.54 GPR and Pyrodex RS cause slight delay
 

I took my .54 GPR to the range and tried loading it with 90gr. Pyrodex RS with a CCI #11 cap and a PRB and when I let off the trigger there was a slight delay between the cap being popped and the powder charge going off. Now when I use Goex 2F with everything else the same I experience no delay at all. Is there a way to be able to use Pyrodex without getting a delay? Perhaps I ought to try Pyrodex P instead. It works just fine in my Crockett .32.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

RE: .54 GPR and Pyrodex RS cause slight delay
 

Are you sure you popped a few caps before loading to clear the nipple and fire channel? I have never had Pyrodex give me any delay in ignition. Whether Pyrodex P would help, I guess you can only try. I also use Pyrodex P in a couple of rifles but like I said, I never had any igniton problems with it. Are you using the original Lyman nipple? I have heard people had problems with them.... just a thought.

RE: .54 GPR and Pyrodex RS cause slight delay
 

Yes I popped a couple of caps before shooting and I am using a Hot Shot nipple. It is strange. The delay is very slight, but it is noticeable. I thought the Pyrodex P may touch off a bit faster.

RE: .54 GPR and Pyrodex RS cause slight delay
 

Pyrodex P might fire off a little faster but I will doubt you could notice the difference. I shoot Goex and even though it is dirty stuff, I like it better then Pyrodex. Goex just works, no matter what rifle you load it in.

RE: .54 GPR and Pyrodex RS cause slight delay
 

I hear ya. I just thought for hunting that Pyrodex has a slightly higher velocity than the Goex.

RE: .54 GPR and Pyrodex RS cause slight delay
 

Sounds like the Pyrodex got contaminated with moisture. Maybe last time at the range? Did you take the whole jug to the range? Where do you keep your powders? The Goexhas re-drying capabilities. I always use FFF/P with my sidelocks to help avoid stuff like this.The finer granules are easier toflow thru the powder channels - then under the nipple.

I would try to resolve the remaining RS powder hang-fire by laying out some plain white sheets of computer paper on a flat surface & spreading out the powder for a day or-so in a dry environment to remove any moisture it might have. Don't use anypaper with ink & pinch loose any clumps found in the jug of powder.

Then try it again at the range. If the weather is not favorable, only take the amount of powder you need. When you return home, don't put the range powder back in the original jug. Use it for range work only.

When all else fails... change the nipple & powder. It's possible the nipple is at fault here & only ignites the Goex instantly because Goex ignites easier than Pyrodex.

RE: .54 GPR and Pyrodex RS cause slight delay
 

Some people tell me they put 5g FFF in the rifle before their main charge (reduced by 5g).

RE: .54 GPR and Pyrodex RS cause slight delay
 

Well I have experienced this with more than one jug of Pyrodex. I live in Colorado and it is very dry here and have never had a problem with moisture, yet! I'm not saying moisture isn't the problem, I've just never experienced any thing like that in the last year. I know that the same jug of Pyrodex goes off just fine in my CVA Kodiak inline. Of course with a 209 primer what wouldn't go off.

I may take your suggestion with the paper and see what I find. I may even try a new nipple. Heck it never hurts. Thanks for the tips.

RE: .54 GPR and Pyrodex RS cause slight delay
 

I had a similar problem with my sidelocks when using Pyrodex RS. I would have random hang fires and even some misfires. when I switched to Pyrodex P all that went away. It went from around 20 to 30% to less than 1% of the time. As mentioned, I think it has something to do with the powder getting down through the fire channel to under the nipple. 2F seems to have more trouble doing that.

Hope this helps.

RE: .54 GPR and Pyrodex RS cause slight delay
 

Never had any luck getting RS to fire reliably in any of my sidelocks. Kept shooting blackpowder. Never did try Pyrodex-P but bet that would work just nicely.