Your story lit some Bells and Rang Lights!

[Larry Beach]

I tried every type of powder for priming, FFFg FFg
I tried using a mortar and pestal grind the fffg
finer. I finally got some Goex FFFFG problem 1/3 fixed. Next point, I used 60% Priming Powder, the key is to move the light charge over to the priming pan outer wall, when the Flint strikes the frizzen it catches and follows the open oxygen to
focus the charge by having only one way for the flash to travel. It is focused toward the flash hole.
You get much less distracting Flask and Spark,
and faster primary ignition. If you have an ocasional mis fire, try drilling it out with the next larger drill bit. You don't want to go too big because you find the touch hole firing HOT...
**IMPORTANT** If you use Pyrodex, make sure to put a PRE-Prime charge of 5-15 grain of FFFFG.
then regular charge of Pistol -15%, If you use RS
use 10 to 15 Grain FFFFG on the bottom of the main charge, then regular main CHG.
enlarge the nipple hole if needed, but my way has a near failess ignition. Try it!

 

[kaintuck]

Got 40 drill hole, use fffg for prim and shooting sometimes....50cal, GM barrel, no problems????

Marc n tomtom

 

[LRB]

A fellow on this board that goes by Pletch has proven beyond doubt, through high speed photography, high tech timers, and much experimenting, that the fastest ignition is with the priming up to, but not covering the vent hole. And, most experienced FL rifle shooters never see the flash, making that point moot.

 

[Billnpatti]

:metoo: I, too, found that by spreading the pan charge out in the pan but making sure that it comes up to just below the touch hole that I get few klatches or misfires. By spreading it out in the pan, it makes more of the powder available to catch a spark. My touch holes are all 1/16 inch. I use either Goex 4f or Swiss Null B in my pan depending on which one I pick up that day. Both work great. There have been times when I have used Goex 3f in my pan and it seems to work just fine, too. Like you, I never see the flash from my pan.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Whatever works for you.
But, methinks you have problems that are causing ignition issues. Proper lock and touch hole placement will give ignition almost regardless of where the prime is located.
Real bp is the only way to go for flintlocks.

 

[tenngun]

:metoo: I also almost my pan to just shy of the touch hole. Prime from my horn. Have 1/16 touch holes and will good ignition with 2 f when I have that .

 

[Dewey]

I use real black powder, 3F in gun and 4F in pan.
I give the pan two pumps of the primer, then level it out.
It's about half a pan full.

If my flint is sharp, I never have any ignition problems ... and I haven't seen the flash in a v - e - r - y .... l - o - n - g time - I just see the target !!!

You get used to that small explosion near your face very quickly - or at least I did. I do remember my first time with a flintlock, however - no idea where the ball went, I was staring at the lock after the shot, lol !!!

 

[Larry Beach]

I will definitely try the level pan priming technique next time I shoot. It has been so long since I tried anything different.
How long is the average between hammer drop and main discharge time? I have gotten used to a definate "chick,Bang",possibly 1/4second. As far as the touch hole I did run the next size drill bit through it from my tiny Dremmel kit..
My Lyman and Traditions were already set up,
I bought them used.
I have long practiced looking past the pan like mentioned. I did let my friends Wife take a shot
with it, (her first) I only loaded 50 grains.
I'm glad we had the camcorder! She jumped and tossed the rifle about 3' into the air.
She did catch it tho.
I sincerely appreciate all of your posts in answer.
Larry Duane

 

[MC One Shot]

:rotf: hotoSmile: op:

 

[Larry Beach]

OK I took a few of my CVA Flintlock, (*the one CVA replaced
*see my other thread.
Larry

 

[Larry Beach]

OK so what is the trick in posting a Picture??

 

[LRB]

You need to go through Photo Bucket or a similar site, and they are set up for you to transfer your photos from their site. It's a freebie, and pretty easy once you get your photos on their site.

 

[Dewey]

image

I can't get your website photo to "image" either.
Here it is as a link, at least.

 

[Larry Beach]

Thanks Wick and Dewey... I'll try them. In the mean time I just realized I PUT THAT NEW FLINT IN UPSIDE DOWN!!!
I found them at a Gun show 15 of them for $10.00!
They might not look like it, but they spark like crazy. I also bought new frizzens for my Lyman and CVA's before they went up so much..
I love target shooting so much with Flintlocks
ANY Flintlock, I don't know if there is anything that challenges Human nature than that first year shooting a Flintlock.

 

[Dewey]

In the mean time I just realized I PUT THAT NEW FLINT IN UPSIDE DOWN!!!

There is no up-side-down - it is which ever way it works best !!!

 

[Dewey]

I don't know if there is anything that challenges Human nature than that first year shooting a Flintlock.

Only the FIRST year ???

In that case, my "first year" seems like its been a couple of decades !!! :rotf:

 

[Larry Beach]

:applause: Funny Post..... :thumbsup: