Black powder percussion caps

[bucnball]

I have a few tins of #10 and #11 percussion caps..I can't see any difference in their size-some of the #10's have a red colored primer and others (made by another company) have a green tinted primer. The # 11's are various as well. Though some of the 11's claim to be "magnum power". The Remington #11's are green / the Winchester # 11's are red. Is this normal ? 

[Darrell]

From an old Colt Industries pamphlet:
"Percussion caps are now made in sizes from nine to thirteen. Ten and eleven are the best numbers for the small and medium-sized arms, and twelve for the larger sizes, although, as different-sized nipples are sometimes met in specimens of the same model, no hard and fast rule can be given. It is better to have caps slightly too large than too small, as large caps can be pinched together at the bottom enough so they will stay on the nipples, but small ones must be driven down on the nipple by the blow of the hammer, and this process frequently cushions the blow to the extent of producing a misfire."

I understand that power is the same regardless of the size. Some people recommend replacing the stock nipples on your BP firearm with a nipple of known size. 

[gregintenn]

I'm pretty sure that if you measure them, you'll find the #11 is larger than the #10.  #11's work on my Thompson Renegade rifle, but fall off my repro 1858 Remington revolver.

[Choatecav]

On 1/21/2021 at 10:32 PM, gregintenn said:

I'm pretty sure that if you measure them, you'll find the #11 is larger than the #10.  #11's work on my Thompson Renegade rifle, but fall off my repro 1858 Remington revolver.

gregintenn is correct.  There is a very subtle size difference.  I own many BP weapons and mostly have to use the 11's due to the 10's being just too tight.  Also, if you shoot a lot, over time the top of the nipple will flaten out ever so slightly and even those that would accept the 10's, will no longer.  Of course, at that point replacement of the nipple is the wise move, but you get my meaning.