Touch hole size suggestion???

[Bigmon]

Well, I think I'll get this new project well on the way of final assembly today.
But I noticed that I had not yet located or drilled the touch hole.
I will probably eventually use some type of liner.  But for now will just drill a touch hole and see how that works.
This is my first build in over 30 years and I have forgotten many of these "finer" points.
I seem to remember that the gole should be a little higher than the top of the pan?
And then what size?? I can always make it largerif I get it too small.
Any advice on where and size??
Sure would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance, if I get it done I'll try and post some photos.

[smylee grouch]

What size barrel and cal.?

[Ky-Flinter]

A search on "Touchhole size" results in much info.

The touchhole location should be centered on the pan horizontally, and even with or maybe just a bit above the top surface of the pan vertically.  If you look at the edge of the pan from the side, the touchhole should look like the setting sun just touching the horizon.

Size?  You should be fine with 1/16".  Chambers WL liner is .055" IIRC, but is coned inside.

-Ron

[Bigmon]

Thanks you all, I knew I could count on an answer.
The cal is 58 rifle. It's a round barrel, about 1-1/16" Dia.
Thanks again

[Acer Saccharum]

Chambers liners are for flat sided barrels. If you file a mating flat on your round barrel for your lock to sit against, then a liner will work for you.

Tom Snyder makes inside coning tools for such purposes, if you don't want to see a liner.

[Stophel]

A 1/16" plain touch hole on a "full size" rifle barrel will be entirely too small.  5/64" usually ends up being a very good size.  5/64" with a coned interior is even better... or is supposed to be, actually, I cannot tell any difference, but I cone them anyway.   

[bob in the woods]

Given the style of the guns that I build, I don't use liners any longer. My touch holes are 5/64 and I get very good ignition.  I slightly chamfer the outside edge of the hole, that's all. 

[Mark Elliott]

I always use White Lightning liners and always open the hole up to 1/16".    Testing has shown that the location doesn't matter too much, but I aim for centered on barrel and top of pan. 

[Mike Brooks]

Yep, they got them things called liners now, that's the way I'd go.

[jerrywh]

 Touch hole liners have been around since at least the 1750's and probably many years before that.  They were not the same as the ones we now have. They did not thread in.
 I think they were installed like a rivet.  Gold is to soft for threads.

[Mike Brooks]

Touch hole liners have been around since at least the 1750's and probably many years before that.  They were not the same as the ones we now have. They did not thread in.
 I think they were installed like a rivet.  Gold is to soft for threads.

That's a fact.