Ordered wrong caps...

[tonicbelly]

Hello, I recently made an order for my Pietta Colt Navy 1851 and purchased CCI #11 Magnum Percussion caps. I am not sure if those will work on that particular firearm but I wanted to post here and make sure before I ordered the Remington #10's.

Cabela's will not allow me to return the Caps even though they have not arrived to me yet. If they will not work on my cap n ball pistol, then do any of you have any suggestion of what I do with the 1,000 caps? I'm new to BP and I'm not quite sure!

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

[UtahHunting]

The #11's will work on your gun if they will stay on the nipple. They just won't fit quite as tight as a #10. I have used them without any issues although I prefer #10's.

[tonicbelly]

Thank you. Does the Magnum make any difference? I understand they burn hotter and provide a better ignition. I heard about crimping the nipples to make them a tighter fit. Have you done that with the 11's?

[UtahHunting]

Yes, crimping or pinching the caps should help keep them on. I have never used magnums so I can't really comment.

By the way, welcome to the world of black powder. I will warn you now, it becomes very addictive.

[59sharps]

another option. You can order nipples for the #11 caps.

[simonkenton]

I use CCI number 11 caps on my Pietta 1860 Army. They are slightly large, I just pinch them a little and they fit fine, they stay on with no problem.
I have left this revolver loaded, in a dresser drawer, for 3 years, and it fired fine.

By the way CCI makes some good caps. My brother came to visit, he hadn't fired his muzzleloaders in 30 years!
He brought a tin of CCI caps that he had bought in 1979.
I figured they were no good. We fired 5 cylinders, we got 100 per cent ignition with the old CCI caps.

[tonicbelly]

I will see if I need to get the nipples if I keep having problems with the caps but first I try out a tin of these caps.

And finally, could someone clarify if these magnum caps are safe to use on the pietta confederate colt navy? I dont want to ruin the nipples or anything with a cap that is too powerful or hot.

Thanks everyone for the quick replies.

[Mark whiz]

I use #11 Mags on my Pietta 1858 Remington all the time - never missed a "bang" and they've never fallen off....and that's without crimping them down.

[tonicbelly]

Great! Thank you! I will look forward to using this forums for any more questions I may have.

[darkgael]

#11 caps are all that I have ever used on my Pietta. No problems.
Pete

[mykeal]

"Magnum" caps are safe to use on your revolver. They do produce a larger quantity of hot gas than regular caps, but as for hotter temperatures - that data is highly suspect in my opinion. I've seen no evidence of "better ignition", whatever that is.

[madcratebuilder]

I've seen no evidence of "better ignition", whatever that is.

I have not seen any difference either.
I would keep your #11's, you well soon own a revolver to use them on. I buy both 10's and 11's in two brands, I have a few revolvers with different size nipples.

[robhof]

The difference in the mag caps is slight and they are best with the b/p substitutes like Pyrodex or 777, as they require a slightly hotter ignition, but they work fine with real b/p and don't cause excess pressure.

[tonicbelly]

I don't know where I got that term 'better ignition'. Must have been something I just assumed.

I am using Pyrodex powder. So that's good that these caps are good for b/p substitutes.

I am excited to be in the world of b/p. I bought the Confederate because of the price and hopefully if I am able to shoot regularly...then I will be more comfortable with buying a higher quality cap & ball pistol. As for now, it looks like I'm all set!

[Hawg Haggen]

Just don't use full charges with that brass frame or you'll be shopping for a new one much sooner than you think.

[tonicbelly]

20-22 grains should do it right? I understand that is what most people use in these brass frame .44 colt navies.

From what I understand though, it should last me years as long as I clean it and tighten it up after every shooting.

I plan on saving my money for a higher end C&B but for now, this is a good starting pistol. For the price...

Any advice you can give to lengthen the life of it?

[joelberg]

Yeah just pinch the caps they'll be fine.

[robhof]

Clean it thoroughly after every use, even with substitutes. Don't ever put up or wait a few days to clean, as the corrosive effects of b/p and caps will start to form. Use only vegetable or animal oils/grease as the gun oils will build deposits with b/p and subs. Pam works as a between use storage oil.

[madcratebuilder]

20-22 grains should do it right? I understand that is what most people use in these brass frame .44 colt navies.


That well work. I would keep loads 22grs or less. Try 16-18grs, it can just as much fun. Just be sure you are getting some compression on the powder.