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Have no idea what I’m getting into. Trying to get into flintlocks for hunting. Located in eastern Pennsylvania.
You should visit Dixon's Shop in Kempton. They are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. They are only a half hour or so from you. Also, there is much good info and people on this site to help you. Lots of opinions, though, too. I think the key to this is consistency and practice. You have to spend the time and also do everything the same every time. If you like to shoot, you will love this.
 
A rifle for deer hunting think 54 caliber if you are intending to shoot patch round balls (PRB). It is always best to punch the largest hole you can. Slow twist rifling for PRB’s and fast twist is for shooting conical bullets.
Let me be the first to warn you off Ballistol oil.
It’s mineral oil with a very strong bad smelling perfume added. The only good trick it can perform is that it will mix with water to form a liquid that looks like milk.
Any good synthetic gun oil will do for lubrication and rust prevention. I prefer Lubegard Premium Universal Lubricant oil it’s a Jojoba based oil the mimics and exceeds the fine qualities of whale oil.
Dawn liquid dish detergent and the new Dawn Power wash spray are excellent patch lube/grease removers as is any modern gun nitro powder solvent for carbon removal, is carbon is carbon whether is a little amount removed from your Granddads 30-06 Springfield or a lot from your new black powder muzzle loader.
Muzzle loading is a very expensive hobby to start up in but casting your own projectiles does greatly lower costs.
 
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I agree with what NotDanielBoone and nit wit said, go to Dixons, even if it just to see what you may or may not like.

You may fall in love with something and make a purchase right there. Or you may get some very good ideas, and place a wanted ad here or purchase one for sale here.

Good luck and Merry Christmas.
 
Hey I’m in Berks!
I hunt a farm in late season in Berks.

I would recommend you get the highest quality flintlock you can reasonably afford. If you go cheap, you may have trouble with quality and reliability which will make a frustrating experience for a new BP shooter. And if a cheaper gun does work well, and you find you like it, you may outgrow it pretty quickly -depending on how frequently you shoot and what you're using it for.

A used TC with a good bore is a good choice. 50 cal will give you the easiest access to all the accessories and ammo stuff you need -its the most commonly available. Classifieds here may have some good guns at a good price.

Best of luck and hope you get things sorted and we'll see you at an event this spring or summer and in the woods next October.
 
Have no idea what I’m getting into. Trying to get into flintlocks for hunting. Located in eastern Pennsylvania.
I would never risk any 100 yards shot at Deer and half that would be my limit & I have shot them from the hip, But where I live most deer are shot about 30 yards in hilly native forests . The' From the hip 'was going up a steep narrow gully the Hinde fell wedged in the top , luckily as it might have bowled me over in that tight space
.Rifle was a 24 bore Belted ball two grouve .You wont them at Dixons! ( They stopped making them about 1860 ). I know nothing about machine disgorged factory guns which is all I seek to know about them, but others on these forums do know about such guns so your in the right place . We in NZ have No seasons Deer are classed as 'Noxious introduced animals '
. A considerate of the Deer, Rudyard
 

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