Last year I purchased a used stainless KP1 with both a 30-06 barrel and a ML in 50 caliber. The ML barrel came with both the FPJ and bare 209 breech plugs, the FPJ plug appears to have never been used and still hasn't. My only ML experience prior to this purchase was a TC Renegade using Pyrodex and black powder; I never shot it much, just sighted it in before hunting season and once in a while when shooting with friends. It always went bang when it was supposed to.
When I first shot the ML barrel in the KP1, I used loose pyrodex, regular Winchester 209 shotgun primers, and Maxi balls that I cast myself. I experienced several hang fires, and I attributed it to the age of the pyrodex, which was purchased in the mid 90s. I also did a little reading and found that the primers were not what was recommended for Pyrodex. I purchased some triple 7 powder and the "correct" Winchester 777 primers and had no issues while sighting it in, I got great accuracy and immediate ignition. My favorite projectile is a 350 grain bullet I cast for my 45-70 in Harvester Crush Rib Sabots which combined with 100 grain equivalent charge of 777 has proved to be a very accurate combo.
When I took the KP1 hunting, I had a huge problem. On the last day of the ML season, I tracked a decent buck to his bed. He and I saw each other about the same time and he stood up facing me about 60 yards away. I put the crosshairs on his throat and when I pulled the trigger heard only a pop. The primer failed to ignite the triple 7. The temperature was about 25 degrees when this happened so I don't know if that contributed to the failure to fire. About an hour later, when I was back at my truck, I the gun fired exactly as it should. I am very careful when cleaning the ML and pay special attention to the breech plug and I hope that a dirty plug was not the problem.
I am now considering Blackhorn 209 as powder but am concerned about ignition issues with it in my KP1. The FPJ and bare 209 breech plugs are very different. The bare plug has a convex surface while the FPJ plug is deeply concave and appears to have a shorter flash channel even when you consider the primer sits on top of it. Why? The FPJ flash channel will accept a 1/8 inch drill bit, the bare plug flash hole is considerably narrower. Both flash holes are the same diameter. I get a lot of blowback with the bare plug, and I can see that the primer is just below flush when seated. The primer is also loose in that there is side to side movement when seated. Would shimming help with that? I would prefer to use Blackhorn 209 and the bare plug and not have to mess with the FPJ but I would like some expert advice before I commit to something thinking it might not work.
When I first shot the ML barrel in the KP1, I used loose pyrodex, regular Winchester 209 shotgun primers, and Maxi balls that I cast myself. I experienced several hang fires, and I attributed it to the age of the pyrodex, which was purchased in the mid 90s. I also did a little reading and found that the primers were not what was recommended for Pyrodex. I purchased some triple 7 powder and the "correct" Winchester 777 primers and had no issues while sighting it in, I got great accuracy and immediate ignition. My favorite projectile is a 350 grain bullet I cast for my 45-70 in Harvester Crush Rib Sabots which combined with 100 grain equivalent charge of 777 has proved to be a very accurate combo.
When I took the KP1 hunting, I had a huge problem. On the last day of the ML season, I tracked a decent buck to his bed. He and I saw each other about the same time and he stood up facing me about 60 yards away. I put the crosshairs on his throat and when I pulled the trigger heard only a pop. The primer failed to ignite the triple 7. The temperature was about 25 degrees when this happened so I don't know if that contributed to the failure to fire. About an hour later, when I was back at my truck, I the gun fired exactly as it should. I am very careful when cleaning the ML and pay special attention to the breech plug and I hope that a dirty plug was not the problem.
I am now considering Blackhorn 209 as powder but am concerned about ignition issues with it in my KP1. The FPJ and bare 209 breech plugs are very different. The bare plug has a convex surface while the FPJ plug is deeply concave and appears to have a shorter flash channel even when you consider the primer sits on top of it. Why? The FPJ flash channel will accept a 1/8 inch drill bit, the bare plug flash hole is considerably narrower. Both flash holes are the same diameter. I get a lot of blowback with the bare plug, and I can see that the primer is just below flush when seated. The primer is also loose in that there is side to side movement when seated. Would shimming help with that? I would prefer to use Blackhorn 209 and the bare plug and not have to mess with the FPJ but I would like some expert advice before I commit to something thinking it might not work.