3f priming horn

[rdstrain49]

I've been shooting muzzleloaders for over 50 years.  I only just recently, about two weeks ago, saw the light and started my flintlock career.  Until my next powder order I'm using 3f to prime.  Problem is my priming flask does not seem to like 3f.  It will throw 2 or 3 granules one time and a couple of grains the next.  I've repeatedly cleaned it to no avail.  Is there a priming horn or flask that you use that works well with 3f?

[William]

If I understand you correctly, the problem is with the spout on your priming horn which wear out or the spring inside gets weak on the verge of breaking. These usually unscrew from the threaded nut attached to the spout end of the flask or horn so it's a matter of replacing the spring loaded unit all together. A picture would help diagnose the fix if I'm off base on the proper fix.

[Patocazador]

I can't help you. I use 4F in one of those brass doo-dads that dispenses by depressing the slim tube. It works well with 4F but may not with 3F.

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/73/1

[rdstrain49]

I suspect wear and or spring fatigue are likely not the problem, anything however is possible.  The priming flask was purchased at the same time as the rifle, about two weeks ago.  I've repeatedly cleaned and wiped with alcohol and even tried cleaning completely dry.  The 3f still doesn't flow right.  I suppose it could be a humidity issue.

[hotfxr]

Coming from a position of not knowing any better, I just keep springing the spout until I feel I have enough in the pan.

[old salt]

I have 2 of the little devices one will handle 3 f and other will not. I just use what ever horn I have for the main charge and more. works fine for me.

[beowulf]

haven`t used 4f in 25 years , been shooting the beasts for about 40 , wish I had known in the beginning that I didn`t need 4f , would have saved me some bucks
!

[Cranbrook]

I have been shooting flintlocks for just over 15 years and am still on my 2nd one pound can of 4F powder.

I had one of those spring loaded primers but it kept clogging and became a real pain as the brass nozzle end would bend closed under pressure placed on the hard steel lock pan.

I figured them do-hicky things weren't used back in the day so made myself a nice little priming horn with a very small pouring spout.  I fill it from the base plug end.    Of coarse, everyone knows that priming horns are historically correct...... 

[rdstrain49]

Now that you mention it, I don't remember Daniel or Davey carrying two horns, but I was a kid back then so who knows.

[beowulf]

did some searching and came to the conclusion that "priming powder " when used was just the finest grade available at the time , what we call 2f ,3f, and 4f , were`nt stanardized until at least the mid 19th century .,,,,,,Modern corning first compresses the fine black powder meal into blocks with a fixed density (1.7 g/cm³).[107] In the United States, gunpowder grains were designated F (for fine) or C (for coarse). Grain diameter decreased with a larger number of Fs and increased with a larger number of Cs, ranging from about 2 mm (0.08 in) for 7F to 15 mm (0.6 in) for 7C. Even larger grains were produced for artillery bore diameters greater than about 17 cm (6.7 in). The standard DuPont Mammoth powder developed by Thomas Rodman and Lammot du Pont for use during the American Civil War had grains averaging 0.6 inches (15 mm) in diameter with edges rounded in a glazing barrel.[106] Other versions had grains the size of golf and tennis balls for use in 20-inch (51 cm) Rodman guns.[108] In 1875 DuPont introduced Hexagonal powder for large artillery, which was pressed using shaped plates with a small center core—about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) diameter, like a wagon wheel nut, the center hole widened as the grain burned.[109] By 1882 German makers also produced hexagonal grained powders of a similar size for artillery.[109]

By the late 19th century manufacturing focused on standard grades of black powder from Fg used in large bore rifles and shotguns, through FFg (medium and small-bore arms such as muskets and fusils), FFFg (small-bore rifles and pistols), and FFFFg (extreme small bore, short pistols and most commonly for priming flintlocks).[110] A coarser grade for use in military artillery blanks was designated A-1. These grades were sorted on a system of screens with oversize retained on a mesh of 6 wires per inch, A-1 retained on 10 wires per inch, Fg retained on 14, FFg on 24, FFFg on 46, and FFFFg on 60. Fines designated FFFFFg were usually reprocessed to minimize explosive dust hazards.[111] In the United Kingdom, the main service gunpowders were classified RFG (rifle grained fine) with diameter of one or two millimeters and RLG (rifle grained large) for grain diameters between two and six millimeters.[108] Gunpowder grains can alternatively be categorized by mesh size: the BSS sieve mesh size, being the smallest mesh size, which retains no grains. Recognized grain sizes are Gunpowder G 7, G 20, G 40, and G 90. priming horns probably did exist during the 18th century , but were`nt in common use !

[Hanshi]

I have a couple of those brass primers and they work perfectly with 4F.  Only trouble I've had was a broken spring in one that was easily replaced with a spring I had laying around the house.  And I lost a nice one in the woods somehow.

[rfd]

typically, there is no need for any 4F "pan powder".  in dayze of yore at best only 2F or larger grades of black powder was to be had and they all worked to at least reasonable degrees for both sustenance and protection.  so, i would suggest to the OP to both load and prime 3F out of the same horn - easier, less stuff to carry and administer, and swiss 3F has done both yeoman fast tube and pan firing for me for decades with rifles and smoothbores from .32 thru .62 bore. 

[Patocazador]

haven`t used 4f in 25 years , been shooting the beasts for about 40 , wish I had known in the beginning that I didn`t need 4f , would have saved me some bucks
!

You didn't shoot my rifle, it laughs at 3F. 

[Hanshi]

After a lifetime of scientific observation I've discovered that those who DON'T prime with 4F drink their whiskey over ice. 

[rdstrain49]

sacrilege