Percussion caps

[Atlast357]

One of my reloading calibers is muzzle loading black powder revolvers,
that's what got me into the brass cartridge stuffing powder and bullets
As was the situation with component shortage, now percussion caps are in short supply for us black powder shooters.
I have an ad running in WTB section, but wanted to see if anyone out there
might have some you are not using that could be available ?

[Divernhunter]

I have some. What number you looking for?

[meaty-btz]

You could always roll your own. The forumla is out there and can usually be cooked up with the proper safety precautions. I.E. fume control, flame control, and as long as you are not using Armstrong's mixture you should end up with a stable material. I would not use Armstrong's mixture unless you don't like your fingers. It remains impact sensitive even when in an emulsion. The other mixture when emulsified in an alcohol base can be safely packed into the percussion cap and let to dry where it becomes sensitive again.

By Weight:

Potassium Chlorate 50
antimony sulfide 27
sulfur 9
sodium bicarb 1 (used as an sacrificial agent to extend shelf life)
powdered glass (silicate) 12
shellac 2

use denatured alcohol to emulsify the mixture and pack into a metal cap, let dry. In this day and age it seems to behoove people to know how to make everything from scratch because I have a feeling these shortages may never fully go away at this point. Black Powder is fun to make as well.

Note this "percussion cap" mixture can be used in smokeless primers and it usually works out well enough.

[Atlast357]

I have some. What number you looking for?

Would like to have #10 for my 1858 Remington.

Send me a PM let me know .Thanks

[Swagman00]

You could always roll your own. The forumla is out there and can usually be cooked up with the proper safety precautions. I.E. fume control, flame control, and as long as you are not using Armstrong's mixture you should end up with a stable material. I would not use Armstrong's mixture unless you don't like your fingers. It remains impact sensitive even when in an emulsion. The other mixture when emulsified in an alcohol base can be safely packed into the percussion cap and let to dry where it becomes sensitive again.

By Weight:

Potassium Chlorate 50
antimony sulfide 27
sulfur 9
sodium bicarb 1 (used as an sacrificial agent to extend shelf life)
powdered glass (silicate) 12
shellac 2

use denatured alcohol to emulsify the mixture and pack into a metal cap, let dry. In this day and age it seems to behoove people to know how to make everything from scratch because I have a feeling these shortages may never fully go away at this point. Black Powder is fun to make as well.

Note this "percussion cap" mixture can be used in smokeless primers and it usually works out well enough.

Do you think this can work for homemade berdan primers?

Just thinking out of the box. Not feeling daring.

[Atlast357]

Where would you get empty caps to load the solution?

[CSACANNONEER]

Someplace, I have dies to make my own caps from aluminum cans.

[Atlast357]

Could that die be called Tap-O-Cap or something like that ?

[CSACANNONEER]

Could that die be called Tap-O-Cap or something like that ?

To be honest, I don't know what it's called. I picked it up in a bunch of stuff for free. I've never used it because, I have a couple rolls of caps right now. But, for SHTF reasons, I have no desire to part with it.

[meaty-btz]

Yup, it is called Tap-o-Cap. Sort of similar to the Free-chex. Makes caps out of aluminum cans.

@swagman.. never tried it. The real essence of it boils down to.. does it create enough flame to ignite the powdercharge without "overdoing it". If the answer is yes, it will work. I would gather that the answer is indeed, yes.

Remember you can load a 9mm cartridge with 4F BP and it will barely cycle the slide in a glock but the round will be accurate. The point is that firearms are surprisingly simple, as long as you are not "overcharging" and "over pressuring" they will generally function quite well on a variety of powder and primer types. The goal with our boutique powders and manufactured primers is consistent safety. However in SHTF, yes, your 9mm can work with 4F BP.

Oh and for potassium Chlorate the hard way:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JtxQT7aVDeg

Amazon delivers the Antimony Sulfide (III) and sulfur

http://www.amazon.com/ANTIMONY-TRISULFIDE--325-mesh/dp/B007FMLQ9A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377638173&sr=8-1&keywords=antimony+trisulfide

http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Jacket-Pure-Sulfur-Powder/dp/B005H0WA2O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1377638247&sr=8-3&keywords=sulfur

I am pretty sure you can get the shellac and the powdered glass/silicate and the sodium bicarb on your own.