Gentlemen, if speed of ignition is the goal, would one of you please explain to us WHY you are still using the Quill method of charge ignition. Mike and I both used Quills back in the dinosaur days of our cannon firing experience BEFORE we discovered Black Match. The unwaxed paper straws we used were charged with 3F BP and were very fragile, absorbed moisture easily,and generally were a pain to use.
After ignition they burned very well and were sure fire in their ignition task, but they were not real fast and produced a six foot torch-like flame.
Since about 1979 we have been using Black Match which is simply a cotton string saturated with a BP and water slurry, (thick like porridge) and hung up to dry. Black Match is what you wrap with Kraft paper to make Quick Match which provides almost instant ignition like 100 feet in two seconds FAST! Now the size of the Black Match is about the only critical thing you must figure out. It must not be larger than 2/3 the vent size(usually about .200"), or a little smaller, like 1/8" (.125"). This is to provide air-space which allows PRE-HEATING of the portion of the Match ahead of the flame.
We found, by actual use, that the vent's metal acts just like the Kraft paper in Quickmatch and reflects some of the heat from the burning Black Match ahead to pre-heat it which makes it go really fast, about two to three times as fast as a powder-loaded quill. By pinching the Black Match just outside the vent you can light it with anything, even the most wimpy slow match which nobody here owns, but we have seen a few of.
Help us understand what there is to love about quills,
Mike and Tracy