I posted a few weeks ago about suddenly getting flash in the pans after a few shots. Got a lot of good advice and info. I believe I have isolated the problem. After a few shots the small hole of the patent breach becomes slightly fouled (?)and if I just dump the powder down the bore it bottle necks on top of the small hole. I didn't swab or clean but started to trickle 3 to 5 grain of powder in and gave the butt a few bumps on a piece of wood to settle it, I then dumped the remaining load. I had 100% ignition each time following that procedure.
I appears the small hole is 4.5 mm (.177") as a 3/16" rod won't go through , a brush and mop for a .17 cal. works good while a .22 brush is to tight. I checked my caplock Hawken and Deer hunter (all Traditions) and they were the same, yet never had an issue with those rifles. So, would it be a bad idea to open that hole up a little to help the powder fall in, or am I asking for trouble ? I feel 3F would work better but I just bought 5 lbs. of 2F back in Feb, so I'd like to keep using that powder. Another thought was would it be okay to start the load with 3 to 5 grains of 4F followed by the 50 grain load of 2F powder ? I seem to remember reading someone who did this to improve ignition while hunting. Any advice or thoughts ? -Thanks
I appears the small hole is 4.5 mm (.177") as a 3/16" rod won't go through , a brush and mop for a .17 cal. works good while a .22 brush is to tight. I checked my caplock Hawken and Deer hunter (all Traditions) and they were the same, yet never had an issue with those rifles. So, would it be a bad idea to open that hole up a little to help the powder fall in, or am I asking for trouble ? I feel 3F would work better but I just bought 5 lbs. of 2F back in Feb, so I'd like to keep using that powder. Another thought was would it be okay to start the load with 3 to 5 grains of 4F followed by the 50 grain load of 2F powder ? I seem to remember reading someone who did this to improve ignition while hunting. Any advice or thoughts ? -Thanks