Dave...

Renegade's NEVER did have brass!! And... I'm truly amazed that you conceded that "even bore butter" works as a patch lube...LOL!

newtraditions,

All of the advice you've been given so far is good. These fellas know what there talking about so listen up when they speak. Here's some advice I'll offer up... if you're new to shooting a flintlock, try priming the pan and firing the lock without loading the rifle. Do it just as if you would if you're going to bench shoot it or offhand. Do it a number of times until you're somewhat comfortable with the flash going off so close to your face. THEN load the rifle and shoot. This is something that many first time flintlock shooters have trouble dealing with... the flinch that comes with not being used to having a ball of fire so close to their face. It's commonly referred to as "flinter's flinch".

Another thing.... DON'T fill the flash pan with priming powder. You only need a few grains of powder to get a good shower of sparks heading into the vent liner (or touch hole if you will). I would guess that your rifle has the earlier style T/C vent liner and they work, but they're not the best. Try RMC sports or contact T/C about getting one of their new version vent liners and replace it, keep the old one for a spare. Get yourself a good quality brass pan primer (plunger type) from Track of the Wolf, RMC, or T/C and use it to charge your pan. They usually dispense about 3 grains of powder, which is good.

91% isopropyl alcohol is your friend... use it to keep your flint, frizzen face, and pan wiped clean. Moisten (not saturate) a piece of cloth with it and use it to wipe the surfaces while shooting, it dries in seconds. Use a vent pick to keep the vent open between shots. There are many styles available, the one I like has a retractable piano wire, but a pipe cleaner will work until you get something more permanent.

Welcome to the wonderful world of flintlock shooting! May your trials and tribulations be enjoyable. Good luck and enjoy that flinter!

BPS