Ron,

When using Knight Bolt Action Muzzleloaders such as the Extreme or Elite, you are fighting another problem which is primer protrusion into the .180" diameter firing pin hole in the bolt face once the primer is sealed tight to the breechplug. Opening up the flame channel to .156" or even a little larger reduces the amount of pressure that the primer sees as it takes longer for this larger volume in the breechplug to pressurize. When the primers protrudes in these guns the are difficult to remove, removal of the bolt worst case, and leak around the primer cup smudgeing up the bolt face (smaller issue). I have used the .125" flame channel with a proper headspaced primer and have had no issues with ignition in these guns. I has only tested mine to single digit temperatures and not below zero. All my breechplug modifying experience is with Knight Extremes and Elites. I believe what you are doing is the right thing for you guns. This is not an exact science yet.

Jim

Ain't that the truth.

Sabotloader indicated he believes an OAL with the W209 in place of 1.310" would be about right. What do you think?

ronlaughlin

Remember I was taking a shot in the dark, because i do not have a CVA in the house, nor do I plan to, but from the inforamtion that you have given and some of the information given by MD, + one other thing I think you have to factor in... not every gun is built the same... that is where the 1.310 imerged. I think you need to be a little long (deep) vs. shallow just to get the gun closed. Yes - NO?

One thing I would have to re-consider is if you supplied MD with a 1.300 and it seems to be OK with him and your thought was it should be 1.305... which he felt was to loose.... The 1.310 would probably be to long.... Without a model gun to work with it is all a guess from this end...

Another question for you Ron... Are your primer pockets tapered? From wide at the month to more narrow as you go down the walls? I think we have that this is also an advantage to get blow back free as well as relieving blow back pressure on the nose of the primer.

You are right theory is theory, but there is some science and math in there also when you consider 'volume' of a space the time it takes to fill that space. Believe me... I am not smart enough to figure the theory stuff out, I just try it an make a back yard evaluation from there and from what I have seen in the last year - it all makes a difference.

Initially this new BP design was done with a lot thought, calculating, and experimenting to come up with the BP that would function the best in all environments.

and again I just shoot it.

That sure is true, that not every rifle is the same.

If the OAL is too long the rifle won't go into battery. If it is just a tiny bit too long the rifle will go into battery, but one can't pull the hammer all the way back. What one does then, is close the action with vigor, and get a 'crush' of the primer, which results in zero blow by.

My primer pockets are not tapered.

Shooting the rifles is the best part.