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Posted: 8/11/2026 10:46:43 PM EDT
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We are looking at doing a wild hog hunt in Texas next year. We will be using high powered rifles. My nephew (14 years old) want to carry his Uberti Remington Army Cap & Ball for backup. I don't know that it is necessary or practical but he insists. He is an amazing shot with it so I figure what the hell. What is the very best black powder or black powder substitute to use in cap & ball revolvers for hunting? Also what charge do you recommend using with the recommended powder? We will probably use round balls. Also what type of nipples do you recommend to minimize cap jams? Thanks! |
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Tripple 7 FFFG 30 grains “ caps (such as Remington #10 or CCI #10) are factory-recommended and typically provide the best snug fit on stock Italian nipples. However, cap fit can vary by brand and specific nipple tolerances, with many shooters successfully using #11 caps or upgrading to aftermarket nipples.” Nipples |
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That would be awesome if he were to dispatch a hog or two with his BP pistol. Then again, I’m super retro at times.  1860s; no pix of my New Model Armys.
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I wanted a mission, and for my sins, they gave me one.
No rules today, sport…just orders.
It’s not about how many people you kill, it’s about how many you save.
No rules today, sport…just orders.
It’s not about how many people you kill, it’s about how many you save.
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@wvfarrier Never, ever, never use smokeless powder in a muzzleloader designed for black powder!! Do not recommend others here to do it. We've all heard of people doing it. But those guns are not designed for smokeless powder. What was posted here is a recipe for disaster. Idk if you were being cheeky or genuinely ignoring all safety rules for black powder firearms but do not post again recommending smokeless powder for an antique design. Modern guns engineered for smokeless powder should be shot with load data from the manufacturer. Consider this a verbal warning.-bodybagger |
| Op I have a few of this model. I recommend real black powder over pyrodex especially if I'm going after something fairly dangerous like wild hogs. If he's an amazing shot with it then what's he been shooting load wise? The max you can probably get in there with a felt wad under the bullet is probably 30 grains or so. If you want to go old school and seat the ball right on the powder and seal the cylinder with grease you might get 35 grains. Use some bore butter instead of shortning or lard because bore butter has beeswax that will hold up better in the heat. |
I think one of the major problems with America today is not enough families sit down to a big plate of squirrels momma just fried up.
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Here is a DYI mod that I have heard people say it keeps the caps on the nipple before and after shots fired. The plastic tubing used to hold percussion caps onto the nipples of muzzleloading revolvers is commonly called a Cap Keeper or Cap Guard.Black powder shooters frequently use DIY or commercial versions of this tubing to keep loose caps securely seated, prevent them from falling off into the revolver's action (which causes jams), and seal out moisture.Sizing and Materials if you are looking to purchase or make your own, the standard materials used include:Aquarium Air Line Tubing: Ordinary clear vinyl, silicone, or rubber aquarium tubing is the most common DIY choice.Dimensions: Standard 1/4-inch Outer Diameter (OD) with roughly 0.170-inch Inner Diameter (ID) fits tightly over standard #10 and #11 percussion revolver nipples.Commercial Options: Premade versions are molded from flexible TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) or silicone. They are often sold on platforms like eBay under terms like "Percussion Cap Keepers".Alternative Primer ModificationThis exact tubing strategy (specifically 1/4" OD vinyl tubing) is also used by shooters to adapt small pistol primers to function as improvised percussion caps when regular #10 or #11 caps are facing shortages. The tubing holds the primer tightly against the nipple cone. |
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Originally Posted By Specter1975: Ok so 30 grains of real black powder verses a substitute like Hogdon 777? I have seen the splixshot nipples. That would be a cheap upgrade. Any particular brand of black powder that is best? Swiss 3F is the gold standard for this appication. Schutzen 3F is fine but a bit slower and dirtier. Goex 3F, if you can find it, works fine. |
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I've been shooting BP for a couple of years and have used Swiss and Scheutzen. Ultrasonic cleaner is absolutely the trick for cleaning. I bought one big enough to do a Remington diagonally with the Butt sticking out a bit. Dismounted Colt style guns are much easier. Slix shot nipples are nice but, not magic. Track of the wolf stainless nipples are a good quality choice at a lower price. Use a dowel or half clothespin to really press home the nipples A .454 or .457 round ball over 30 grains of fffg should do the trick. Homemade lube of bees wax cut with coconut oil is good over the balls to seal the chambers and lube the arbor. Attached File |
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