Originally Posted by
Semisane
I just don't share that opinion Sabotloader. I don't think such gas cutting exists. With Teflon tape you may get the tape pushed back from the first thread or two, but nothing past that. If that's the case, the only real issue is crud build up in the gap left between the face of the plug and the plug stop, requiring a little extra cleaning care.
We will have to agree to disagree... Teflon tape or grease is no match for gas pressure with a route to escape. And with loose threads there will be a route.
As for the force of blow back on the threads, it seems to me it is the same whether the plug is snug or not. I know some guys stop screwing the plug as soon as it contacts the stop and do not tighten it down. In that case the mechanical situation is the same as a plug backed out a small bit.
If the threads are not tight they have lost a lot of their strength. Put a nut in a vise scew a bolt in the nut then hit the end of the bolt with a hammer many times. Do the same thing again with the bolt tightened against the nut with no movement - see which one last the longest. Actually ask the space shuttle guys what happens with loose bolts.
Are there any mechanical engineers out there? What are the force dynamics on a threaded bolt - tightened vs. untightened.
Threads were never meant to hold securely if they are not tightened - it doubles the strength vs. loose.
I suspect the critical factor is the number of threads in contact with each other, not pressure against a stop. Tightening a bolt is important so as to prevent it's loosening and backing out. But backing out is not really an issue in a muzzle loader, and clearly impossible with models such as Omegas, Knight Visions, and others where theres a breech face against the rear of the plug.
Actually Lehigh Dave found that after a certain number of threads - extra threads do not increase the strength of the tightened bolt.
I also think if you talk to any manufacturer they will tell you the BP snug - not loose.