Powder for Kentucky Rifle

[South Texas KY]

I just bought a Kentucky rifle and am having trouble getting the powder to ignite in the barrel. Its a percussion and I usually have to go through 3 caps to get the thing to fire. I bought FFFG Pyrodex powder and I am thinking I should have bought FFG. Will this help? What else can I do?

I am also having trouble getting the ball started in the barrel. I put the patch around the ball and have to push way too hard to get it started. I am pushing hard enough to cut the ball with the ball starter. Any tips for this as well?

 

[Aries-]

you may want to try and get ahold of some normal black powder. the caps might not be hot enough to ignight the pyrodex which is kind of dangerous if it takes 3 to set it off. you could be changing the cap from #2 to #3 and have it go off.

as for the ball you might have a ball thats to big. my dad had the same problem. he got a mould for a .54 ball, but the mould is right on .54 no room for a patch around the ball without slicing the ball and breaking your hand. he went to bass pro and got some of their .54 balls which are actualy .535 or so.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Remove the nipple and clean it of oil. Do this before you go to the range.
At the range, before you load, put a cap on the nipple and fire it off. This ensures that the nipple vent is clear to the chamber. Load.

Now, in loading, you might need a short starter that has an end that is 1/4" long. This is used to force the ball just barely down the barrel. The longer end (3-4") is used to force it further down. If you don't have one, make one. Use a round wood ball, drill two holes that are perpendicular to one another. Insert wood dowel rod such that 1/4" sticks out of one hole (glue in place) and a longer dowel rod such that 3-4" sticks out. After the ball is 3-4" down, then use the ramrod to run it home. Oh, on the ball size and patch size, that's something you have to figure out via trial and error to see what works best for accuracy in your gun. It may not have to be so tight but each gun is different.

Try two brands of caps. One may be better than the other. Occasionally, while in the course of shooting a string, before you load, use your nipple pick and poke it down the nipple to ensure that it is clear.

 

[arcticap]

Please read these threads to help solve your common problem. Pyrodex should ignite reliably in most guns without a nipple problem of some sort, maybe try a better nipple or conversion system as suggested in the threads, but only if all else fails. FFFg or Pyrodex P is preferable to help with ignition problems. Some old drums have narrow channel designs and could use a new style drum.
Are your patches lubricated? They should be to more easily ram them.
What size balls and patches are you using? There are different sizes and the combination needs to be matched to fit each gun.
Starting tight loading patched round balls can be assisted by using a wood/plastic mallet and short starter at the muzzle.
Using an accessory ramrod handle attachment or a piece of rubber to grip the ramrod should you get a better grip on the ramrod too.
Does your gun have a clean out screw to help clean powder residue out of the drum, or patent breech? Do you have a nipple pick to clean your nipple flash hole? Do you tap the sides of your gun while tilting it after loading with powder to help settle the powder in the drum/breech? Do you load and ram with your hammer in the half cock position?

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=235211

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=235959

 

[1911 guy]

A few questions for you.

1) What caliber is your rifle?
2) Does it take several caps for every shot, or just the first of the day?
3) What size ball are you using?
4) What are you using for patch material and how thick is it?
5) What are you using for lube?
6) Have you cleaned it? If so, with what?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

If cleaning the nipple doesn't work, then swap out the nipple for an Uncle Mikes Hot Shot. As for the ball and patch being too tight, check the ball diameter, and if it's a proper .440, then go to a thinner patching material. FYI I have seen it happen MANY times with .45 rifles, when you buy round ball, you get .451 (colt type revolver bullets) or .454 (Ruger Old Army bullets) instead of the proper rifle (.440) size. Many of your gun store clerks, IF they are shooters, aren't well versed in black powder.

LD