Priming with 3F

[Timber Wolf]

I shot my Bess a dozen or so times yesterday setting off 1.5f Swiss with 3f, just cause. But, I don’t know how it is any faster to dribble 3f from a horn than poke a primer down to throw 3 grains of 4f or Null-B in the pan.

 

[Grimord]

I'm wondering if humidity conditions shouldn't play a greater role in our daily choice of priming powder granulation rather than a one size fits all approach ? My feeling is that on days with high humidity and even fog is present we would probably experience better ignition with 3 or 4 F than with say Null-B or Meal-D which is basically BP dust and provides very hot, fast prime in dry weather but tends to absorb moisture in humid conditions.

I use 4 f on dry days, and 3f for humid and windy days. 4f absorbs more moisture from the air leaving soup in the pan, and on windy days it blows out of the pan.

 

[olskool]

i shoot whatever i use in the barrel most times. on my range i use 4F sometimes, but hunting i always use the barrel powder,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[M. De Land]

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i shoot whatever i use in the barrel most times. on my range i use 4F sometimes, but hunting i always use the barrel powder,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I think when using Goex that one would be smart to sock/screen the can powder and use the recovered fines for the prime with normal match conditions . Barrel powder makes a lot of sense while hunting though.

 

[springfield art]

It's generally believed that the old timers back in the 18th & 19th century didn't really use "priming horns"; that is more of a practice that took hold in modern times. Many small horns from history were probably 'day-hunt' horns, where you're out for the day only, and just need a small amount for several shots maybe. Home to hunt and back home same day. No need for large amounts of powder.

 

[andy52]

We use reenactor grade powder that is maybe 2f for the cartridges and we sacrifice a cartridge to use as a priming cartridge after the cartridge is loaded. That nasty powder works just fine. Its dirty and the bore does get fouled. I have a wad of tow on a string that I will spit on to wipe some of that fouling out after a couple of shots.

I haven't begun to prepare for the November Woods Walk.

That's because you really don't want to be in the running for 1st...
Anywho, I use powder straight from my horn (3F) at these types of events. I will use prerolled charges and a ball board which makes things happen a little faster.

 

[TarponStalker]

I use 4 f on dry days, and 3f for humid and windy days. 4f absorbs more moisture from the air leaving soup in the pan, and on windy days it blows out of the pan.

Wow. It must really blow where you live. Lol. I can’t even imagine my powder getting blown out of the pan.

 

[TarponStalker]

I’m almost embarrassed to say this but when I’m hunting I mix 3f and 4F. Mostly 4F. I’ve always heard 4F draws more moisture but for me it’s a little faster. I figure I’ll get the best of both. Yes I know I’m complicating it.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Wow. It must really blow where you live. Lol. I can’t even imagine my powder getting blown out of the pan.

Back in March, I was shooting at our local range…I almost could not keep powder in the pan when shooting from the bench. I had to turn my body against the wind and protect the pan to fill. Needless to say, accuracy sucked that day.

 

[rkg1]

I always use powder from the flask to prime my 40 and 45 3f same as the barrel. When using a larger caliber I use 4f no logical reason it is just what I do. Both work well and I can't tell a difference.

 

[Mike in FL]

Yo folks make me wonder if my extra care to use 4F for priming has been futile these past 50 years. I always thought priming from the horn was an emergency tactic as if an Indian warrior was fleeing the scene of some awful degradation on a settler's home and the hero with the prettiest longrifle at the scene had no time to prime otherwise.

 

[hanshi]

These priming "tools" work only with 4F. The two in the center throw 3 grains of powder while the one on the far left throws around 5 or 6 grains. The legbone primer on the right dribbles any amount one might want. When I have only 3F I either use the main horn or a separate container.

 

[TarponStalker]

I shot a few times today. About halfway through I ran out of 4F in my primer. I finished the day with 3F prime. No problems at all.