How hot is the flame of a percussion cap?

[Widows Son]

I bought some 5A blasting powder and some firecracker powder, both of which have been in storage for several years, but kept dry.

I haven’t yet tried to shoot any, but I have touched a match to a teaspoon of it. It was quite hard to ignite and I actually laid the burning match on the pile for a couple of seconds before it ignited. Once it did it burned like any other black powder. Instantaneously poof!

Hence my question. If a bare naked flame applied to the powder takes a couple of seconds to ignite it, does a percussion cap burn hotter than an ordinary kitchen match?

 

[APG]

I bought some 5A blasting powder and some firecracker powder, both of which have been in storage for several years, but kept dry.

I haven’t yet tried to shoot any, but I have touched a match to a teaspoon of it. It was quite hard to ignite and I actually laid the burning match on the pile for a couple of seconds before it ignited. Once it did it burned like any other black powder. Instantaneously poof!

Hence my question. If a bare naked flame applied to the powder takes a couple of seconds to ignite it, does a percussion cap burn hotter than an ordinary kitchen match?

I don't know but would be interested in finding out. Several times I've been tempted to buy black powder other than the Fg type. It is quite a bit cheaper.

 

[snakebit]

Don't quote me on this, as my memory is manure. I remember reading somewhere in a book that they are in the neighborhood of 3000 degrees. Also, I believe the author stated that varied by manufacturer. It was a borrowed book, the name escapes me. A hunting related book for sure.

 

[Pete G]

Some firecracker powder is powdered magnesium and should NEVER be put down a gun barrel.