I bought some Platinum line nipples. The first two times I took them out I got wicked hang fires with them. So I decided to see if there was a difference in hole size. In fact the holes in the Platinum lined nipples from Buffalo arms here in Idaho are almost 1/2 the size or less than that of a factory Hot shot nipple. I made the decision to drill the hole to match a new in box Hot Shot nipple. So today I took my 45 out to test it. And I tested a new target.

I have several targets that are a rectangle shape, weight and hardness are different.
I wanted one that was a little different. This one is mild steel but it is a piece that was cut out of a steel pipe. So this one is dished. I was thinking that the bullets would "slip" off the steel easier. My 45 uses harder lead. They run about 8 to 8.5 hard. They are paper patched and sized.
This target is 14" tall, and 10" wide. My thought was I wanted the target to be the size of the lungs on a deer.

I shot at 100 150 and 200 yards with my shooting sticks.

Opening the nipple up to the hot shot size hole was a big improvement. No hang fire and the accuracy was good. I didn't test over a bench but I was happy with how it shot. I am curious why they elected to put such a small hole in the nipple. I also wonder if anyone else has had problems with the nipples from Buffalo Arms?

The target was beat pretty hard with the hardened bullets. The shape of the target didn't help. Those bullets hit with a LOT of energy are just destructive.

If you're using the sub powders like t7 thats the hang fire issue. Goex, swiss, OE would most likely fire perfectly.

I used to be a hot shot fan, but over time, to many hang fires for me. I use the Knight Red Hot which has been perfect with all powders.

Have you ever tried platinum lined nipples?

no,not at $60 a pop.

After doing some hole size testing I have found out some interesting things about the hole sizes.


A new nipple installed in green mountain barrel that came from the factory NEVER shot .034
New Hot Shot nipple Uncle Mikes package, .034
New Hot shot Nipple Thompson Center Package, .034
New Hot Shot nipple Track of the wolf package, .026

I have never shot anything but Hot Shots from TC. That is what the local Sportsmans warehouse used to stock. For about the last three years they have not carried them. I went online to get more and picked up some here and there. Then I decided to order from track of the wolf.
I wish I would have measured the actual hole that was in the Buffalo arms platinum lined nipple. But I am being told it is .026

I have been using Pyrodex P for a very long time around 10 + years. The TC hot Shots have always went bang every time no issues. From what I am seeing I have been using a nipple hole size of .034 with the pyrodex P. Maybe the P won't work with the .026 Interesting seeing those numbers.

Do you have the ability to measure the hole in a new one from Knight?

I dont have an exact size but judging from the .028" drill bit I do have, its around .032 to .034"

I am betting it is .034 that makes sense.

Hello Ron,


Yea, with a set of good quality pin gauges you could find the size quickly. Other than that, if there's a local tool and die shop that has an Optical Comparator, they could put one of the nipples on that and dial it in then tell you the exact size.


BPS