Priming with 3F

[oncewas]

I'm just curious I'm getting my first flintlock soon and only have 3f powder. So just in case I can't find 4f I need to use 3f what are people who are using 3f using for pan primers? Thanks I'm sure I'll have more questions. Thanks

 

[Winchester97]

Thats all I use in my guns, seems to work great, and cant notice any speed difference between it and 4f. I think I would just call it good and use the 3f. Have fun!

 

[SDSmlf]

I'm just curious I'm getting my first flintlock soon and only have 3f powder. So just in case I can't find 4f I need to use 3f what are people who are using 3f using for pan primers? Thanks I'm sure I'll have more questions. Thanks

3F powder will work fine for charging pan. Many actually use 3F for prime and main charge.

 

[oncewas]

3F powder will work fine for charging pan. Many actually use 3F for prime and main charge.

Sorry I didn't make myself clear. Yes I was planning on using 3f for both the main charge and the pan but what I wanted to know is what are people using to prime the pan? From what I read the "pan primers" work with 4f but I don't see any where that they will work with 3f. Or are people just not using "pan primers" and pouring directly into the pan from the powder horn (which seems incredibly unsafe) or using something else to put 3f into the pan.
I hope that clears up what I'm asking.

 

[Griz44Mag]

No issues. I use 3F OE in all my flintlocks, in the bore and in the pan. Works like it's supposed to.

 

[Historian]

Most pan primers will pour 3Fg just fine. All of mine do. 2Fg is another matter. Have fun.

 

[tenngun]

I prime from my horn, just a little tap tap with my finger
Priming horns or such were rare though not unseen, but mostly is just a another piece to fiddle with.
KISS

 

[Grenadier1758]

Most of my pan primers won't pass 3fg. I have a couple of small horns that will pass 3fg, but why use one of those tiny horns when the main horn works the same as a priming horn. Historically, pan priming pans weren't used. I do use a main horn with a narrow tip to make filling a measure and priming the pan easier.

I did get this priming flask from Track of the Wolf. Flint priming flask, with free flow valve, brass - Track of the Wolf
It will allow 3fg to flow freely and is slightly easier than the main horn. Sometimes you simply think you need to have the gadget even though you really may not need it.

 

[Brokennock]

I use whatever powder I'm using for my main charge as my prime. I mostly prime from my horn, but, I did make a small antler "primer," with no valve just pours like a regular horn only through a much smaller hole, for better control. I plan to do some trials pouring a tiny bit of powder into my powder measure after loading and priming from that to see if it gives me more control than priming straight from the horn, without having to carry the extra primer. I do find that with larger grain powder as prime, less is more, too much of it really seems to slow things down.

 

[tenngun]

I’ve got some pyrodex. I shoot it in a flint lock. So I throw a kicker of black down it first. I have one of the little two ounce flask, and that works well

 

[Brokennock]

Sorry I didn't make myself clear. Yes I was planning on using 3f for both the main charge and the pan but what I wanted to know is what are people using to prime the pan? From what I read the "pan primers" work with 4f but I don't see any where that they will work with 3f. Or are people just not using "pan primers" and pouring directly into the pan from the powder horn (which seems incredibly unsafe) or using something else to put 3f into the pan.
I hope that clears up what I'm asking.

By the way, you were clear the 1st time...
Folks hear what they want to hear,,, in the case of forums substitute reading for hearing.

 

[oncewas]

I did get this priming flask from Track of the Wolf. Flint priming flask, with free flow valve, brass - Track of the Wolf
It will allow 3fg to flow freely and is slightly easier than the main horn. Sometimes you simply think you need to have the gadget even though you really may not need it.

Yeah I saw that one and wondered if it would work, I also found one by Fort Chambers that is suppose to work but I may just try like every else seems to and just use my powder horn. Then if I have problems or want more control I'll look into one of these or the other.
Thanks everyone most helpful.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@oncewas, This is a photo of my pouch and horns. You can see the fine tip on the main horn and a portion of my priming horn. The priming horn is just about the same size as the main horn.

 

[dave61965]

I picked up a traditions pan primer on clearance when Gander Mountain was closing, 3f goex passes through it fine, mostly I just prime from a horn or flask, whichever I happen to be carrying at the time.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002294537

 

[SDSmlf]

Sorry I didn't make myself clear. Yes I was planning on using 3f for both the main charge and the pan but what I wanted to know is what are people using to prime the pan? From what I read the "pan primers" work with 4f but I don't see any where that they will work with 3f. Or are people just not using "pan primers" and pouring directly into the pan from the powder horn (which seems incredibly unsafe) or using something else to put 3f into the pan.
I hope that clears up what I'm asking.

My apologies. Figured your post had typos and chose to interpret rather than correct. Seem to be ‘wrong’ no matter which way I go. Back to your OP, it will depend. Have some chargers that work with 4F only, others with 3F and 4F. Have also turned some charger plungers on a lathe to increase or decrease amount of powder discharged. You will have to try with your charger to see how it works.

 

[Historian]

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/73/1/FLASK-PP-FFThis is the pan primer I use and 3Fg flows pretty easy through it. Love it.

 

[BullRunBear]

I've used both 3F and 4F powder to prime the pan and can't tell a difference in speed of ignition or reliability. I happen to use 4F because I was given several pounds of Goex 4F. (That's a LOT of priming.) And I use a small brass spring loaded charger to prime the pan as it gives me more control. If I still hunted I would prime from the horn to keep things simple.

Jeff

 

[mmb617]

Interesting discussion. Now I'll have to do some experimenting to find out:

a) will my pan primer flow the 3F, and

B) will my guns work just as well with a 3F prime as they do with a 4F prime.

It would be kind of nice to only have to stock one powder. Not a huge deal though since one pound of 4F does a couple thousand primes.

 

[Flintlock]

Pan primers are for the most part a modern thing. In some cases you are better off using FFFG for priming ( isn't as effected by moisture as bad) I prime from the horn and Use FFG in all my rifles.

 

[tom_in_vt]

Many people carry one horn or 3F and use it for the main charge as well as priming.