John:

Don't forget that flintlocks work best with real black powder, IE: GOEX. The substitutes, Pyrodex and Triple 7 do not work in flintlocks (well they can be made to work in flintlocks but it is a pain to do so).

Use FFFFG ("4F") in the pan and either FFG or FFFG (2F or 3F) as your primary charge. DO NOT use FFFFG as your primary charge.

The more Fs the finer the powder: 3F is finer than 2F, 4F is finer than 3F and 2F.

The finer the powder, the faster it burns. The faster it burns, the faster it builds pressure. 4F is great in the pan because it lights very easy and burns super fast-great for getting in to a vent hole and setting off a charge. But that fast burning also builds pressure too quickly for a barrel.

2F or 3F can be used in the pan. But unless you have a real good sparking flint you will not get the same consistentcy as you would with 4F.

Have fun out there-flintlocks are a lot of fun!
~Robert