With all the postings about caplocks that
DON'T go boom when the trigger is pulled, let me tell all you modern day
(Caplock or later!) shooters how us "Real" muzzleloaders (flint lock shooters)
get to have a boom, even in the rain!
The secret is something which was first called "Dry Powder" but is now known
as "Rain-Coat". It is manufactured by MSM (Mountain States Mfg.)
of Vienna, WV. A link to one seller is listed below. There are
others since I know that my current supply of "Rain-Coat" did not come from
MSM but I don't recall where that was.
This "Rain-Coat" is a VERY fine, VERY light weight white powder that coats
the priming powder and repels moisture so effectively that I have actually
demonstrated its effectiveness bu floating a small quantity of 4F of a cupful
of water, leaving it there for a minute or so and then touching it off with
nothing but a spark from the lockworks of my flinter. I do not know
what the chemical composition is but it is so low in density that when you
pick up a full 4 oz. plastic bottle of it you will think that the bottle
is empty!
It is used for coating the priming powder in a mix, by volume, in a six parts
(originally with "Dry Powder, four parts) priming powder to one part of "Rain-Coat".
I will also mix "Rain-Coat" in a 8 to 1 mix of main barrel charge powder
when I am heading out in the rain or expect rain to start while I am out
hunting. I also take a small dab from my finger and rub it on the frizzen,
priming pan, touchole and barrel around the touchole. Water will NOT
even flow onto those areas. I do not see why a similar result won't
occur with one of them new fangled cap shooting guns if you put some "Rain-Coat"
around the nipple area.
I can not detect any slowing of the ignition in the main charge when I am
using "Rain-Coat" and use it in the priming charge all the time, rain or
shine.
In case there are any other "good old time muzzleloader" (rock lockers) on
this list, if you want to dramatically improve your ignition chances, you
may want to consider using "Dura-Flints". I bought six of them about
three years ago and currently I am still using the first edge of the flint,
one each on my 45 and 54 cal. rifles. I have NEVER has a failure to
ignite the pan charge when using this flint. I also bought a diamond
file to sharpen it as is suggested by the manufacturer but so far I have
not had occasion to use it. The contact info I have for the manufacturer
is
ELKK Enterprises
P.O. Box 871
Port Hueneme, CA 93044
E-mail: elkkent@hotmail.com
This info is about three years old and on one of the muzzle loader lists
I just took a look at there is an indication that it may no longer be correct
but it is the best i can do.
http://www.cainsoutdoor.com/cart/asp/select_item.asp?item=18001