Replica Arms Wesson Rifle.

[John May]

Hi all, I have just taken delivery of a very nice Replica Arms Wesson Rifle in .45 cal. I took it to the range yesterday and it shoots pretty well despite needing a good deep clean. It has a beryllium nipple (?) made to fit musket caps which I find a chore to use, does anyone have a similar rifle or know the correct size nipple thread on this gun?
I notice TOW can supply replacements to fit No 11 caps and I've got it out and tried to measure it but can't decide if it's metric or imperial thread as it's very close to both. With my gauges anyway!

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Usually people like musket caps as they’re bigger and easier to get ahold of.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Number 11 caps should perform quite fine with the proper nipple. Are you using black powder or a substitute. If you use a substitute powder, then a magnum cap may be of benefit.

The best way to determine the threads is to take that musket nlpple to a hardware store and use their thread gauges to determine the threads. You will have to be a bit careful and not force the nipple on the gauge.

Those musket caps get expensive and provide little benefit in performance other than being easy to handle. Do get a good caper. I like the Ted Cash oval capper.

 

[TFoley]

The rifle was originally designed to use musket caps - so why change something that is proven to work? The large charges often used in these iconic rifles needs a serious light-up that no #11 can deliver.

 

[Stantheman86]

I put a Musket nipple on my Pedersoli Missouri River Hawken , the more fire the better.

 

[John May]

Number 11 caps should perform quite fine with the proper nipple. Are you using black powder or a substitute. If you use a substitute powder, then a magnum cap may be of benefit.

The best way to determine the threads is to take that musket nlpple to a hardware store and use their thread gauges to determine the threads. You will have to be a bit careful and not force the nipple on the gauge.

Those musket caps get expensive and provide little benefit in performance other than being easy to handle. Do get a good caper. I like the Ted Cash oval capper.

I've got one of those Polish cappers made for No 11's, it's brilliant and I use No 11's for everything else I shoot so wanted to keep everything the same. I only use Black Powder, mostly Swiss. The gun has a very short barrel (24") so I am only using a light load at 25 metres with the occasional shoot at 50 metres. I have a set of thread gauges (Retired Mechanic) but it's almost too close to call between 5/16" x 18 tpi and 8mm x 1.5mm.

 

[John May]

The rifle was originally designed to use musket caps - so why change something that is proven to work? The large charges often used in these iconic rifles needs a serious light-up that no #11 can deliver.

It's a .45 with a really short barrel (24") and will only ever be used at 25/50 metres. I am currently using 25 grains of Swiss 2 which is grouping really well despite the nipple which is pretty worn. It needs to be changed and my idea was to get something that will use a No 11 cap. like all the other percussion guns in the cabinet!

 

[Cowboy]

Have a Zoli Zouave that I shoot using #11 caps. Bought the nipple from Track. Mine fires instantaneously with the #11’s.

Using standard #11 Remington caps. Haven’t experienced FTF’s or delays?

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[bang]

Same as Cowboy. Have Zouave and use #11 primers with Pyrodex "p" and no issues. Take the nipple to local hardware store and use their thread board to see what it is. TOW has very good application discription on their parts.
24" barrel. I'd use 50-70 gns behind a PRB. 28" 45 1:48 twist usually shoots good with 70.