Enlarging Touch Hole

[Loyalist Dave]

OK well my .40 has a touch hole smaller than 1/16..., and ignition isn't reliable, giving me flash-n-the-pans even when I prick the hole before or after priming. So..., open it up to 1/16th or a teeny bit farther to 5/64th?

LD

 

[Black Hand]

Start with a 1/16th and see how it shoots. Enlarge until you get consistent ignition without all your powder dribbling out of the touchhole.

 

[wattlebuster]

I would start with 1/16th an it should work good but if it dont then try 5/64th. You can always drill a tad bigger but ya cant go back smaller unless you put in a new liner :hatsoff:

 

[larry wv]

Several sizes between 1/16th and 5/64s. :wink: Go a little larger till you hit the magic size. As was said easy to make bigger less so to shrink back down. Larry

 

[zimmerstutzen]

enlarging a touch hole is futile if you have an issue inside the touch hole. When the barrel is loaded with the main charge and projectile, you should see a few grains of powder hanging in the the opening of the tough hole. If you don't, you have a problem to address inside the touch hole. In such cases, making the touch hole larger is not likely to accomplish much. If you do see powder inside the touch hole, you shouldn't have ignition problems.

This is especially true with hooked breech guns where the flash channel inside the touch hole can be angled and easily restricted.

 

[B.Habermehl]

Please do not enlarge the touchhole to 5/64"! You will not like it, accuracy wise. 1/16 = .062 to .068 which is a wire guage size would be OK. Any bigger will cause accuracy problems especially in smaller bores like your .40. BJH

 

[ebiggs1]

My preferred size for a touch hole is .070. And if you think accuracy is affected, which it isn't but if you do, because of loss of velocity, just add a few grs (3 to 5) more of powder.
I also like it coned both sides. I hate FITPs, so I don't have them! :grin:

 

[JohnTulle]

I drill my touch holes at about .068-.070 - the drill wobbles or it's me. Any bigger than that and my 2F powder would probably come out into the pan, which I don't want. Picking is easier and accuracy doesn't seem to be affected.
John

 

[Stubert]

I've got a .62 with a 5/64 hole. 3f will dribble out, 2f won't. It was that large when I purchased it used.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Loyalist, when loaded, do you see grains of powder hanging just inside the touch hole?

Whether a touch hole is .0625 (1/16) or .078125 (5/64) will make little difference if the main charge powder isn't working it's way out to the touch hole.

 

[blackdog of vt]

I've never had to open one past 1/16 but I also internal cone which is an option.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Well an internal cone isn't a option for "me", but would be if I sent the barrel to a proper smith..., I think though if I'm going to spend that money, I would just have a touch hole liner installed.

The hole is smaller than 1/16". So I can't see powder, but I can feel it when I prick the touch hole. The area around the TH is coned inward too. Sometimes I have no ignition problem. Sometimes I have a flash in the pan, even when I prick the hole during loading. The hole is smaller than my .54's, and I have no worries with her..., but I don't want to open the hole too wide either, that's all.

If it doesn't work than I will send the barrel out for a touch hole liner installation.

Thanks for the info folks.

LD

 

[hanshi]

All my guns have been drilled out to 1/16". Absolutely reliable with no need to go larger.

 

[floyd1350]

never needed to open up a touch hole larger than as purchased. all my miss fires have been a loose or dull flint.

 

[BE Wild Willy]

OK, it's my turn.

I received my slightly used Pedersoli Frontier 54 and I'm going to try shooting flint for the first time as soon as the weather permits.

I've checked the touch hole opening, a 1/16" or .0640" tip cleaner will not pass through. A 7/128" or .0570 tip cleaner does pass through easily. Both the inside and outside of the opening is coned.

Should I drill it out with my 1/16" bit or try to shoot first?

 

[hanshi]

If it works as is then don't touch it.

 

[David W.]

If she fires reliably, then don't do anything to it. If it doesn't, open it up with a .070 (#50), or a .073 (#49) bit. I wouldn't go any larger than that.

OK, it's my turn.

I received my slightly used Pedersoli Frontier 54 and I'm going to try shooting flint for the first time as soon as the weather permits.

I've checked the touch hole opening, a 1/16" or .0640" tip cleaner will not pass through. A 7/128" or .0570 tip cleaner does pass through easily. Both the inside and outside of the opening is coned.

Should I drill it out with my 1/16" bit or try to shoot first?

 

[BE Wild Willy]

OK, I'll give her a try as is. I removed the touch hole liner and was pleased to see that the flash channel was larger than what I'd anticipated. I've heard that some were undersized, this appears to be quite ample. Easily fits a q-tip or 30 cal bore brush.

 

[rancher]

Mine is 5/64. Accuracy and ignition is not a problem. Neither is powder dribbling out. In fact the gun is an excellent shooter. Probably start smaller as others have said though.

 

[ebiggs1]

If it works as is then don't touch it.

Works and reliable are two separate things! :wink: