Touch Hole Liner

[como]

Hi All,

I am building a .32 cal flintlock to hunt small game.My question is on the touch liner.I have a AMPCO 1/4 x 28 sloted and it has a hole on center.What is the best size hole to have on this liner and is this type of liner as good as the stanless steel type? Thanks

 

[B.Habermehl]

Your ampco liner will last you for a long time with no measurable change. Unless you are into using square vent picks. These can ream out any liner made, Ampco, Stainless whatever. :imo: I am told Ampco will last a little longer than stainless. I usually drill my touch holes out to .062 for starters, with small bore guns. With big bores I usually go to .070 right away. Just enlarge the hole as you need to get the reliability you demand. Smaller is better for shot to shot velocity concistancy. When you drill out a slotted liner it is best to do the drilling from the back side. This will go a long way to avoid breaking drill bits. Try to pick out a liner that has the slot aligned to be paralell to the bore. This will prevent you from losing the priming. Or worse yet acumulating priming powder behind the lock :shake:

 

I threaded the hole for my liner just deep enough to make the bottom of the slot flush with the barrel and then filed it all flush and smooth. I also had to shorten the liner itself so that it wouldn't protrude into the breech area which would cause problems with loading and cleaning. I think this method results in a cleaner, more period looking piece. If you must ever remove the liner just drill the hole out a bit and use an easy out. This is from personal experience and I don't claim to be an expert by any means. I also suggest you make dang sure you place the touch hole EXACTLY where you want it. Measure many times and drill one correct hole. I mistook a blemish in the metal for my punch mark and the hole was an inch too far forward. Geeeeeze! I felt like an ass. I had to tap the mistake and fill it with a bolt and file it flush. I'm learning this hobby the hard way and like to share my mistakes with hopes that it will save others some hassle.