How far should touch hole be from bottom on the pan ?

[kyron4]

Putting a Traditions kit together and the bottom of the hole is about level with the bottom of the pan . Is this okay ? All new to me . -Thanks

 

[Big Bubba]

Putting a Traditions kit together and the bottom of the hole is about level with the bottom of the pan . Is this okay ? All new to me . -Thanks

If you draw a line across the top of the pan, this is where the hole should be centered.

 

[longcruise]

I think Larry Pletcher did timing tests that included touch hole location. If memory serves it didn't seem to matter.

 

[kyron4]

So I should be good ?

 

[kyron4]

I ask because I thought I had read somewhere the bottom of the hole was suppose to be 1/8" above the pan. Seems like a lot, but again this is all new to me.

 

[ord sgt]

You should be good to go.

 

[Ames]

Just don't cover up the hole with the powder when you prime it, and you should be fine.

 

[Art Caputo]

There appears to be a larger shallow hole around the flash hole which gets the it off the very bottom of the pan. I would prime to just below the the bottom of the recessed flash hole. I have generally gotten faster ignition when the priming powder was kept below the flash hole, preferably with the flash hole in the sunset position to the top flat of the pan.

 

[kyron4]

Thanks guys, crisis adverted lol

 

[david w]

What is the diameter of the touch hole? It look a bit big to me.

 

[Flintlock]

You can deepen the pan a hair if needed but it looks good to go, you won't want to use much prime.

 

[Timber Wolf]

Just don't cover up the hole with the powder when you prime it, and you should be fine.

This^. I have been surprised at times how well ignition is with just a dab of 4f that doesn’t look like enough. And a picked touch hole, wiped pan and frizzen, sharp well adjusted flint, etc., etc. The journey is the fun!

 

[EC121]

It will work fine as is. But because I like to tinker, I would grind the pan bottom to down to the edge of the countersink. Mostly just for looks and to prevent the flame from burning the edge of the lock plate.

 

[DuncNZ]

I have a J P Beck type .40 rifle by Narragansett Arms , it always had slow ignition . Last lockdown I had a look at the lock , which is a small Queen Anne Flint lock . The flash hole was right at the bottom of the pan . I ground out the bottom of the pan with my Dremel tool . I took it down about 1/8th of an inch and shaped it . The difference is dramatic , it went off so fast the first time I tried it I nearly dropped the rifle . The rifle has gone from the back of my gun safe to the front , and comes with me every time I go to the range .

 

[DuncNZ]

If you are interested in flintlock ignition and powder placement in the pan read this . Part 1 — Black Powder Ignition Characteristics It takes a bit but it is worth it . If you cant be bothered reading it all then skip to this Part 5 — Timing Powder locations in Pan

And watch the video . This changed my ideas completely when it came to priming the pan .

 

[kyron4]

If you are interested in flintlock ignition and powder placement in the pan read this . Part 1 — Black Powder Ignition Characteristics It takes a bit but it is worth it . If you cant be bothered reading it all then skip to this Part 5 — Timing Powder locations in Pan

And watch the video . This changed my ideas completely when it came to priming the pan .

That was an excellent read. Very informative. -Thank you.

 

[kyron4]

What is the diameter of the touch hole? It look a bit big to me.

Not sure, I'll measure it with a pin gage in the morning. It's the liner that came with the kit.

 

[toot]

Putting a Traditions kit together and the bottom of the hole is about level with the bottom of the pan . Is this okay ? All new to me . -Thanks

View attachment 126285
View attachment 126284

to me it looks to be spot on perfect!! I wish my guns were located that good!?

 

[mmb617]

I built the Traditions Kentucky rifle kit and my touch hole is aligned exactly like in your pictures. As others have mentioned it doesn't need much powder in the pan at all. My rifle fires quite reliably.

I never measured the diameter of the touch holes in any of my Traditions flintlocks (I have 5), but I use the stock 5mm threaded ones and have no problems.

 

[1971fx]

Old Brown Bess