Priming powder

[roundball]

I like my simple, proven approach:
Put Goex FFFFg in the pan, shoot a deer, drag it out

::

 

[kentucky bucky]

It seems that I recall a test done by (I think) some fellows at Colonial Williamsburg, that showed fffg powder was at least as fast as ffffg, because the larger grains(shown on slow motion) seemed to "capture" the spark better and in ffffg the sparks seemed to bounce more from the smoother texture of the charge before ignition.

 

[Zonie]

I think Jims findings represent the real world.
With a good lock and a good flint either 2Fg or 3Fg in the pan will ignite within a few thousanths of a second of one another.
The difference is imperceptible from the human perspective.

So, why am I going to prime my pan with FFFFg (4Fg)??????
Because I bought a can of 4F, so I'm working on it.
As I figure it, one pound will be enough for 2333 primes, and while I do shoot quite a bit, it's going to take about 21 pounds of powder down the barrel and God knows how many flints, to use it up . ::

 

[robinghewitt]

The moisture has hardened that powder into a solid cake so hard the sparks would simply bounce off it.

That's not good news :hmm: I have a flint over under with a very deep pan on the right and very weak springs. (It's back action because there's another barrel where the springs normally sit. Not a lot of sparks).

I was wondering if I could get the fuse time down on the right by using a slightly damp pan, pouring in a little fine prime and then giving it a shake to coat the pan without filling it.

Sounds like I'd just get a hard fire proof crust. Have to think again

I get the impression that Claude probably wants to encourage Jim to stick around, so maybe I'll save my theories on ignition for another day :nono: :crackup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I get the impression that Claude probably wants to encourage Jim to stick around, so maybe I'll save my theories on ignition for another day

We want EVERYONE to stick around. If you have a point, thought or aggrivated itch we're here to embrace or deface it. This is Merica! We grant free speech so we got something to argue about. It's the National Passtime! :haha:

Besides, I just love to read your accent.

 

[musketman]

The ffg went off just as fast as the fffg.

Just curious...why wasn't FFFFg tried?

I think the test represented priming from the same horn you use to get your main charge (as some of us do), since most of us don't use FFFFg as a main charge powder, this is why if was not used in the flash test as a whole...
:imo:

 

They didn't use 4f 'cause they didn't have any.

 

Well while I don't have as many years under my belt as most of you seem to I will wade in with what limited experience I have had. I went out with my T.C. with an L&R "RPL" lock. (Sorry Mr. Chambers) Anyway I was a bit rushed that day and forgot my priming horn (4f) so I used 3f same as my load. Worked perfectley evry time. Couldn't notice any difference.

 

[rrgr40]

I have a Dixie Tenn. Mountain rifle with their lock. I will go off with 3f but will not go off with 2f. The powder burns but will not ignite the charge. What I normally do is put an ounce or so in a mortor and pestal and grind real easy for awhile. This gives me a mixture of fine powder to 3f. Have very few problems.

 

[LSU TIGER]

Welcome, Jim! :applause: I guess Barbie will join soon, too? :thumbsup: I tried shooting one of my rifles (I only build flintlocks) priming with both FFFFg and FFg and like you found, there was no difference. Makes you wonder if you REALLY need that priming horn, doesn't it? :youcrazy:

(Pssst! [whisper] Recognise me from "another" B/B?)

 

Don't worry- you aren't alone - many rifles ignite the main charge faster with 4F as priming than any coarser powder. So far, this timing hasn't been tested.
: Jim's test was for flashing the pan, not igniting the main charge.
: When I first got my flinter, the vent was worn out to a self-priming pan - pretty neat- went off very fast with 3F- I'd forgotten about that vent until this very minute and now, with new 1/16" vents, 4F is faster in both my Flinters, the Musket I've just went back for refund after testing, and my brother's custom Bess as well as about every flinter he's made- about 40 odd rifles and smoothbores, I'd guess. All (except the Indian musket) had White Lightening liners and all had 1/16" vents.

 

[Claude Mathis]

When I first got my flinter, the vent was worn out to a self-priming pan - pretty neat- went off very fast with 3F- I'd forgotten about that vent until this very minute and now, with new 1/16" vents, 4F is faster in both my Flinters,...

That's a good point.

I suggest that in the 18th century people used the same powder for both the main charge and to prime and that the guns were designed that way. That is, the touch holes were larger than they are today.

Now that we have very small, stainless liners, the need for a finer powder is necessary. This situation has also created a demand for the priming horn, a somewhat "recent" innovation.

 

[roundball]

Whewwwwww...I feel better...it took me almost 3 yrs to use a can of FFFFg...I just started working on a new can and still have 3 more in storage!!

(have I mentioned I bought more 4F than I needed?)
::

 

[robinghewitt]

That is, the touch holes were larger than they are today.

But were they? Iron touch holes open out over time, but here's one c1790 in 24 ct gold and under 1/16"

Probably ::

 

[Claude Mathis]

...Iron touch holes open out over time, but here's one c1790 in 24 ct gold and under 1/16"

True the iron holes grew over time.
Great photo. I like seeing the real thing as opposed to speculation.

 

[Stumpkiller]

AH HA! I KNEW IT! They hit us with all that metric nonsence in the 60's and 70's, but they're still using inches "over there". :crackup:

Is that a double 28 bore? Manton maybe? :master: Sweet.

 

[robinghewitt]

AH HA! I KNEW IT! They hit us with all that metric nonsence in the 60's and 70's, but they're still using inches "over there". :crackup:

Is that a double 28 bore? Manton maybe? :master: Sweet.

I was born and raised before metric. Nobody has really changed on the everyday stuff, for example, we buy milk in 2.272 litre plastic jugs, it's four pints by any other name ::

The gun is a mess. The stock and furniture is almost certainly Egg, the barrels are most likely Egg, nice early London proofs, the locks look Egg'ish on the outside but the bridles are wrong inside. Someone replaced the breech plate with something ghastly, moved the lock bolts to make it fit and then cut semicircular dents in the cocks so you could unscrew them :shocking:

Can't go on, think I'm gonna puke :cry:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I saw a Durs Egg offered recently - I think it must have been in Double Gun Journal. *sigh* I should never look in that publication, because it reminds me that there are people who can and do afford such things.

I always though I'd like to hook a graple on Daryl's gun cabinet and drag it home. Now I may have to plan an overseas expedition. Arrrrrrrr.

 

[robinghewitt]

Fortunately I have a spare :crackup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

[color="666666"]* sigh * [/color]