Anyone know where I can get a cap remover. I am now using my knife to remove #11 percussion caps after hunting but the niple is getting nicked up. I throght I saw a cap remover for sale somewhere but can't remember where.

I personally haven't seen a tool for that purpose. I have a small pair of handforged pliers that I use when that happens.
Now, what I usually have trouble with is the expanded cap being stuck in the "cup" of the hammer! Usually the point of my patch knife works to clear that.

redwood when i used to shoot coplock rifles i used to have the same problem i solved it by takeing a fine tooth`d file, and would very gently run it around the nipple untill i could get the cap to slid on and off easly, but you must do it evenly and not be agressive about it.
or you can also use a fine grit sandpaper.
alot of the times i found the reason the cap was sticking on the nipple was becouse the nipple`s top was begining to musroom from repeated blow`s from the hammer.

I use my knife to but I use the handle.steel to steel will in most cases lead to the nipple being buggered up somewhat.I also use my thumb nail,if the rifle wasnt fired most always removes the cap.

By the time a nipple is battered to the point of making it difficult to remove a cap it needs to be replaced. Some new nipples are so roughly made they are difficult to remove a cap from. In that case, the nipple needs to be polished or replaced.

A cap remover is a tool that should never be needed, I've been shooting muzzleloaders since about 1967 and I've never seen or even heard of one.

If removing a cap with a knife damages the nipple the problem is likely one of two things, A: The metal the nipple is made of is far too soft, or B: The person doing the removing is going after it far too agressively.

Your mileage may, of course, vary.

Three Hawks

As others have pointed out, you really shouldn't be having this problem. If you do, pliers work.
But, do get a new nipple and make sure you are using the right size caps. Sizes of caps can vary from brand to brand, try changing brands.
When you get a new nipple get one of those with the little holes on the side (name slips my mind, someone help). Those are designed to kinda blow out the sides of the cap for easy removal.

Uncle Mike HOTSHOT blows out the side and increases your chance of flying cap parts.OH! I use them!!!!!!! with glasses!!!!! I figure by the time the nipple is mushroomed enough too make it difficult to remove the cap,it would be difficult to put the cap on the nipple!!!!!!!!I push the cap on tight enough to help keep it water resistant,but like was pointed out,different caps/nipples will marry up better than others.

Please allow me to step in here with an assumption on this subject. I'm going to guess that Redwood is talking about removing an unfired cap. Be careful! I once knew a fellow who was trying pull the caps from unfired loads in a revolver's cylinder. He had removed the cylinder from the revolver's frame and was pulling the caps with a pair of pliers. Yes, one of the caps fired, sending the .44 caliber ball through his hand. To say that he was enlightened is putting it very mildly. The unfired caps should be removeable from the nipple with your fingers. Dressing down a battered nipple with a small file can be a big help, I've done that too. Pushing the cap off of the nipple with a knife blade, working only from the bottom of the cap's skirt, will do if there is no other way. Gripping the cap with pliers can not be recommended. The real answer is to get the nipple fixed or get a new nipple. Shoot sharp's the word, Mike

A friend gave me a really neat miniature pair of hand made pinchers that he recovered from an old hunting bag...they were for cap removal we speculated...and stock pins, or even slivers and thorns from the dogs paw if needed...but we are only guessing.
TCA

Thanks to everyone for your input.

Cap removers certainly exist. My wife uses one so she won't break her nails. After a hunt she removes the unfired cap, puts it back in the capper and saves it. It is safe, handy, and economical.

They look like a tiny wad punch, sort of, and we got ours from Thompson-Center I think. Here is a vender that has it but says it is discontinues, but may have some in stock.

http://muzzleloadingandmore.co...20supplies/index.htm

Agree with Mike be careful decapping. This is a problem when using German caps on u.s. #11 nipples. The metric are little tighter.

Removing caps from loaded guns is very dangerous.
First once capped its impossible to make a percussion firearm "safe" by removing the cap.
ANY small amount of detonating compound left on the nipple may fire the gun with just a little friction from setting the hammer on the nipple or the hammer moving slightly when on the nipple. The compound is both shock AND friction sensitive. Don't ask how I figured this out during my "formative years".

The cap is *supposed* to be a pres fit on the nipple. This waterproofs the cap.
Caps that have misfired are even more dangerous to remove. They have been known to fire when being removed after repeated "snaps" failed to set them off. This scatters the compound around and a scrape with a knife blade or a pair of pliers can be the initiator.

If you must remove a cap be VERY sure as to where the gun is pointed.
A friend ended up getting stitches from attempting to remove a "dud" cap from a percussion revolver about 30 years ago.

So BE CAREFUL. Be very very careful.

Dan

Agree with all on the danger of removing a cap on a loaded gun. My 'technique' was to use a small knife pressed along the side and sorta 'unscrew' the cap from the nipple. This was done observing all safety precautions. e.g. having muzzle pointing downrange or other safe direction. I never had an unexpected boom, but stayed cognizant that it can happen.

This has been very enlightening. I never dreamed there was any danger after you pulled the cap off the nipple, nor that taking it off was dangerous at all. Thanks for filling me in.

I've seen "cap remover tools" hanging on the rack with other ml paraphernalia in gun shops from time to time. They looked a little like a miniature claw hammer claw. I think it "may" have also been a combination tool as well. I think it was from Traditions or maybe T/C. They looked handy but I never felt the need for one. I shoot mostly flintlocks, anyway.

I usually use an old nipple pick that the point is broken off of...its still shapr enough to kinda get under the edge but dull enough not to really damage the nipple...plus it makes diggin that cap out of the hammer cup easier too...First time my son fired his .50 Hawken, the side of the nipple, just a fraction, blew out and corkscrewed a long piece of cap into the top of his thumb...took a while to unscrew it from there too...no, he wasn't a happy camper!