20-cent vent pick for hunting

[mikemeteor]

it ain't pretty, but I'm headin to the PA woods this weekend for late flintlock, and needed a quick vent tool for the lanyard.

Old Coleman lantern generator, wood plug, and some hardened wire.

It ain't PC, HC, or even ABC, but it was quick and cheap.

That's a .458 Lott case, which is going to be a hunting powder measure soon as I can figure how to get a ring on it.

 

[roundball]

You could just use a paper clip...

 

[R.M.]

That's a .458 Lott case, which is going to be a hunting powder measure soon as I can figure how to get a ring on it.

I've taken brass cases and drilled out the primer pocket to the appropriate size, and screwed in a small eye screw, like those used on picture frames, then added a dab of soft lead solder. Like you say, it ain't HC, but it works.

 

[fatboy]

Yea that will work how many grains can you get in that case ?

 

[mikemeteor]

By gad you're right Roundball ! :thumbsup:

I put in 80g FFF and still had about 3/4" of case left.
Think I'm supposed to fill that space at the bottom of the case with wax or epoxy.

 

[moose30273]

I think the belted case might not be PC but a cartrige case is (in my opnion) HC. There is a picture on Tenn Hog Rifles of a Soddy-Daisy and the contents of a shooting pouch. Included in the pouch is a cutdown brass shotgun shell that was probably used as a powder measure. Of course we are talking about Appalachia so HC could be 1930 or so.

 

[omarick1948]

That sure looks like a bit overkill for your vent pick. A piece of wire with a loop on it and stuck in the seam of my pouch works great!

:2

 

[larry wv]

I bought a loaded flinter that had a paper clip broke off in it. Think it was left loaded then got stuck and broke. Then the ball or conical got burred up and wouldn't come out. I got it cheap but it was all down hill after that. I use a paper clip once in a while. they work good. Larry Wv

 

[ohio ramrod]

For vent picks /nipple picks I use the sewing pins with the plastic balls on the end. Not PC but really cheap and easy to use. Many time on trail walks some one will mention: "You have a pin sticking in your shirt collar !"

 

[Black Hand]

I use a sharpened piece of baling wire with a loop twisted in the end.

 

[LRB]

I have never liked the idea of useing steel for picks. Especially any made from square stock with edges that would contact the vent wall. Probably nothing wrong with them, but it just makes me uncomfortable. I prefer silver or copper. This one is sterling silver.

 

[desertpackrat47]

That silver pick is beautiful. Would it be PC (1840s) to make one of copper? I'm thinking of hammering a piece of copper wire square, then forming like your silver one.

 

[hornetk4]

I found a real handy little tool for a vent pic , I took one of the rods from a torch cleaning asortment.They come in a pac of about 12 rods they all have an eye on one end ready made for a lanyard plus the shaft has a sort of knurl or file surface along it's length perfect for cleaning the id of the hole. You can pick up a set of them cheap at home depot just pick the one that fits the best. I have three flinters and they all have a different size hole so one set had one for each gun. They work great

 

[dodgecity]

Antler tine and brass wire. I just wear it around my neck for all my flinters. Gives me one more use for antlers and makes nice gifts.