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3f T7 is the only substitute powder I use in side locks like yours. For all the stated reasons. It works just fine. Pyrodex P does too. I just don’t have any left.
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Patent Breech Investarms Hawken failures to fire
- Thread starter Bruce in WV
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and store the gun muzzle down. It's surprising how much oil comes out of a 'lightly oiled for rust prevention' barrel.
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After cleaning, stand the rifle on it's nose letting the barrel drain.
Mike in FL
50 Cal.
I was having fail to fire infrequently in a flintlock with a patent breech. Using 3F. I found that pouring the powder in slowly while tapping the barrel it settles to where it is meant to be.
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No need to pump water through the patent breech or pop caps. My method is easy: Clean the fire channel using a bristled pipe cleaner, After loading the powder, lean the rifle lock side down and smack he stock a couple times; this allows the powder to enter the flash channel.
In the past 20 years one TC rifle gave me chronic misfire/hangfire trouble. i had replaced a worn nipple with someones expensive vented nipple that had a tiny flash hole. Replaced that useless nipple with a TC nipple, no more trouble.
In the past 20 years one TC rifle gave me chronic misfire/hangfire trouble. i had replaced a worn nipple with someones expensive vented nipple that had a tiny flash hole. Replaced that useless nipple with a TC nipple, no more trouble.
Yup, I had two hang fires in one shooting session with my New Englander when using 2F 777 and a CCI #11 cap. Never had that happen before or after with 3F black powder.
It simply needs a little more spark with 777 than what a standard nipple provides.
Yep, tap on the lock side while the rifle is leaning on that same side.
I wouldn't call it slapping. More like knocking or rapping in quick succession to help gravity get the powder to trickle in underneath the nipple. These vibes could work from either side as long as the lock is gravity side down from the powder charge. If one likes bashing his knuckles or palm on the lock to get it done, he should, by all means, go for it that way. I prefer moving the powder into place from the opposite, smooth side and it works flawlessly for me. For the OP, make sure you do this before seating the ball or bullet, as compression of the charge will most likely prevent it from trickling anywhere. If some powder does manage to get under the nipple this way, you will probably have an air gap between that powder and the main charge which can lead to more inconsistencies and some nasty hangfires. If all the powder moves toward the flash channel/ nipple after seating, you will then have the air gap under the projectile and a serious risk of 'ringing' and damaging your barrel. SW
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We teach to pat the stock a few times on the SAME side as the lock in our Scout class.
Very well said!
Been leaning the ML on the lock side and then tapping the stock since I got into muzzleloading in 1981. It certainly works for this ole boy out of every ML I’ve owned since then.
I do not understand why anyone would want to tap on the opposite side of the lock. Makes no sense. The objective is to get the powder closer to the ignition source, not farther away. This could very well make a difference if there happens to be a little bit of crud in the flash channel.
FWIW, on several occasions I’ve forgotten to tap the stock on the side and I still had good ignition.
A clean rifle is a happy rifle.
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2F TTT definitely gave me problems during testing with my New Englander. I had several misfires or hang fires on the same day at the range. Switched back over to 3F black powder and had no more problems. End of testing with 2F TTT.
The only reason I was testing it was I had some left over from one of those new fandango ML’s I was working up a load for that belong to someone else. I still have that junk in my closet.
I would reckon that 3F TTT might be a bit better (if they even make such) but I never have had a problem with 3F black powder.
My advice to anyone that chooses to shoot TTT, or any other sub, is to install a different nipple that was specifically designed for such. Those nipples provide more spark. Subs do need a little more fire for best results. During a hunting application it simply is not worth not doing so.
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Mike in FL
50 Cal.
I have found my Lyman/Pedersoli GPR doesn't like the powder dumped in, but trickled while tapping the butt plate on the ground as it goes in.
Do you want the powder AGAINST the touchhole? Yeah, that will slow ignition skippy.
Won't slow ignition on patent breach cap lock, no sir!
Hasn’t happened to me since I adopted that method since 1981, nor everyone else I’ve known that does so. That’s with multiple different types of ML’s. As long as you lean the ML on the lock side, the powder will trickle into the flash channel.
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SMH I've shot quite a bit of T7 with #11 caps. FTF was not present unless after shooting my patch was to damp wiping between shots.
IMPO their is a restriction in the breech some place between the nipple and powder
IMPO their is a restriction in the breech some place between the nipple and powder
I disagree. I’ve been shooting flintlocks since 1979. But you do you.Hasn’t happened to me since I adopted that method since 1981, nor everyone else I’ve known that does so. That’s with multiple different types of ML’s. As long as you lean the ML on the lock side, the powder will trickle into the flash channel.
These are caplocks. Different story all together. And patent breach to boot!
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