I have often read the reason for using one or not using one is because of handling, and I am assume you all mean while hunting and loading. And that may be my problem I do not know for sure what you mean by "handling." Often fingers, even cold fingers are mentioned in the same paragraph.

In the field or at the range - I do not actually "handle" the cap. For each cap I have found a gadget (capper) that really works well for me on the inlines and/or sidelocks. I ASSUMED we all used cappers of some sort and there is where I might/must be wrong. The guy that first sparked an interest for me in shooting a ML had his caps in astrip of leather. He had punched holes then insterted the caps, he would put the leather and cap on the nipple them lift the leather off - I guess that is a capper - but he never really used his hands to handle the cap.

So back to the original question(s)

How do you "handle" caps?

Do you use a capper?

I know "curiosity got the cat" but I just wonder...

I use cappers for all the types of ignition I use (#11 and 209). I only touch them when loading the capper unless they fall off or something at the bench, but that never happens.

I use cappers for all the igntion systems. That's why handling them is not a real problem no matter what they are.

DITTO!