Breaking Nipples
 

Was hoping someone could help with a problem. I just recieved a new Traditions Hawken .54 cal percussion rifle. I shot approx 10 rounds through it today. I broke 2 nipples. They basically split in half.

I am using 80 grains of 777 ff. By the way it shoots great! My first thought was that the hammer spring might be too tight, but dont really understand what the issue is.

I also have a traditions Kentucky pistol .50 cal it seems to have a stiffer hammer cock, but I have had no problem with breaking nipples on this gun. Any help would be great!

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

First off welcome to the forum. It is good to have you here.

Breaking nipple by splitting in half.. WOW!! In all my years of shooting, I have never had that happen. Does the hammer spring feel really strong? Were these old nipples? If the hammer off center? Did the hammer try to reset itself when it did fire? Were the caps going off properly? Were you having misfires?

First thing I would do is get a Stainless Steel Hot shot nipple and try that again. If it happens again, then contact Traditions and tell them about it.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Thanks for the welcome. I am new to black powder shooting. On an impulse I bought a kentucky pistol kit and put it together within a week. Now I am hooked!

The Hawken is new first outing today. No miss fires even when breaking the nipple. The hammer looks to be center over the nipple. Within 5 shots I broke the new nipple that came with the Hawken. I pulled the nipple from my pistol (has had maybe 30 rounds trouble free through it) and put it on the hawken. Same thing after 5-8 rounds. The nipple will split down to bolt section. It does not reset the hammer and the cap stays on the nipple. I am using #11 cci caps.

The hammer pull doesnt seem extreem to me, but I am certain it could reliably ignite the cap with much less force. Is there an easy way to adjust the tension on the hammer spring. It is the garden variety side lock.

And thanks for reading my post! Looking forward to reading more here.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Sounds like some weak nipples to me. Stainless steel hotshot, or a stainless steel spitfire should fix the problem i would think.

You can also order a weaker mainspring from www.cainsoutdoor.com Look under the cva mountain rifle list of parts.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Yeah that is what I am going to do. I love this Hawken, it shoots perfect! So just putting on better nipples sounds like the best fix.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Where did you get a .54 traditions hawken? All i can ever find are the .50s

What are you shooting? conical, Patched round ball or sabot?

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

I'd guess either the nipple or the hammer face. The rifle lock usually has a bit more force than a pistol lock, but the extra power shouldn't be a problem. The hammer face might not be "square" and could be hitting the nipple face one one side instead of evenly distributing the force, but I would think it would damage the soft copper cap before it broke a nipple???? If it were my gun, I'd get a couple quality nipples and try again.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

In all my years of repairing and shooting I have never seen a nipple split vertically [I have seen a few break horizonally, at a guess I would say you have gotten a hold of some that were harden to the point that they were brittle. I would suggest the "Uncle Mikes" or Hot Shot which are high enough quality to be consistant, there are some around that are made in certain countries that are very inconsistant in hardness. Lee

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

I bought it at Sportsmans wherehouse for $229.00. That is the best price I have seen anywhere! I shoot a patched ball.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Would this be a Tradition's St. Louis Hawkins? They also make a Woodsman Hawkins which is a much better grade rifle... Get the hot shot nipple and it will solve your problems. I shoot a couple of them Hawkins and they are good shooters. Although mine like a STIFF load.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Ditch the triple 7 too. Go with Pyrodex P or Pyrodex RS. 80 grains of triple 7 tells me that the accuracy is horrible:D Its burning up your patches and theres no way you're getting the accuracy that you should be getting.

I used 60 grains triple 7 and patched roundball and my patches were burned and shredded badly and the accuracy sucks big time.

You did get a great price on that rifle, especially with a .54!

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Granted, in some cases Triple Se7en will smoke a patch. All you need do is add a bore button. I have a CVA Mountain Stalker in .54 caliber that with 80 grains of Triple Se7en 2f, a wonder wad, and a patched roundball it will shoot groups all day. Also works great on deer. It will drive that ball right through them. Good luck with your rifle.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Mine is the Traditions Woodsman Hawkin. I am going to pick up those new nipples today. Not sure what you ean by a stiff load.......just more powder?

I was using 80 grains 777 FFg was siting in the rifle at 50 yards. All my shots were right about 4" and I was working on adjusting the sights when the last nipple broke.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

80 grains of Triple Se7en is a stiff load. If you were shooting Pyrodex you would have to load over 90 grains of powder to get the same effect. I have two of the Woodsman, both in .50 caliber. A percussion cap and a flintlock. Both are excellent rifles with beautiful wood. You did get an excellent deal on that rifle...

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Its funny you say that.....I saw a smoldering pile in the grass. It was what was left of my patch burning up! I was out with my boys too so it was not a serious test for the gun. We were more out just having some fun.

I need to get to the range and really work on my loads and sights.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Never used a wonder wad. Is there diff thicknesses or are they all the same? I want to at least shoot up the 777 I have now. Not planning on going hunting this season so have lots of time to get familliar with the rifle and loads.

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Wonder wads can be purchased, made or substituted with stuff like corn meal. Try dumping the powder. Tap the rifle on your toe to level the load. Then add 20 grains of cornmeal down the barrel and tap lightly again. Now load the patch and ball. The patch will look brand new, and the corn meal will help keep the fowling down.

If you have a 1/2 hollow hole punch, go to the lumber yard and get some construction grade wool felt strips. This is the stuff that they pack around doors and windows to weather proof them. Then knock out some of the 1/2 buttons with the hollow hole punch. Put a little bore butter on them, or use with without lube, between the patched ball and the powder and it will solve the burning patch problem. Also many times you get better accuracy...

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Its easier to just switch powder. Triple 7 isnt exactly all that great. Ive stopped using it due to being on perfect, then a couple weeks go by and its way off. Powder just doesnt hold anything when you put pyrodex next to it.

4" groups @ 50 yards? Did i read that correctly?

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

I am going to try that. I tell you I am hooked on this gun! I cant wait to get it back out! I also saw a smaller .36 cal traditional rifle by traditions that would be great for rabbit hunting. Dont remember the model though.

Thanks for all the info!

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

traditions crocket?
You did good on that rifle, for that prices they are hard to pass up. You could also call traditions and see if they make a .54 flintlock barrel and a lock for it. Just swap'em out and have a sidelock and a flintlock!

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

I am not married to any powder. I will certainly try pirodex. I have a pound of both FF FFF 777. So I want to be able to shoot through that as well. I am actually looking forward to load development. From what I have been reading, it seems that every shooter settles on something a little different that works well in their gun. I think that is another appeal for me with Black Powder!

RE: Breaking Nipples
 

Well I believe I can actually order from sportsmans werehouse. These guys prices are excellent! I also have my eye on the colt 1851 revolver steel frame. They want $170 for that. 44 cal