Breech Plugs 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.

209 Primers are the most popular, simple means of ignition. Unfortunately the length and diameter of a 209 primer make it a bit more complicated. In order to make a breech plug to accept any 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. We offer an adjustable plug that allows users to adjust the headspace to fit the 209 primer.

Blackhorn 209 requires a hot ignition source to achieve fast, accurate and reliable ignition. We have had great success with accuracy using a breech plug which was designed to ignite Blackhorn 209 fast and with a lot of heat. The short flame channel is how this was achieved, however it can lead to different brands of primers requiring pliers or tools to remove them after being fired. This is completely normal and not a problem with any rifle or breech plug. We are currently designing a new standard plug with a long flash channel. This plug will provide finger removal of spent primers at the expense of performance. Other breech plugs and ignition systems are available when accuracy and performance is the priority.

In the past we favored Remington STS primers. This can be disregarded, after covid they have been hard to find. Different lots of STS 209 primers have shown some stick and some do not. Any standard 209 shotgun primer is good to use and/or try.

In G2 and older models, 209 ignition is 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 to help 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 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. 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 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.