1st time shooting a flintlock

[hanshi]

As far as sights go a reciever/tang peep of some kind will make a great difference. Flinch? Don't look at the pan, look at the front sight.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Shoot the rifle right-handed. The lock (and pan) will be on the same side as your face. Wear safety glasses and concentrate on the front sight. Left-handed shooters do the same when shooting a right-handed gun. It's the concept of having one's face in front of all that pan flash that is more unsettling than the actual firing.

 

[le125verne]

OK Guys I neeed help. Got my 1st flintlock (inherited) it is lefthandes I am right handed ,can I learn to shoot it advise and please be gentle

I strongly suggest you learn to shoot holding the arm both left and right handed.

 

[azmntman]

I have not killed 120 deer. I have killed about 10 and 10-12 elk and I can assure you the PRB will work at least (I think better) then the conical. We are shooting black powder and no matter how much you dump down the tube yer not gonna reach CF presuure and the PRB is all you need. UNLESS yer shooting a .32 or .36 at deer then you likely need a conical cuz you are under gunned. At .45 and above it (IMHO) is a waste of lead. My favorite deer load is 60-65 gr 3f and a PRB. For elk add 10-20 grains. My PRB kills went NO FURTHER than the few conicals I shot.

So there. No more free advise unless you were a buyer when I was offering a deal on freeze dried water for cleaning (all out, you snooze you lose).

 

[IanH]

So there. No more free advise unless you were a buyer when I was offering a deal on freeze dried water for cleaning (all out, you snooze you lose).

You must be in cahoots with Waksupi. He's been dealing in lube grooves for decades.

 

[azmntman]

No relation but He Did Steal the idea from me.

 

[Red Eye]

Even though my thread was hijacked by questions from a left handed shooter and it seems nobody's read my updated pt.2, I'll answer some more questions now.
I have tried shooting the gun with the ramrod in and out of gun, it seems to make no difference in my point of aim.

I'm not sure why everyone is so against shooting a conical. I did say earlier in this thread that everyone has their own opinion but apparently mine doesn't matter. I have tried 60 gr. of 3f and a RB and patch and it shoots well. I have also discovered that the 80 gr. of 3 f and a T/C Maxiball shoot very well also, I'm getting about 1 1/4- 1 1/2 in. groups at 50 yards now with 2 quick plunges of 3f in the pain and I always make sure to pick through the touch hole before filling the pan, it does make a difference.
I think I've eliminated my flinch by just concentrating on the front sight.
Like I've said, having a nice journey, have learned a lot.

I'm glad everyone's killing so many deer with a RB, but can't I try it my way without getting "beat up" for it. Hey, at least I'm not shooting a sabot pistol bullet.
Sorry if my choice of projectile has the purist upset but I still believe a heavier projectile could be better or at least better for me. I guess I'll find out this coming winter if I get a shot on a deer. I'll let you all know then.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@Red Eye, of course you can use the T/C Maxi-Ball. What are you hunting? The conical bullet will provide better penetration for the heavier thick muscled and boned animals. Let us know your results. I would expect success.

 

[Red Eye]

Whitetail deer in Pa. late flintlock only season.

 

[buckleymarka56]

I wear regular glasses and I don't worry about it.

 

[Pete G]

Keep in mind that a slower conical bullet will drop more than a PRB.

 

[smokepolehall]

Hijack

No relation but He Did Steal the idea from me.

I steal others ideas if they help me.

 

[oldsmokey]

Old dogs can learn new things!! I've shot Caplock for 40yrs however, I took my T/C .45cal Hawkins Flintlock out after having it tucked away for 10yrs on Tuesday 8-8-2023 (First time with it). At 50yds, 50gr of 3f and primed with 4f what I thought was the right amount i pan. First shot bang. Man was I excited!! Then it went downhill. Hit and miss on the ignition. I did the clearing of the vent hole etc and all the other things. I even switched the flint around. First off, I have learned since the other day that the double end flint type I was using isn't really one of the good flints. I have a few English Flints that are best from what I've studied. I will be trying them next time out and if all works well, I will get more. I feel now after more reading that I wasn't doing anything incorrect other than not using a quality flint and not having my flint sharp. I learned that using a worn or dull flint will get you nowhere!! I will also learn how to Knap my flints. I really do not want to give up on the Flintlocks and mine is a nice one. My flintlock is an older one without the Barrel Warnings and has a low 4-digit serial number and the Malise Cross stamped on the bottom side of the barrel at the Breach which puts the age of my weapon around 1969 / 1970 production by T/C. Thanks everyone for all your knowledge and ideas!!

 

[oldsmokey]

If you are left eye dominant and shooting your rifle right-handed your dominant eye will be on the wrong side. What can happen is your right eye will be looking down the rear sight and your naturally dominant left eye can pick up the front sight. You will be a lousy shot. I am right-handed and left eye dominant. I have learned to close my left eye when I shoot a rifle or shotgun. When I shoot handguns, I have to close the right eye. It took me a while to master it, but I did it and so can you.

When you shoot your revolvers keeping both eyes open and sighting is the proper sight picture. It shouldn't take anytime at all to get used to it; it's natural. Shooting revolvers is different than a rifle with regards to sighting.
Msg Ret Army.

 

[oldsmokey]

Sir, you couldn't have said it any better!!!