Fuse Vs 4F

[clum sum]

I am sure this info is here some where but I can't find it. What are the problems,if any with using 4F to prime a canon? I now use fuse but I would like something faster.
 

[rampa room artillery]

go to one of our sponsers,   cannon fuse.com,  i use there 2 sec per foot fuse,  it is fast,  really really fast!   and alot safer then 4f powder.   and oh yea it cheap,  i ordered several hundred feet for under 100 dollars.


  great stuff.

[Double D]

Using FFFFg over fuse there is less debris in the vent after firing.  FFFg is easier to light. 

If you use an under size vent it is more difficult to get the powder down the vent and a misfire is more likely. Another good reason for a larger vent.

[flagman1776]

A lot of re-enactments require priming with loose powder, fired with a lindstock w/ slow match. 
You do NOT want to pack the vent with powder.  It will cause a hang fire just like a plugged vent in a flintlock.  Rather you want the flame to flash through the partially open hole.  I do the same with a quill...  leave the center open. 

[Artilleryman]

I have used paper straw quills loaded with either 4fg and 2fg with my 10 pdr Parrott.  The 4fg was a little easier to light but had a relatively long burn time.  The 2fg was harder to light but burned very fast.

[PaulB]

Quills made using cellophane tape coated with 4fg inside a thin straw go off instantly. My favorite!

[Double D]

We are giving you the pros and cons here.  You evaluate what you want to use.

[clum sum]

Many Thanks!
         And isn't this a great place to meet Good People.

[flagman1776]

I use plastic coffee stirrers.  Cut to length on bevel.  I use a pipe cleaner dipped in rubber cement, run through the stirrer.  I use a plastic pour spout on the original 4F can...  cut to just accept the stirrer tip.  Tip the can & allow 4F to flow through into an appropriate catch container (I use an old alum ice cube tray).  Right the can, remove stirrer.  There will be a blob of rubber cement on the outside of the top, sprinkle with 4F.  Check hole is clear, open with wire (paper clip) if necessary.  Set aside in a drilled block to dry, begin again.  Touch lindstock to the blob outside, fire is instant.
Fast ignition is desireable, before kids, pets, spectators can wander into the safety zone.  It's amazing what can happen in the few seconds it takes for a fuse to burn down. 

[GGaskill]

Just pouring 4F into the vent makes it act like fuse (except for the debris issue); it takes its time to fire the charge.  It's actually better to use a coarser powder in the vent that leaves air passages between the grains so the fire can flash through.  If you are willing to deal with the extra complexity, try the coarsest powder that will go through the vent and 4F in the pan.

[Double D]

my postal match all shot with FFFFg primed vent.

I have a little priming flask I got from track of the wolf for primer the vent. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=1&subId=11&styleId=37&partNum=FLASK-PP-3 . Just depress the stem on the vent and the powder goes in the vent.

As long as I get the burning part of the slow match on the powder the gun fires instantly

[GGaskill]

I thought you were using quills.

[Double D]

I thought you were using quills.

Not in the SAMCC gun.  The quill blocks my view when aiming.  Use quills in ever thing else, unless I run out.