What size percussion caps do you use?

The owner's manual will tell you which caps to use. Depending on the manufacturer, most revolvers use the smaller #10 cap. The #11 cap will fit but is subject to coming off the nipple and causing the cylinder to jam. Since you won't be using your revolver in any gun fights (I hope), the problem is a minor but quite bothersome one. If the cap comes off the nipple and jams the cylinder, all you have to do is to pick the cap out which will free up the cylinder or remove the cylinder and dump out the loose cap.

Since #10 caps are readily available, you are better off using them if they are the ones specified by the owner's manual.

Percussion Caps 10

10 Percussion Caps

This Site Might Help You.

RE:

What size percussion caps do you use?

I am about to order an 1858 Remington New Army .44 Caliber. I've seen mixed reviews about whether to use #10 or #11 caps. Which is better to use for that gun? Because Cabela's does not say what it takes.

I had 2 revolvers a .36 and a ruger .45 and they both took #11 caps. This 1858 New Army takes #10 caps tho.

Nipples may be a little different dimensionally -gun to gun.

Most BP revolvers will use 10 or 11's... and you may find that the nipples currently installed on your individual pistol prefer one size versus the other.

I dont recall ever messing with a BP revlolver that didnt need the cap pinched a little bit to keep in on the nipple

I have a Remington 1858 repro, and I use # 11 caps as that's what I have. I believe that # 10s are a better fit, but 11s work well if you bend them a bit.

If the documentation says that is takes number 10, that's all you should use, or you will get chain fires. If you can't find out from Cabela's in advance of ordering the gun, contact the gun mfg., or wait until the gun arrives to go get some caps.

Matt, # 10 percussion caps are used on revolvers, generally. #11 caps are used on rifles such as Hawkens. And musket caps are used on.....well......muskets! Hope this helps you.

Leonard Parker and Mike Roberts posted the same question. You should read their answers side by side.