Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Variflame II Large Rifle Primer Adapter Question

Anyone have experience with the Variflame or Variflame II Large Rifle Primer Adapter? I just ordered one to try with BH209 in a T/C 209x50. Trying to decide on Large rifle or LR Mag Primers? Thanks.

I bought a pack of the original ones a few years back. Used them twice, then gave them to my brother-in-law. He used them once and threw them away.

Too much a pain in the a$$ to use or performance issues? Thanks.

The new version that uses machined SS primer modules looks interesting. I have doubts though on how well the module will prevent blowby without a o-ring or the ability to adjust head space. A bare 209 primer can swell or be slightly crushed in the primer pocket just enough to create a seal. Those modules can not. Tolerances between the breach plug and frame differ so much that you cant have a one size fits all approach to machining them.

Im also curious which smokeless ML he used for testing the SS version because that module does not look like its going to fit the Savage 209 primer carrier in the bolt. IIRC its based a 22 Hornet case.

I have them an like them .Now the best thing out thier was the accra shot for the hammer style guns I have a bunch of them on my guns yet These were the best

UPDATE - Finally got to the range and sighted in the .50 cal Encore 26" bbl ML. Used 100 grains of BH209 powder and 240 grain Hornady .44 cal sabot. CCI primer (Large Rifle) in the Variflame II adapter. Used the Bushnell ML scope. using the center cross hair at 50 yards shot three shots just above bullseye. Using the second set of cross hairs it was about 1/2" high and left of center, but both groups were under an inch. One issue I did have was that three times out of about 10 shots I had to re-cock and shoot again to get the primer to fire. Not sure if it is hard primer or weak hammer spring.

I never caught the rifle/shotgun primer bug but I did switch my inline to the musket cap and have never had an ignition problem. miles

Go to Mike Bellm's website and get a 44lb hammer spring. Very easy to install.

If you have a hammer extension that could be slowing the hammer down. The heavier spring will fix your problem.

Nice to see the Variflame II is working with BH209.

Thanks for the input. I do have an extension on it. I will get the 44 # spring and try it. Thanks!

There was some good insight on the hammer spring and miss fires related to head space and other things on Bellms' site. It made sense now that I put the two together. The tolerance stack up on the drilled out breech plug, the machined adapter and the primer seating variance from hand priming all added up to potential extra head space and the need to push that whole mess when the hammer hits thus taking away the punch to dimple the primer fully. Ordered 2 of the 51# springs as I have two frames to modify. Had similar issue with a Contender frame and 7-30 waters hand loads. Thought it was the primers, turns out it was probably just the weaker hammer spring and the extension. Thanks again for the insight!