Keith, Busta, others using the 25 system

[john keyes]

I'm about ready boys...I'm wanting it for the blowback issue, if the accuracy improves that will just be an added bonus, the gun is a SHOOTER now with the 209 carriers...

so my question after looking at all the old threads and sticky..

how many shots is the prb plug good for, should I order a couple of em...

thanks

[Busta]

John,

I really don't know for sure how many shots the plug will be good for. I have had mine for three years and have not noticed any enlargement of the flash hole. I also have a dozen muzzleloaders and shoot 8 of them so it may take me a lifetime to wear it out. Seriously, I would estimate that it would last somewhere in the 300-500 shot range before the flash hole would enlarge to the point of needing replacement. I also have several types of plugs and am currently using a custom 209 plug shooting BH209.

The .25 ACP plug is GREAT for loose powders such as 777, Pyrodex, Black Mag'3, etc. It nearly eliminates the blowback and I would recommend it.

The only reason I would consider buying more than one is future availability. They are no longe making the NEF's, so I don't know if they will always offer the plug or not. I guess you could ask Cecil.

[Nick Allen]

Not trying to hi jack this thread but. Busta, I couldn't help to see that you said before the flash hole would enlarge to the point of needing replacement. What measurement would this be? Just curious here.

Thanks
Nick

[Busta]

Not trying to hi jack this thread but. Busta, I couldn't help to see that you said before the flash hole would enlarge to the point of needing replacement. What measurement would this be? Just curious here.

Thanks
Nick

Nick,

I don't know for sure what that would be, or even if would enlarge after several hundred shots. I would guess that it starts out in the .030" to .035" range, so around .040" would be my guess for needing replacement. Remember that the 25 ACP case seals, unlike the 209 primer carriers, so that should cut back on erosion. That would be another question for Cecil, he would know what the size of the flash hole is and the "average" life expectancy of one would be by now I'd think.

There are too many variables that come into play. Plug hardness, powder used, weight of bullets used, pressure, cleaning method, etc. The list just goes on and on.

Let me put it to you this way, I doubt I'll ever wear mine out to an unusable state, and I have never heard of anyone else that has either. The 300 to 500 I posted earlier is a comparison of the T/C plugs life expectancy using 209 primers (much more pressure), as I think the PR plugs are made from the same material, maybe the same vendor. All questions that should be answered by Cecil at PR.

[Nick Allen]

Thanks for the reply Busta. Remember we were talking about breech plugs a while back? Well..... I have come up with a few prototypes.  Which was reason for the question above. Flash hole size.......... I have made various plugs with different size flash holes. Ranging from .035"-.059" I have to admit that I haven't fully tested them for accuracy yet. But from what I have done, there hasn't been much, if any difference, using 85 gr 777 and a 300 gr Hornady 45 cal. sst sabot bullet.

I do know, that with the .25 acp I was getting a slight hang fire, which drove my interest further into the 209 primer and the flash hole size. The small flash hole is what I think to be one of the problems with the severe blowback. The primer mix has no place to go, other than back, instead of down the barrel. The plugs I have made are from 304 SS and utilize no carrier. Maybe I'm totally backwards in my thinking, but time will tell.

Thanks man
Nick