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Why I would recommend someone not get into muzzleloading

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Whughett said:
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. 😁
Click to expand...
Sorry there young man but a well tuned flintlock is just as reliable as a percussion rifle without worrying about caps. Of course I don't know how well I could shoot a flintlock pistol. I probably would be better off using it as a club!
 
I had a similar experience when I started getting into ML guns. I bought an inline and didn't realize how difficult it was going to be to aquire primers within 48 hours to go hunting. I was able to find a pack at a pawn shop, but of course they were very expensive, relatively speaking. I used the few I had to practice, and to hunt, and I also kept an eye out on some of the major sites online. It took about a month, but I was able to order over a thousand when they came in stock at Ballistic Products.

Finding #11 caps was even more of a pain in my rear. I got scalped on GunBroker, but they always have some if you are willing to pay the third party markup.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Percussion-Caps/search
I ended up getting a percussion cap maker and primeall, they are substantially cheaper than even store-bought caps, and seem to work just fine.

https://22lrreloader.com/products/11-percussion-cap-maker
I understand your frustration, but checking "ammunition" availability BEFORE you purchase a relatively exotic firearm is a good idea.
 
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.
Click to expand...
You are not wrong.

The hobby is in a serious crisis right now. I have shot competitively with black powder guns for the last 10 years in the North-South Skirmish Association. I just got a veteran shooter to pick up a M1842 smoothbore musket. However, RCBS has not made the .678 round ball (the usual load for these guns) for some time now. Finding a mold is a challenge.

Pistol caps are almost impossible to find online. Many people don't live near places that sell black powder supplies.

Graf's and Sons has a Schuetzen musket caps for sale. With 3 people in my household now shooting competitively, I'm going through 300-500 musket caps a month.

But you are correct - if someone buys a black powder pistol today there is a very good chance they won't be able to shoot it because they can't get percussion caps.
 
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.
Click to expand...
We definitely have them in Vermont. I just received a 5.5. Inch 1860 pietta. And got a pound of Swiss 451 balls and a tin of caps all local. Last week.
 
Iver where are you at? There may be a local on here that can point you in the right direction. If you're anywhere near me (Central Utah) I'll give you a tin to get you going and even take you out shooting to help you get the hang of them. Hang in there. You'll get some.
 
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.
Click to expand...
Imagine getting into reloading for brass cartridges nowadays and trying to buy what is needed, you would be ever more discouraged for sure.
Just hang in there and keep doing the DIY caps
Somethings take longer to perfect
 
Elgatodeacero said:
Caps are available. A quick search shows this legitimate retailer has 35k caps in stock.

https://www.outdoorlimited.com/remi...der-11-percussion-caps-x22619pack-1000-count/
Will OP now complain that he doesn’t like the price, doesn’t want 1000 caps, and won’t pay hazmat/shipping fees?
Click to expand...
Good lead. I had never heard of those guys.

I will say though that I find #11s to be too large for most stock reproduction revolver nipples. They tend to fall off. But, you take what you can get. I'd get some new nipples if I had to shoot #11 caps.
 
bronko220002 said:
Do you mean swapoed out? I've never seen a flintlock revolver!!!
Click to expand...
Elisha Collier of Boston Mass, invented a flintlock revolver in 1814. It is now in the Met.

1684530958528.png
 
Elgatodeacero said:
Caps are available. A quick search shows this legitimate retailer has 35k caps in stock.

https://www.outdoorlimited.com/remi...der-11-percussion-caps-x22619pack-1000-count/
Will OP now complain that he doesn’t like the price, doesn’t want 1000 caps, and won’t pay hazmat/shipping fees?
Click to expand...
With all the scam sites out there, have you, personally, used this on-line retailer?

Has anyone else here, personally, used Outdoor Limited?

Hazmat is a whopping 40 bucks and twice what others charge.

It what it is when things are hard to find.

Thanks.
 
Last edited:

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