Help-Misfires

[sdpollard]

I am a new flinter and built a .54 cal Hawken that I am having trouble with misfires. I have a flint that came with the rifle kit(maybe my first problem) and bought pyrodex powder(maybe my second problem) to shoot with. I also am using pyrodex to prime(I know it sounds like a broken record but maybe the third problem). The thing shoots great on the first shot but on the second I can't get the thing to fire. I wound up pulling the ball out today. :curse: I am planning on getting some quality flints and priming powder.
Any words of wisdom for a greenhorn flinter.
Thanks,

 

[robinghewitt]

Is the pan lighting?

 

[sdpollard]

THe pan seems to light fine most of the time. I would say four out of 6. Ignition is a little slow.

 

Shawn,.... Git rid of the Pyrodex,.. and git "real" FFG blackpowder to use as a main-charge and FFFFG to prime the pan of yore flinter!! :thumbsup:

YMHS
rollingb

 

[sdpollard]

What brand do you suggest? Are they all the same?
Thanks

 

I've used Goex fer many years, and I'm completely happy with it!!

YMHS
rollingb

 

[Rebel]

Pyrodex is designed for caplocks and is not at all good in a flinter unless you pour a little real Black Powder in first, and that is just one more step and one more thing to forget in the loading process. Buy yourself some Goes 3f powder. You can use it for both priming and the main charge. Also, if you haven't already done it, drill the vent hole out to 1/16".

 

[sdpollard]

Thanks for all the help. :thumbsup:
I will try all of the recommendations.

 

[Dale D]

Hi Shawn. I have read somewhere that the problem with useing Pyro in flintlocks is that it has a higher ignition temp than black does, and the flash from the pan doesn't always reach this temp. Black has a lower ignition temp and that's why it's more reliable in a flinter. Dale

 

[Rat]

Yes follow the recommendations...Pyro does indeed have a higher ignition temp, as do all the substitute black powders. You will be pleasently suprised when you get some real BP in the pan and down the barrel.

Goex is great stuff, and available most everywhere...but, however, if Swiss is available to you you'll REALLY like that stuff. GOOD GOOD stuff. It is a bit expensive, but also more powerful so you don't have to use quite as much, per load. (although that doesn't stop ME from using just as much!!)

I use ffg, all my rifles and muskets being of .58 calibre or larger. What I find outstanding about the Swiss powder is that it burns about as clean as 777, and cleans up about the same. (but still smells GOOD!)

:results:

Don't forget to tell us how she shoots with REAL powder in her.

Rat

 

[sdpollard]

Will Do!
Thanks again :thumbsup:

 

[rcasto]

I agree with the others about using Goex. It is all I use in my flintlock and buffalo cartridge rifles. Also, the finer grains ie FFFFg work great for priming but I have found that FFg works well for priming also if you can't find the finer grains.

 

[Zonie]

Shawn: If you are shooting Pyro, ANY brand of 2F or 3F black powder will be a touch of heaven for you.

If you can find Goex, Swiss, Schuetzen, Elephant or any other Real FFg or FFFg black powder, buy it.


You will be happy!

You may read about 4Fg (FFFFg) being used for priming the pan, but don't worry about it. The 2Fg or 3Fg will work just fine.

 

[Rebel]

Actually, you might get faster ignition with Pyrodex than with Elephant. :: Thankfully Elephant is a thing of the past. :imo:Get some Goex or Schuetzin if you can't afford the cost of the Swiss. :m2c:

 

[doverdog]

Rebel, Didn't you get in trouble with higher powers in another "undisclosed location" for badmouthing Elephant powder one time, even though the stuff isn't fit to use for fertilizer. Maybe it was another indescretion that caused you grief.:: If all I had to use was Elephant, I would probably give up shooting ML's. :imo:

 

[Dave K]

Agreed, I would give up shooting a Ml'er if all I had was Elephant powder!

 

[Pasquinel]

Shawn< I agree with using BP. Another thing you might want to consider is purchasing a CO2 ball discharger with
the flintlock adapter. Cost is some where in the $35 range
but it's a great investment especially for a new shooter.
You may find this hard to believe but someday you will probably load the patched ball and forget the powder,it's
happpened to me afew times over the past 25 years. This is
when a CO2 ball discharger comes in handy. Well good luck and hang in there. :m2c:

 

[BLAHMAN]

Superflint & Rebel,
I've used Elephant powder before, in fact I still got a couple of cans. I've never had any problem with that stuff with the exception that it fouls heavier than Goex. :m2c:

 

I don't know about rebel, but I got in trouble on that 'undisclosed site' for badmouthing a single batch of Elephant! I figure the site owner must have had alot of stock in Elephant. For me Goex works much better in all of my rifles--about the same as the (great) old DuPont I started with back in the 60s-70s. I usually prime with fffg (or ffffg depending on circumstances--the old timers usually primed with the same powder they loaded with, be it ffg or fffg). Loading procedures, humidity, fouling and other parameters can affect rates of misfires in addition to powder brand.

Rebel, Didn't you get in trouble with higher powers in another "undisclosed location" for badmouthing Elephant powder one time, even though the stuff isn't fit to use for fertilizer. Maybe it was another indescretion that caused you grief.:: If all I had to use was Elephant, I would probably give up shooting ML's. :imo:

 

[Rebel]

Guess you were one of the Lucky ones then. I had a LOT of misfires and hangifres with it, not to mention it fouled so bad i could hardly load a second shot, and clean up was a chore.