Percussion cap shelf life

[BillyC]

What is the shelf life of #11 caps? I haven’t shot a percussion in 20 years but I have two. An in-line and a hawken reproduction. I’m thinking if the world goes to manure they might be my only options in the future and was thinking about sticking up just in case.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Nearly indefinite if kept dry. I have some from 1970, still work fine. (I'm a flinchlocker, don't use many preecussions)

 

[longcruise]

I have a tin of musket caps that are over 40 years old and still function perfectly.

 

[Beaverman2]

I have a tin of musket caps that are over 40 years old and still function perfectly.

and they probably have a 50 cent price tag on them!

 

[64Springer]

I can't think of a worse gun to bring to a SHTF scenario than a single shot muzzle loading rifle.

The bad guys aren't going to give up their auto-loaders.

Don't give up yours.

 

[Daveboone]

huh?

 

[ord sgt]

Like powder, if the caps are kept in a dry place, like a sealed container, it should be good for many years. Moisture will spoil both caps and powder quickly.

 

[longcruise]

and they probably have a 50 cent price tag on them!

I don't remember the price and the label is gone. Maybe Butler Creek?

 

[BillyC]

Thanks for the replies. I thought I found some online but when I went to check out it was Zelle or PayPal only so I didn’t order them. Might have to go with a matchlock if things keep going south !!!

 

[Whitworth]

Patience Grasshopper, they will appear from time to time. Just keep checking everywhere you go. Wally World usually has them in the Fall but disappear quickly. Always ask if you don't see them, worse they can say is no. Check out yard and estate sales too. YMMV

 

[hanshi]

Considering the age of caps I started back using in the last decade I'd say they might not work after...oh, 150 years.

 

[nhmoose]

I have a wood box of #11 caps marked from Navy Arms , still has around 5000+ caps in plastic 100rnd type tins. They work as good as they did back in the late 60's they come from.

All I use in my revolvers. I got them from an estate of one of the big engineers here in NH.

 

[ETipp]

I had/have some percussion caps that were attached to the outside (caps) of speed loaders for close to 20 years. Out in the open, not enclosed. Moved east of the big muddy river and those caps were exposed to high humidity for 18 of those years. Thinking they may not be good, I used them as snap caps after cleaning my Crockett rifle. Those caps fired just fine.

 

[Togo]

With a medication I take the empty bottles fit my percussion caps perfectly, each container will hold 7 tins. Keeps them high and dry.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Considering the age of caps I started back using in the last decade I'd say they might not work after...oh, 150 years.

With you on that, I was using tins of Green Ely back in the 50s and they were about 100 years old, paid Mick Smith 1/- a tin.
Should have kept them

 

[William Sublette]

Thanks for the replies. I thought I found some online but when I went to check out it was Zelle or PayPal only so I didn’t order them. Might have to go with a matchlock if things keep going south !!!

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/88986

 

[Art Caputo]

I have caps from the late 70’s that still work fine….DN and Remington.

 

[Gordoncourtney]

What is the shelf life of #11 caps? I haven’t shot a percussion in 20 years but I have two. An in-line and a hawken reproduction. I’m thinking if the world goes to manure they might be my only options in the future and was thinking about sticking up just in case.

I bought some in 1964 they worked good as new last week I wish you well from London

 

[wiscoaster]

I can't think of a worse gun to bring to a SHTF scenario than a single shot muzzle loading rifle.

The bad guys aren't going to give up their auto-loaders.

Don't give up yours.

Well, I agree, but I can see where they're coming from, given the recent ammo shortage, and now Gov. Newsom's proposed 11% California state excise tax on ammo. If there's no more ammo, or it gets too expensive to buy, you can at least make your own black powder and cast your own balls and bullets.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I have some from the 70s that friends gave me when they passed, no telling how or where they were stored over the years. They work most of the time but are not as hot as a cap out of a new tin. When I pop a couple of caps before I load my rifle to go hunting, the old caps go "pop" and the new caps go off with a sharp "BANG", the difference is noticeable.