Flintlock or percussion for a first purchase?

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Nabonidus62

32 Cal
Joined
Oct 19, 2022
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Location
New Zealand
Hi guys, I'm finally getting round to buying my first muzzle loader after toying with the idea for a couple of years. (Going with a reproduction from Pedersoli).

I've decided on a smoothbore for the versatility but not sure if I want to go flint or percussion.

What are the pros and cons of each and is one more beginner friendly than the other?

I'll be taking the gun hunting for birds and deer and will also be using it for target shooting if you'd like to know.

From Pedersoli's catalogue I'll likely decide on one of these (Still open to suggestions though):

- Indian Trade Gun

- Brown Bess

- Carabinieri 1814

-1816 Harpers Ferry (Colt Conversion)

If anyone has some advice that might help my decision that would be great.

Cheers.
 
I started with percussion and still shoot them, but flint is my favorite. As mentioned previously, no need to worry about caps if you run low. I read somewhere that the flintlock was preferred out west because of how hard it was to get caps.
 
John Daly Meme (2).png


Flintlock is the only path to enlightenment, my son
 
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Normally i would say flintlock first as that is what i did. There is a big learning curve coming from cartridge guns so the cap gun should be easier to learn muzzle loading skills.
I would only suggest a cap gun if you can readily get caps in your area. Flints ship without hazmat fees.

Guess i didn’t give a good answer.
 
I started hunting with inlines then got a flintlock for target shooting. I would have to say that it was a steep learning curve for me with my flintlock but it is also an older jukar rifle so it has a cheap lock. I will say though, it was very satisfying when I finally figured it out the rifle after doing some clockwork to it myself. I would also say that either way you go, YouTube and this forum will be your best friend. I have e learned a ton from both and both have save me a lot of headaches.
 
I went directly from BB guns to black powder with a two decade hiatus in between. First rifle I had was a flintlock Dixie Gun Works Tennessee mountain rifle. Nobody told me I couldn't do that. Get the flintlock. It's about the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
 
I started with percussion and later flintlock in the days before internet and learned by reading everything I could find on the subject. Along the way, I found some folks to help me a little more.

Just my .02 cents worth, but if you can load and operate a modern bolt action rifle, you can learn to shoot a flintlock. Go with flintlock and don’t look back.
 
Good thing about the Pedersoli I can be easily swapped back and forth from percussion to flint and back again. The parts are currently available to do it. Like many others I started with percussion, however I too went to mostly flintlocks. A smoothbore just scre3ams flintlock they go together like peperoni and pizza, pancakes and syrup, jack and jill, potatoes and onions and butter.
 
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I started with an inline and then switched to cap locks. I then tried flintlocks and that is all I shoot now. Just make sure you have a reliable lock which is not always the case with Pedersoli. I have had two and both locks had to be sent to Brad Emig for a tune up. A smooth bore in flint would be my choice.
 
For bird hunting the Brown Bess will swing like a log, but then you don’t need a gun to hunt Weka. To start I’d see if caps are available and then if they are a percussion will be user friendly and effective. You have some steep country there so consider the weight and length for carrying.
 
Nabonidus62 said:
Hi guys, I'm finally getting round to buying my first muzzle loader after toying with the idea for a couple of years. (Going with a reproduction from Pedersoli).

I've decided on a smoothbore for the versatility but not sure if I want to go flint or percussion.

What are the pros and cons of each and is one more beginner friendly than the other?

I'll be taking the gun hunting for birds and deer and will also be using it for target shooting if you'd like to know.

From Pedersoli's catalogue I'll likely decide on one of these (Still open to suggestions though):

- Indian Trade Gun

- Brown Bess

- Carabinieri 1814

-1816 Harpers Ferry (Colt Conversion)

If anyone has some advice that might help my decision that would be great.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
I you are not a tinkerer, or detest working on what makes a flintlock tick, better get a caplock. If you want a challenge and more reward in the end get a flintlock. I am not saying flint is any better than cap, but to me there is more reward when it shoots like it was engineered to shoot.
Larry
 
Nabonidus62 said:
I've decided on a smoothbore for the versatility but not sure if I want to go flint or percussion.

What are the pros and cons of each and is one more beginner friendly than the other?

I'll be taking the gun hunting for birds and deer and will also be using it for target shooting if you'd like to know.
Click to expand...
You will hear about the pros and cons for each, depending who you ask.

I see you are in New Zealand, what do the majority of the shooters near you shoot? They may be able to mentor you. What guns have you actually shot?
 
I am not familiar with what is available to you as far as supplies are concerned. Here are my feelings on what would be of interest to you and give you the least amount of issues while getting your feet wet in the muzzle loading game.
First BP firearm I would suggest would be a cap lock and buy #11 percussion caps NOW.
Your second rifle should be a flintlock and buy a can or two of REAL black powder because the flintlock will not set off substitute black powders.
Availability of either percussion caps or real black powder will be your deciding factor on which firearm you will be buying. Good Luck in your journey!
 
I'm with @ZUG on this. First determine what supplies are available in your area. If you are planning to shoot a few shots to get familiar with shooting traditional muzzleloading and a few shots while hunting (perhaps less than 100 shots a year), then you may find getting real black powder very difficult while percussion caps and the substitute powders are available. When all you find is black powder substitutes and percussion caps, then select a percussion arm. Of course, one can always have 4 pounds of 3 Fg black powder shipped to your home. That should be more than enough black powder for 3 years of casual shooting. The 3F will be satisfactory for both the main charge and the priming charge.

Once you have the supplies to get a gun to shoot, then select the gun that most appeals to you.
 
Grenadier1758 said:
I'm with @ZUG on this. First determine what supplies are available in your area. If you are planning to shoot a few shots to get familiar with shooting traditional muzzleloading and a few shots while hunting (perhaps less than 100 shots a year), then you may find getting real black powder very difficult while percussion caps and the substitute powders are available. When all you find is black powder substitutes and percussion caps, then select a percussion arm. Of course, one can always have 4 pounds of 3 Fg black powder shipped to your home. That should be more than enough black powder for 3 years of casual shooting. The 3F will be satisfactory for both the main charge and the priming charge.

Once you have the supplies to get a gun to shoot, then select the gun that most appeals to you.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice. The Black powder community in New Zealand seems pretty dedicated so might get in touch with some of them and see what kind is easier to supply.
 

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