Breech Plugs and Primers 10-7-24

We offer several options for breech plugs and ignition systems to use in Patriot muzzleloaders, as well as other rifles and builds. Patriot muzzleloaders come with a standard, general purpose plug. This plug is primarily for black powder and some substitutes.

209 Primers are the most popular means of ignition used in inline muzzleloaders, but not the most practical. The length and diameter variations of 209 primers make things a bit complicated. In order to make a breech plug to accept any 209 primer, it must have a pocket depth and diameter slightly over the size of the longest and largest diameter primer. This means some will fit better than others, and we have zero control over the fit. For many years 209 primers have been used in .50 calibers and most of the time spent primers can be removed with fingers. This is because .50 calibers do not create pressures as high as .45 and .40 calibers. The popularity of .45 calibers is rapidly increasing due to high performance powder options, like Blackhorn 209 and many smokeless options. Blackhorn 209 in particular requires a hot flame to achieve reliable ignition. Plug designs with long flame channels can and have been problematic with Blackhorn 209. We purposely designed & manufactured plugs with a short flame channel to offer instant reliable ignition with Blackhorn 209. This leads to great accuracy, and the plug never clogs. This short flame channel exposes the 209 primer to higher pressures as compared to .50 calibers and can cause them to stick requiring pliers to remove them after firing. We have received so many complaints because primers won't pull out easy with fingers that we redesigned the standard plug for the G3 Patriots. The new design is far from optimal to ignite Blackhorn 209, but primers come out easily. It is crucial to keep the flash hole clear of carbon build up or the plug will clog and no flame can pass through. Other breech plug & ignition options are available to offer better performance with Blackhorn 209 and smokeless powders.

In G2 and older models, 209 ignition was the only option. The G2 model was when we introduced the adjustable breech plug. This plug will solve most 209 primer issues but it does require maintenance to keep carbon build up from clogging it. Depending on the load, there are low, medium and high pressure configurations. The high pressure will accommodate all loads and regulate the pressure that the primer is exposed to. The adjustable plug allows head spacing of any 209 primer to get a tight fit in the primer length. This helps to reduce or eliminate blowback. The high pressure G2 adjustable plug is here -> G2 adjustable plug

The G3 Patriot features several design improvements, one being the LR module ignition system. The module system uses precision machined brass primer bodies that hold large rifle primers. This system offers the mostr reliable ignition, can be used with Blackhorn 209 and it is the best solution for smokeless powder loads. The G3 .40 caliber comes standard with the module plug due to the higher pressures generated. Modules can be primed, fired and deprimed to use again. How many times they can be re-used varies based on the load they are used with. To use this system in your G3 Patriot, you will need the LR Module breech plug. Priming the modules can be done easily with the RCBS hand priming tool, or if you re-load rifle cartridges chances are good you have a priming tool. To use the RCBS hand primer you will need an RCBS #3 shell holder. A G3 Patriot set up with the module plug will use a module with a .472 rim diameter. Fired modules are easily de-primmed with the depriming station.

If you prefer to use 209 primers in the G3 Patriot, we have several options. We have re-designed the G3 standard plug to have a long flash channel. This plug will provide finger removal of spent primers at the potential expense of performance. The standard plug can be used safely with smokeless powders, but may not be ideal. For saboted loads the eco plug is an economical alternative and features a further forward .028 flash hole. This smaller flash hole reduces powders from falling through the hole and reduces the pressure exerted on the primer. There is no guarantee that primers will just pull out with fingers but accuracy and ignition are no issue.

Second, the high pressure 209 adjustable breech plug with a .675 shoulder depth will fit G3 Patriots and reduce the pressure that the primer is exposed to. Headspacing can be set to eliminate blowback with this plug. This plug must be kept free of carbon deposits. If primers stick in this plug, the barrel pressures are high and the module system is the cure.

If you are shooting full bore, smooth sized bullets in G3 Patriot .40 & .45 calibers, the module system is best suited for this application.