Using pyrodex pellets in caplock muzzleloader

[RDavidP]

Has anyone tried using pyrodex pellets in a caplock muzzleloader?  I bought a caplock and the book said that because it is  a caplock, pyrodex pellets may not consistently ignite.  Anyone have problems with pellets?

Thanks.

[roundball]

Has anyone tried using pyrodex pellets in a caplock muzzleloader?  I bought a caplock and the book said that because it is  a caplock, pyrodex pellets may not consistently ignite.  Anyone have problems with pellets?
Thanks.

I've tried them in TC Hawken caplocks, and the results are as advertised...poor and unreliable.

The reason is that BP substitutes have a much higher ignition temperature than real BP, and when using pellets, there's no loose powder to "bump" over into the nipple fire channel.

Without a few loose kernels of powder in the nipple fire channel to jump start some fire to the main charge, the nipple flame by itself usually can't reach/ignite a pellet physically way over in the barrel.

This is particularly made worse if using pellets in a rifle such as a TC that has a patent breech plug design...because in that case, the pellet is not only sitting over to the left of the nipple, it is also sitting higher up above the nipple fire channel...so flame really has to go through some contortions to even reach a pellet, and a #11 primer is just not a flame thrower so to speak.

And even in inlines, when pellets first came out they weren't 100% reliable, so a special "ignitor ring" was added to the manufacturing process which is the dark black band you'll see painted on one end of a Pyrodex pellet...it ignites easier than the pellet itself, then it aids in igniting the pellet's powder.

The only way to reliably use pellets in regular sidelocks is to use a small amount of loose powder down bore first, then seat the pellets down on that, however, while that actually works, I found it to be more trouble than it's worth.

PS:
TC has introduced the "Firestorm" model which has a redesigned breech plug so that pellets can be used in it...a percussion and a flintlock version.

[RDavidP]

The only loose powder I have is pyrodex revolver, the FFFg equivalent.  Would I be able to use a maybe 20-30 grains of this on the bottom of a 50 grain pellet?  That would give me a little over the minimum load, and allow me to shoot it tomorrow.  None of the stores in my area that carry pyrodex are open Sunday.  This is a 50 caliber.

[roundball]

Absolutely...I used 20grns Goex 3F (like Pyrodex-P) under 50, 60, 70, 80grns Pyrodex-RS...works perfectly, normal consistency and accuracy.

Pour it down...bum-bump the lock area to ensure it settles down into the fire channel, then drop in a pellet, etc.

[Ramrod]

Well now I'm kind confused. Could someone please tell me the advantages of using pellets, at around $35. a pound, compared to real blackpowder, or even loose Pyrodex? And why mix blackpowder and Pyrodex in the same load? If you have access to real powder, why mess with substitutes?

[lostid]

you would be confused,,you have too many 100's of post,, all over this web-sight too understand,,Please; let us bp fellers alone too help each other,,watch; and learn.

please, :roll:  please?

[roundball]

Well now I'm kind confused. Could someone please tell me the advantages of using pellets, at around $35. a pound, compared to real blackpowder, or even loose Pyrodex? And why mix blackpowder and Pyrodex in the same load? If you have access to real powder, why mess with substitutes?

 
Not sure if your question is a general philosopical one or if you directed it to me...for the record, I just answered the gentleman's questions.

As to the price of pellets, that's an individual's financial concern, not ours.

I used to use loose Pyrodex and then pellets years ago in inlines, and sidelock percussions, and spoke from experience regarding the questions he asked.

I switched to Goex a few years ago when I transitioned to Flintlocks, and now it's the powder I use for everything it's so reliable, fast, clean, and accurate.

When I made the transition, I had several pounds of good Pyrodex RS still on the shelf, so not to waste it, I used "layered loads" at the range consisting of 20grns Goex as an ignitor charge, followed by whatever amount of Pyrodex I need to finish up the charge amount I wanted.

This individual may have similar ideas or needs...

[RDavidP]

I bought my gun Saturday evening and all I had at home was Pyrodex pellets and Pyrodex P, which is FFFg equivalent for my revolvers.  I wanted to shoot my gun Sunday at the range.  All the places local to me that carried Pyrodex Rifle powder are closed Sunday, and it is next to impossible to find black powder (Thanks to the People's Republic of Maryland).  That is why I used both pellets and powder.  Pellets because that is all I had to use for the rifle, and let loose pistol powder to ignite the pellets.  Now that it is Monday, I can now go to the gun shop and buy rifle powder.

By the way Roundball, thanks for the advice.  The gun is a CVA Bobcat 50 caliber sidelock (yeah I know it is a cheap gun but it actually performs).  To get it to go off reliably, I have to remove a screw underneath the nipple, pour in a little bit of powder, and put the screw back on.  It will go off then, and will consistently knock the center out of the target at 50 yards.