RobertSubnet

So there I was...at the range with my flintlock and was having all sorts of problems getting a Triple 7 3F charge to go off. I was priming with Goex 4F and getting a decent spark and flash.

Eventuallythe rifle did go off.

An observing old time muzzleloader took pity on me and offered to help. I told him what I was shooting and he told me that flintlocks do not fire Pyrodex, Triple 7 (the substitute stuff), etc., all that well. In order to use the substitutes, you need to add a 10 grain charge of Goex first as a base charge. That will in turn set off the substitute stuff. His point was that the flintlock did not generate enough of a flash to set off the substitute powders.

The rifle does work fine using Goex 2F, primed with Goex 4F.

I didn't have time to try out his suggestion, what I am wondering is, does this sound correct? If I want to shoot a 60 grain charge of Pyrodex, should I first drop in 10 grains of Goex followed by 50 grains of the Pyrodex on top of that? (Thats not really a 60 grain charge of Pyrodex-but a 60 grain charge alltogether). Followed with a Goex 4F prime.

Thanks all for your help. As an aside, I've only had this rifle for 3 weeks and its my first ML. The smoke that rifle makes when it goes off is really cool!

~Robert

lonewolf5347

The gentleman was correct if you have to use pyrodex powder you should first throw 10 grains of 4f down the barrel,then the main charge (pyrodex)
I did at one time have problems trying to locate real black powder,I would throw 10 grains of goex 4f first then followed with 70 grains of pyrodex select,I never had any problems.
I now shoot only 3f in my flinters and prime with either 3f or 4f ,I also improved on my touch hole liner and only use 3/4 black english flint.

cayugad

I think they call that a duplex load. I have often seen people on the range dump a little 4f down the bore of their flintlock and then load with their standard charge powder. Since I shoot only Goex in my flintlocks I have never seen the need.

I talked to a person that shoots a PA Pellet and they said to make the rifle fire faster, that is also the method they use. They dump a small amount of Goex down first, then seat the pellets. It give the pan spark something to ignite easierI guess...

RobertSubnet

LoneWolf and Cayugad:

Thanks for the comments. Do you suppose instead of using the 4F down the barrel I could use 2F? It might be a tad slower(?). I get my Goex through Powder Inc. I don't have to tell you about the shipping $$$. So if I could conserve the 4F and use the 2F instead that would be a plus. I suppose there is one way to find out!

I should write to Sam Fadala, he didn't cover any of this stuff!

~Robert

cayugad

I do not duplex any loads but I see no reason why the 2f would not work as well... After all it is black powder and it will ignite with any small amount of spark. I also buy my powder from Powder Inc. but I read they had a price increase. I am going to look into some of that Graf Black Powder made by Wano and see how well that works. I have to check still with Graf and see if there are any restrictions on kind of powders, mixing powders, etc. I want to get some of the different powders out there for my other rifles too.

roundball

Yes, Goex 2F or 3F will work fine as an igniter charge for a BP subs...have done it myself a number of times.

Note about 4F....while you canusea little 10-15grn igniter charge of 4F insidethe bore,as a friendly 'caution'...please rememberthat 4Fis a very fast burning flash type powder meant to be used outside the rifle as priming powder inthe pan of a flint lock assembly...and large amounts should not be used as main charges inside the bore...generates to much pressure too fast, could burst the barrel, etc

Enjoy!

RobertSubnet

Roundball: Thanks!

"Igniter Charge," I guess that is the term I'm trying to describe.

What you said about the Goex 4F makes sense. I'd rather use the 2F anyway, just to save the 4F.

Thanks again guys.

~Robert

eldeguello

One certainly has to use a BP priming charge in the barrel first before loading Pyrodex in a flintlock if one wishes it to go "bang". I believe that Hodgdon says to do this for 777 as well. I don't know if it is necessary to do this with Clean Shot (American Pioneer), Black Mag3, Pinnacle, or the no-longer available GOEX ClearShot.

eldeguello

you certainly can-and I don't think you'll notice any more delay than if you were using FFg BP as the whole charge instead of just an igniter.....

BonsaiDiver

you certainly can-and I don't think you'll notice any more delay than if you were using FFg BP as the whole charge instead of just an igniter.....

ggrrrr....my next day off isn't until Thursday. I"m looking forward to going to the range and trying this out.

~Robert