezvous, and muzzleloader shooting clubs all over this Country out there shooting every day.

Johnny Tremain said:

After you have made your own caps, and see how tedious it is, you will thankful when you find the store baughts.

The only person to blame is We the People, who let the the gobermint run roughshod.

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They aren't that tedious to make.

bronko220002 said:

Well if you feel that way about your revolver send it to me and I'll send you a non firing replica to hang on your wall

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I'm gonna offer him 50 bucks!

AlexB said:

I found a bunch at Scheels in missoula ,Mt.
The prime all caps were 100% 24\24 fired first trigger pull.
Left out the tan bag and used duco cement in acetone at 10:1.
No issues with the primer charge falling out and I beat the container around for a few hours prior to shooting them.........smell like kids red cap strips.

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This is the problem in this Country today! Some folks just want everything done for them! No skill building whatsoever! They're out there, like you, you just have to look.

TDM said:

And you would be correct on that.

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I have some. I mostly shoot flinters. However, caps are available. You didn’t say where you live.

Ed C. said:

You have to want to get into muzzleloading. If you want to shoot a lot of bullets and don't like prepping, cleaning or working on the guns it is not for you. If you really want to shoot you will find some caps somewhere and when you have the chance, assemble a reasonable stock. I know it can be frustrating to not be able to just go out to a local store and get what you need for a weekend shoot so we have to adapt, improvise, or give up.

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Unfortunately Ed C, most folks in this Country don't have the gumption to adapt, improvise, and over come anymore.

Cats don't need caps.

Mustang65 said:

I'm gonna offer him 50 bucks!

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I'll go $75

Flintlocks, a club with one shot capability. That’s if one has mastered the art of flint adjustment, kept the primer pan dry amd the vent open.
Sorryguys, can’t resist, not trolling, There’s a reason the world moved on from “rock locks”. I’ve got a couple but there’s just more fun in a more reliable ignition, and the speed of loading the breech loaders or revolvers speaks for its self.
More shooting less fiddling.

Tenring said:

My nephew was in the same boat as you two or three years ago when nothing could be found and I sent him a tin or two so as to ease the pain and last year when caps started peaking out the kid took out a personal loan for seven hundred dollars and bought caps and powder vowing he was not going to be stuck again. The things you need are out there you just have to search a little, Muzzle Loading is not I have to do it but I want to do it sport. In the times we live in now things are very costly and you have to Pay to Play in all regards. So Stock up when you can and Cry once Buy once so to speak…

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I source my lead for free. I make my own caps. Have even started filling my horn without going to the store. What is this Pay to Play you speak of? Lol!

Just joking around with ya a little.

It is possible to blow smoke and sling lead very cheaply. If someone who is able put in the work to source what is needed, then put in the time to learn the skills to feed their own guns, most of us wouldn't even need a store. I shoot at least 4 or 5 times a week with different guns and my cost is almost nonexistent. I understand some can't due to certain health reasons or maybe an issue sourcing something. But for the most part, most of us in this group would be more than capable of making "store-bought" nearly completely unnecessary, if we put in the time and effort.

I actually got back into BP just for the sake of self sufficiency. I have since discovered just how adaptable BP is for other unmentionables. In spite of prices or hoarders I can keep shooting on a regular basis for fun and practice. I can still put meat on the table and defend my home if needed. And, I do it for less cost per month than some folks spend on a box of round ball or conicals.