1st trip to the range

[akhawkeye]

Hello, all:

I am a new member of the forum, and have inherited my father's Pedersoli Mortimer flintlock (.54 cal). I have spent some time searching the threads here, and have aquired some basic knowledge of how a flintlock works.

Now... the time comes - I must actually shoot the darned thing. What do I need for my first day at the range?

I will tell you what I have:

.54 cal balls
.015 patches (both pre lubed and dry)
2F powder (for the main charge)
4F powder (for the pan)
Brass powder dispenser (for the main charge)
Brass powder measure (for the main charge)
Brass priming measure (spring loaded)
Ball Starter (cheap, but functional)
Ram Rod - Wooden - came with rifle
Hoppes Black Powder solvent and Patch Lubricant
Ball Puller
Patch Puller
Targets
Target stand
Guts

Anything else I need in my shooter's bag?

I am planing on starting with 60 grains of 2F and working up from there. Anyone out there have any experience with the Mortimer and what the optimum load might be for a .54 caliber?

Thanks in advance for any insight you may be able to give me, as well as any tips.

Colin

 

[Halftail]

Hey,
Your list looks good.The only thing I'd take along that I didn't see would be a Good sturdy "Range Rod". You will find out eventually that the Wood ones don't last and can be a hazard to your hands.Any online BP Supply company would be a good place to look for one.Either Stainless with a muzzle protector or synthetic are good materials for a range rod.
Did I see cleaning Jag and some patches on your list?

 

[Trench]

You'll want a ball and patch puller in addition to a cleaning jag. If you're like me, a few things might go wrong on your first time out that may require you to pull your load.

 

[Brik847]

Cleaning patches for between shots and when you're ready to clean after shooting. Eye and hearing protection. Over powder felts.

 

[boar]

I don't see a vent pick on the list,my flinchlocks all have one tied to trigger guard.Dilly

 

[paulvallandigham]

Dont' forget extra flints, and your staple gun, and something to write with on the targets to make notes. You can't learn much unless you make notes on each load, and every change you make in components. You should order some different sized patching material, also. While .015" patches should work, when lubed, your gun may find they are very tight to push down the barrel. A thinner patch, .010 or .012" might be better for your gun. You will also want to get some FFg powder to try.

 

[akhawkeye]

These are all great suggestions. I always forget a sharpie! I have hearing and eye protection, a vent pick (tied to the rifle), a cleaning jag and cleaning patches, a staple gun, a ball puller and a patch puller, but I am un-familiar with the term "over powder felts". What are these? One other item I do not have is a range rod. I'll pick one up today if I can find one... I suppose I should pick up some different size patches to try as well.

Thanks for all the help! Keep it coming!

Colin

 

[roundball]

"...I am un-familiar with the term "over powder felts". What are these?..."

For your first range trip...on the assumption that you'll probably just be using light to medium target charges (40-60grns of powder) to get used to your ML without beating yourself up, you won't need to use over powder wads.

They are good for protecting the patch or base of a conical with max or near max powder charges but for target loads a good strong well lubed patch is fine...if you're going to shoot patched round balls with 90grns or more of powder, a wad might be required to keep from burning up the patch

 

[Stumpkiller]

You're gonna need a new or reknapped flint every 15 or 20 shots, so either bring spares or a method of refreshing the edge. And a screwdriver that fits the top jaw screw. Also a rag to wipe the pan and frizzen and your hands. Powder solvent on your hands or spilled down the stock will eat some stock finishes in short order. (I use a length of patching material - never did understand how you keep things tidy using pre-cut patching.

 

[Leatherbark]

Are your projectiles .54/100 inch in diameter?.......These may be too large..................Bob

 

[akhawkeye]

My projectiles are .530 of an inch in diameter. I have .015 patches, and will be getting some .010 patches for trying different loads. I plan on starting with about 40 - 60 grains of powder and working up from there, not to exceed 80 grains, which Pedersoli has recommended as the optimum load for this barrel.

Colin

 

[tr07416]

I hope your a lot luckier newbie than I have been and don't need to clear the load out of the barrel as many times as I have had to. At first I used a theaded ball puller, but that CO2
gadget, with a flinlock adapter, has sure saved alot of pillin and gruntin. Its safer too.

TR