Is it necessary to have a priming flask?
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Getting ready to shoot a matchlock as a newbie
- Thread starter TobJohn
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trettie
Matchlocks and Flintlocks
You don’t want to prime out of your main powder flask; if an ember should cause a flash, that much powder could give you a real bad day. If you’re using paper cartridges, you can prime off that, or a small flask with a narrow spout just for priming, or a charger with a valve that measures off a small quantity.
Thanks! I’m ordering one of those adjustable chargers, so I can use it for different guns and not charge from the flask.
Yes, that is a MUST for anything black powdah ...
What’s a little random guessing amongst explosivesYes, that is a MUST for anything black powdah ...
According to one of Michael’s threads and the Handgonne book, taking a handful of powder from a bag was a historical method. Definitely a historical accuracy better left in the past.
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DuncNZ
54 Cal.
Between shots I keep the burning match in a empty alloy drink can with holes punched in it .It sits on the ground at my firing point . this allows the match to keep burning without getting in the way .
It’s helpful. I used to use an English Civil War style primer, which was basically a slightly bigger charger with a spout at the top. Once we learned that those were a little late for us, we started using the trapezoidal wood-and-leather ones. TRettie’s other suggestions are excellent. As a dyed-in-the-wool 18th century guy, paper cartouches are my first love.
Jay
You should come on down to Jamestown sometime, TobJohn! Holler at me so I know when, and I’ll arrange to show you how I make our match.
Jay
I would love to! I greatly appreciate the invite and will find some time in the near future!
Teleoceras
45 Cal.
At the range, I just cut a finger length piece of slowmatch and ignite it just before I fire it. This way I usually don't have to worry about the match and just take my time reloading.
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Hi John
Yes, it is just as you say. It's treated and is genuine match cord similar to the original stuff. I bought a supply of this from a guy that makes and sells it. But it's been so many years ago I can't recall who offhand. But, I'm sure I wrote it down and will find it if you like.
Looks close to the real thing doesn't it. I thought so anyway.
Rick
Was it this: Slow Match
Not trying to look like a stalker, lol, I had found that thread from google a bit ago and they are currently making a bag for me and I included some hemp slow match in the order.
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They are still very much in business. I can report in a week or two how their quality is.
In terms of shooting, the last thing I can think of is wadding. Do people have a preferred wadding material? Should I bother with trying patched balls?
At least in skeet shooting, I am a pretty terrible shot, so the finer points of what provides the best accuracy may be wasted until I get a fair amount of practice.
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Jay
Nothing wrong with priming from the main flask per se, But a matchlock usually works Much better with fine priming.
In a flint the same grain will work in charge and pan but not so well in a matchlock.
In a flint the same grain will work in charge and pan but not so well in a matchlock.
Not debating you Jay ... but I honestly fail to understand 
how you or any matchlock musketeer ever get any burn holes like that on your clothing, never mind up on top of your hat! As I get NONE, never have ... never even 'splashed' from a matchlock (on forearm or body), where in my experience percussion gun nipples splash me more than any other earlier BP ignition method arm.
What's is or where is all that 'lit' debris coming from? It cannot be the pan powder, else it would happen with snaphaunces and flintlocks. It can't be due to that of a tinder snaplock, 'cuz as far as I know there's very few of us on here (that I can count on 1 hand) owning and shooting them. And even then, most snap 'forward', throwing any debris (if any is to be had) away from the shooter.
You work at Jamestown, right? Are you making your own cord? I surmise it must be from your matchcord, of which the construction inherent in the cord is poor to allow it to brittle and fracture and then fly off. I only get a nice lit head on my cord and ash after the shot, which resides in the pan or falls off ... but it surely doesn't fly off and burn anything.
From your evidence we can see it happening to you, but to me that's and not predictive of all matchlocks and/or all matchcord. Anyways, just a different perspective.
Maybe we should send each other a 3' piece to see if the experience follows the cord?
how you or any matchlock musketeer ever get any burn holes like that on your clothing, never mind up on top of your hat! As I get NONE, never have ... never even 'splashed' from a matchlock (on forearm or body), where in my experience percussion gun nipples splash me more than any other earlier BP ignition method arm.What's is or where is all that 'lit' debris coming from? It cannot be the pan powder, else it would happen with snaphaunces and flintlocks. It can't be due to that of a tinder snaplock, 'cuz as far as I know there's very few of us on here (that I can count on 1 hand) owning and shooting them. And even then, most snap 'forward', throwing any debris (if any is to be had) away from the shooter.
You work at Jamestown, right? Are you making your own cord? I surmise it must be from your matchcord, of which the construction inherent in the cord is poor to allow it to brittle and fracture and then fly off. I only get a nice lit head on my cord and ash after the shot, which resides in the pan or falls off ... but it surely doesn't fly off and burn anything.
From your evidence we can see it happening to you, but to me that's and not predictive of all matchlocks and/or all matchcord. Anyways, just a different perspective.
Maybe we should send each other a 3' piece to see if the experience follows the cord?
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Why is that? Are the sparks from the flintlock much hotter than the match?
trettie
Matchlocks and Flintlocks
Not debating you ... but I honestly fail to understand
Shooting in rank and file, skirmishing, and yes even target shooting, you will definitely get burn holes. It may be less common when shooting by yourself from a bench.
I get it and thanks for the input, but whether alone at a range or in rank & file formation next to someone else ... Jay's cord and the cord you may speak of, is still fracturing and flying off. At least with "my cord", I don't even get splashed on the forearm or body - just a different outcome using a different cord.
Hence, it must be cord related. I bought my initial supply of matchcord from 'Crossbow48' who used to run and host the Metamuseum site, which had a ton of matchlock info on it. I did save his matchcord making info, if anyone is interested.
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