Vent hole size

[Boz330]

I just installed a vent liner in a flinchlock trade gun. The hole is .028" the only thing that will go through it is a straight pin. What is the recommended size?

Bob

[Nobade]

I have found 1/16" or .0625" is a little too small for my rifle and it fires better at about .070", with the inside of the vent counterbored almost to the front so I can see powder in there when it is loaded. The absolute size also depends on how coarse the powder you use is - bigger bores can use bigger vents because of the bigger powder.

-Nobade

[Mike Brooks]

I use 1/16" in all the guns I build.

[fouronesix]

Start small and work up. Seems like too small retards ignition and hurts reliability, too large and there's too much vent excitement . Somewhere in between is usually the best compromise.

[Hanshi]

All my guns are drilled to 1/16" and are as reliable as the sunrise. I don't want them any larger; and as it is I still sometimes get a few kernels of self prime shaken out.

[Boz330]

I drilled it out to .052. I can always go bigger if this doesn't work. Thanks for the input.

Bob