Vent Pick

[Mr Peabody]

How many believe you need to put wire or pick in the flash hole of your flintlock before pouring your powder down the barrel?
Just curious.

[Baron von Trollwhack]

Only the one that don't know better.

BvT

[fouronesix]

Leave a short feather sticking out of the vent when charging…. really impresses the audience. ;)

[Mk42gunner]

I never did.

Come to think of it, I can't remember ever having to unclog a flash hole on a flintlock.

Robert

[waksupi]

I never do.

[wgr]

it was to keep the air out. in case there was a hot ember left keep it from going off

[fouronesix]

After hearing of the practice, I piddled around with putting a wire or toothpick into the vent during pouring of main charge, then removing prior to charging the pan and shooting. The only halfway viable theory from those who use the method goes something like: "it keeps the vent clear of main charge powder so the vent won't 'fuse' during ignition".

I didn't notice any difference one way or the other. But the feather looks cool.

I have no idea about putting something in the vent to smother a latent ember in the breech area. That doesn't seem very plausible.

[OverMax]

I change out my vent liner every year. Doing so I'm sure helps keep the V/L's thread from fouling. Never had pick one clean so far.

[DIRT Farmer]

Rarely in some weather conditions there will be a cap of red fouling form over the touch hole. I look every time at the touch hole and check the flint. A miss fire is a lost target and can determine the outcome of a match.
I generaly shoot shotguns and trade guns with shot. A feather in the touch hole works well for hunting in the rain.

[Mr Peabody]

Thanks for taking a minute to answer my question. I've tried both ways of loading and for the life of me I can't see any difference.

[45 Dragoon]

Wow!
So ignition is instantaneous? If its not, now you know why you should.


Mike