cap crimping

[Navy Six]

I have several hundred older Remington #11 caps(green label tin, 1997) that work great but are too large for all of my guns equipped with Slix-Shot nipples. They literally fall right off. In this current issue of HANDLOADER magazine(#329), Terry Wieland wrote a black powder oriented article in which he complains about cap to nipple fit and describes placing a too large cap on a .125(1/8) hex wrench and squeezing it with needle nose pliers as using finger pressure caused the cap to flatten too much.  As I hated to waste my older Remington #11's, I tried Mr. Wieland's method  but used a wire stripper to put two light crimps on the caps--one near the open end and one at the other. Went to the range with an Uberti Walker and Dragoon and 50 crimped caps. They worked perfectly and placing them on the Slix Shots felt like newer Remington #10's--snug and a little resistance while sliding on. I am aware 'pinching" nipples to fit is not a good idea but this method seemed to work. I will continue to experiment as I have other caps(RWS 1075) that are also a bit large for the Slix Shots. I don't believe these "modified" caps will work well in a capper, but I didn't use one so am not sure.

[Blackpowder Burn]

Slix Shot nipples are designed specifically for Remington No. 10 caps according to my readings.  I know they work well, as I've used this combination for years.  Remington No. 11's are the same dimensionally as No. 10's, except that they have a shorter skirt.  Since the nipples have a taper, the longer skirts engage the wider portion of the nipple and grip it securely.  The shorter No. 11's aren't long enough to engage the tapering nipple securely enough to stay in place.

I have read in a place or two that CCI No. 11's work pretty well on Slix Shot nipples, but haven't tried them.

[Coffinmaker]

  Six   

I'm a Cap Gun Shooter.  A serious Cap Gun Shooter.  I DO NOT believe nor indorse "Make-Do" for Caps.  Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.  At least be wearing Safety Glasses when your crimping caps.  They are, after all, some explosive and exploding into your face wouldn't be . . . "FUN"

There is also some Rube over a another forum suggesting crimping CCI Caps to work beyond their intended duty.  Basically because he's too cheap to do it right.  Care should be taken.

[Professor Marvel]

  Six   

I'm a Cap Gun Shooter.  A serious Cap Gun Shooter.  I DO NOT believe nor indorse "Make-Do" for Caps.  Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.  At least be wearing Safety Glasses when your crimping caps.  They are, after all, some explosive and exploding into your face wouldn't be . . . "FUN"

There is also some Rube over a another forum suggesting crimping CCI Caps to work beyond their intended duty.  Basically because he's too cheap to do it right.  Care should be taken.

I agree With Herr Coffin!

it is not that hard to buy or modify your Percussion Cones ( ie nipples) to exactly fit your Percussion Caps.
find the right Cones, and you are there.

If one must modify their Cones, A good caliper, an electric drill and a fine swiss file are all that is needed.
The method  has been posted elsewhere, and our prior member Mako had posted detailed images and instructions.
I will try to go find where those  posts are hiding...

yhs
prof amrvel

[Crow Choker]

Darksider Section.--- The Dark Arts.---- Cap Gun Primer: Correct Cone Length by Mako  (around 3/4 down the page)   
Me thinks is what you may be referring to! 

[Crow Choker]

I can understand what Navy Six is talking about with the older #11 Remington's. I used to use them with my TC Hawken Rifle, they fit well on the TC nipple, but were loose on my old EMF 51 Navy 44. Had to pinch everyone of them it seems to stay on and that sometimes didn't work. This was back in the day before Rem 10's were around and basically any nipples except for what the Italian factories produced at least to my knowledge and what was available in my area. After my large supply of some Italian caps in a red plastic container (can't recall the brand) were exhausted that I had bought a large supply of once were used up, the Rem #11's were the go to cap. I dunno'-squeezing percussion caps could be an iffy thing with less than desirable results!

Come after 2000 (year) when Remington and CCI started producing assorted size caps (at least to my knowledge and experience) and better nipples were available, I haven't had a problem with caps staying on. I use Rem #10's all the time, although I have tried Rem 11's (newer production) with good results. As Blackpowder Burn posted, the Rem 11's have the same internal dimension, but a shorter skirt and don't fit down as far as Rem 10's. CCI #11's I've tried and they do work almost as well as Rem 10's (have close dimensions to the Rem 10), but CCI #10's are way to tight. I've never been able to get them to seat on any nipples. I did get some RWS 1075's a while back, but have only used them a few times, but didn't have any problem with them I can recall. The "Cap Gun Primer" that Mako posted some time back is an informative and good read. Recommend it highly ifin ya never have read it or need a refresher. Miss his posts and knowledge.

[Navy Six]

I frequently refer back to Mako's work on cap dimensions, it is great material. With the uncertainty of Remington's current cap production, I just wanted to save my stash of #10's for match purposes and was hoping to put the old #11's to some use.

[Pettifogger]

As soon as someone recommends pinching caps as a solution to poorly fitting caps my eyes glaze over.  If someone makes this recommedation it is time to find a new BP mentor.  Right now this is almost becoming a moot point as I have not seen any Remington caps for sale in a long time and it is unclear if the people that bought Remington's assets will ever make them again.  Makes me wish I had not sold 20,000 of them at last year's Winter Range swap meet.  What I have been doing for quite a while on my Ruger ROA's with Slix nipples is shoot the first two or three stages with #10s.  Then I switch to #11s.  Makes it easier to seat caps on dirty nipples.  (Keep your minds out of the gutters.) 

[Montana Slim]

I have a unique, repeatable method of crimping caps that does not risk damaging the priming mix, not dangerous (provided your not Barney Fife). I use a "multi-tool" pliers (square end needle nose). Insert pliers end to "grip" a wall section of the cap, gently squeeze. This creates a small flat on the side of the cap. Use a small dowel to fully seat cap on nipple. I can crimp a tin of caps in advance, which saves time. Sure fire way to make do with what's at hand.

[Coffinmaker]

  PLUS ONE for Pettifogger   

My aversion to pinching/crimping/squashing of Caps appears to be becoming moot.  There aren't a whole lot of Caps of ANY sort out there right now.

[Professor Marvel]

Ok.
if there aer no caps to be found, and yours are too large, a guy posted "somewhere" how to gently swage the tiny things
by running them through a tiny socket with a tiny dowel.
I'll see if I can find it.

prf mvl