My old CVA .45 Kentucky Rifle has poor reliability of powder ignition in cold weather. I use fffg and the #11 caps. I want to increase cold weather ignition and have thought to use some initial ffffg then top up to desired total load with fffg, but also wonder if the percussion cap nipple can be replaced with one for a larger, hotter cap (#209 ??),even if re-tapping the barrel for a different nipple thread is needed. Anyone done that? Thoughts?
cold weather percussion cap ignition
- Thread starter canthitathing
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I am not aware of any 209 ignition system that is not a closed breech - I am thinking there is a lot more "fire" going forward, but also lot more "push" coming backwards, compared to a percussion cap.
What brand of #11 caps do you use? I generally use CCI # 11 caps, and have had no problems to date. But, some rifles do seem to offer more reliable ignition with Remington caps. It is possible yours may be one of them. Also, have you checked your nipple's flash hole? If you are using the rifle's original nipple, the flash hole may have enlarged, over time/use. So the flame is no longer a concentrated jet, into the main charge. Another option: swap out your current percussion nipple, with one that uses musket caps. There is a nipple replacement available for percussion rifles like yours. Its called the 'Mag Spark'. Made by Warren Custom Outdoor in Warren, OH, USA. These nipples are designed to use any 209 shotshell primer. If interested, the website is: warrencustomoutdoor.com. E-mail: phil@warrencustomoutdoor.com. Ph: 330-307-0166. May be worth a look.
There is another product called: Accra Shot primer adapter. This one took a small rifle primer. Have seen this item listed on e-bay.
Another cause might be your hammer spring. it may have weakened over time, so that the hammer isn't falling with enough force to reliably ignite the caps. Lastly: are the caps seating fully onto the nipple? This can cause unreliable ignition. Many percussion revolver shooters will often use a small dowel, or wooden clothes pin, to gently seat the cap fully onto the nipple. I do this with percussion rifles, too. Reliable ignition, every time. Caution: Don't seat caps with your thumb! Ask me how I know this is a bad idea!
Hope some of this is useful.
There is another product called: Accra Shot primer adapter. This one took a small rifle primer. Have seen this item listed on e-bay.
Another cause might be your hammer spring. it may have weakened over time, so that the hammer isn't falling with enough force to reliably ignite the caps. Lastly: are the caps seating fully onto the nipple? This can cause unreliable ignition. Many percussion revolver shooters will often use a small dowel, or wooden clothes pin, to gently seat the cap fully onto the nipple. I do this with percussion rifles, too. Reliable ignition, every time. Caution: Don't seat caps with your thumb! Ask me how I know this is a bad idea!
Hope some of this is useful.
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vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
There are nipple/ignition systems that replace the #11 with rifle primers. Not sure about 209's fitting in the same space.
Sorry not to have more specific information but I've seen them on guns in the EE and a couple places.
Sorry not to have more specific information but I've seen them on guns in the EE and a couple places.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
But what Chuck suggested here is a very reasonable solution to your problem
In a well stocked sporting/hunting goods store, musket caps are a relatively easy find in the black powder section. 209 primers, not so much.
Make sure your nipple is still good and switch to CCI Magnum #11 caps as suggested above. If that doesn't work then there is an issue with some obstruction between the nipple and powder charge in the barrel. I have never noted any more difficulty with ignition in cold vs summer weather if the system is clean. If the cap detonates you should get a bang. 209's are not an option for a conventional percussion gun and you would need to change the hammer and possibly the mainspring to use musket caps.
Thanks everyone for the replies, especially McKr for your thoroughness. I like the Mag-Spark conversion that is available in 6.1mm thread for CVA and "captures" the 209 primer (although some say it's a pita) as I do mostly still-hunting and have lost #11 primers in the past pushing through brush, etc. The Accra-shot doesn't appear to come in 6.1mm, only 6.75 from my initial scan of info.
