Is 1/16th" the right size for touch hole?

[rootnuke]

Is 1/16th" the right size for touch hole?

I have installed a touch hole liner in my .54 barrel. Ron Ehler suggests 1/16" in his video. Should I drill it out to 1/16"? :master:

 

[tg]

I have come to prefer 5/64, some veteran shooters who use no liners go to 3/32

 

[Herb]

I installed a White Lightning vent in my Jacob Wigle .40 rifle and had a lot of flashes in the pan. I think that hole was about .050. I suggest you shoot this vent like it is and see if you get flashes in the pan. If you do, then drill out to 1/16" (.0625). I did, then went to .070, which I usually use. No more flashes in the pan. Very easy to drill out with a hand drill, probably you could even do it with your fingers. Need to take off your lock for a straight in drill. The reason for shooting it like it is? You learn more that way. There has been a lot of discussion on flash hole liners in the Flintlock forum. You could do a search on that.

 

[Birddog6]

If it is a removable vent liner, why not do each..... 1/16" and one 5/64"... If it is a Chambers vent liner I wouls start at 1/16" but all the.54 cals I build have 5/64" holes in them. Also if it is a removable liner & you do a vent mod on the liner it will greatly improve the ignition. If you need the instructions email me your snail mail address & I will mail it to you.The article is too large to post or email. [email protected] :thumbsup:

 

[Flintleather]

I have a TVM Virginia with one of those funny allen touchholes.I used to get a flash only on a semi-regular basis until i opened it up to 5/64. Now it lights like it should.One day ill replace it with a chambers but for know it works maybe when it burns out larger and my 3f trickles out when i load ill have to. :crackup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

The smaller the touch-hole, the less pressure loss and flash. The larger the touch-hole, the more reliable the ignition.

:imo: Start with the smallest (1/16") and open it up gradually only if necessary for reliable ignition. Metal don't grow back.

Personally, I like the 5/64" so I have as much going my way for fast ignition as possible. But, I also prefer the largest locks for the same reason and the 5/64" doesn't look out of place beside them. For me, 10% pressure loss is an acceptable price to pay.

 

[Terry Zboril]

Root,
1/16" may work fine. As Stumpy says, everything is a compromise.
I have had best results ,overall,in over 30 flinters in .45 up, with drilling the liner with a #51 bit, (.067) :results:
Regards,
Terry