pan priming

[Stumpkiller]

I guess it's a classic "Goldilocks" problem:

Too little isn't good.

Too much isn't good.

But between them is a "just right" zone.

Only experimentation will find the zone for your lock/pan/vent arrangement. Start full and back off; slow ignition is still ignition. ;-)

 

[BigBoreBLR]

Jaybird,

You're new to muzzleloading and it's close to hunting season.

IF you do hunt, change the powder in the priming charge every hour or two.

Also, bring something to cover the entire lock area if you get a bit of rain or snow. They're called cows knees. However, any material would work fine, like an extra hat, half a sheet of paper sized vinyl seat ushion material from a fabric store. Even a ziplock bag would work.

Painting the sights some sort of color other than black helps. I use glow in the dark white, but the acrylic kids paints work good too. Several folks at my local woodswalk shoots like a bright blue for the front sight, and then either green or red for the rear sights. MY gun has a peep sight, so I only need to paint one sight.

Midway sells the glow in the dark rifle sight paint kits. I've painted 6 or 7 since I bought their little kit almost 10 years ago. PAint is still good. I harvested a doe in PA about 20 minutes after sunset with the glow in the dark paint on the sights.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Will too muck powder in the pan cause a delay/ long burn time before the charge goes off?

Yes.
Too much primer will have to burn down to the touch hole. Jest enuf will give heat to the main charge and set yer shot off almost as quick as a thutty ought sixer. All this provided you have a good lock and the touch hole is properly located.

 

[jaybird14]

I'm not new to muzzleloading just flintlocks. lol

I have one more week in Wisconsin to chase deer than to the range.

I'll figure it out . than lay waste.

 

[Larry Pletcher]

The link below answers a number of the OP's questions. The article is in 6 parts with parts 3-6 dealing specifically ignition speeds and consistency. The photos in Part 3 will help to make decisions about powder placement in the pan.

"Pan Vent Experiments"

Regards,
Pletch

 

[Wes/Tex]

Glad you weighed in on this one. Hadn't seen your smiling face around the fire recently...hope all's well! :thumbsup:

 

[jpm1963]

That link leads to some really awesome information to go over.

Thanks for sharing . . .

Jim

 

[Larry Pletcher]

Thank you, Jim.

Regards,
Larry