1816 Contract Musket Nipple Size

[mb3]

What size nipple was used on the 1816 Contract muskets with the Belgian Cone Conversion?

[RaiderANV]

Thinking Lodgewood has them 262-473-5444

[mb3]

I want to try to clean out the threads in the breach so, I guess I was looking more for the actual size and thread count.

[RaiderANV]

That I don't remember...... only remember removing a broken one & replacing it there.

[mb3]

Thank you for the information. I have a nipple on order. I will wait for it to arrive and measure the nipple when it arrives. The nipple on my musket also broke but, the threads and the metal around the nipple look good. I just want to chase them a bit to clean 'em up.

[mb3]

I noticed on the TOW site they list a nipple for original muskets as 5/16 x 24 (.315). Is the .315 the length of the threaded portion?

[mb3]

I finally got around to removing the broken nipple on my 1816 musket. It came out pretty easy using a heat gun, PB Blaster and a easy out. When I pulled her I was happy to see the threads on the barrel were perfect and sharp. The nipple I got from Lodgewood fit perfectly and locked up solid. I measured the barrel diameter and it came out to .6848, so I plan on using either .662 or .672 round ball with a .010 lubed patch. I know this will be pretty loose but the barrel on this rifle isnt perfectly smooth, it has a few small pits in it, and I anticipate there being some fouling. I was going to use a light load starting at 40 gr FF. Does this sound like a good just for fun load?

[mb3]

Took her to the range today and fired a few shots, and all went well. I Started with some lead shot wrapped in parcel paper with a 40 gr charge of Goex FF. That went well so I switched to the .010 lubed patch, .662 ball and 55 gr FFG. Nice mild load but I didn't want to stress the musket out. We shot out to 25 yards and were able to keep the shots on a head target (8.5 x 11). I was pretty happy with the way the musket felt, and the accuracy given the lack of sights. I have shot several reproduction muskets and had heard the originals had a better feel to them, I can now say that is correct. While I enjoy shooting my reproduction muskets, and will continue to shoot them in the future, my 1835 shot very well and has a solid feel to it. I am a little worried about breaking the original main spring so I am going to replace it with a reproduction spring to preserve the original. Have any of you guys shooting original rifles done this?