Accuracy question

[J.M.]

I've got a hypothetical question, dont know if there is a difinitive answer or not, but here goes. In your opinions, what would the be the ideal set up for a flintlock gun for offhand shooting, with accuracy being the most sought after feature? Im curious as to caliber, barrel make, lock model etc that you feel would give optimal accuracy. Any ideas? Lets hear them!

 

[reddogge]

If you get 100 replies you will get 100 different answers so here is #1:

I shot a southern mountain style rifle, straight .50 barrel with round groove rifling, set triggers. Load was 50 grains FFFg and spit patch pillow ticking cut at the muzzle, cast lead balls. Siler lock (I know, not PC but 28 years ago we didn't much care about that).

I liked the muzzle heavy feel of the barrel. It seemed to just hang real steady and the bigger 1/2" ball was better at cutting rings or strings or breaking things than a smaller ball.

 

[JeffinNZ]

Hi

I would try and handle as many flinters as you can and shoulder them all to get an idea of what fits YOU best. Long barrel, short barrel, swamped, more drop, less drop. etc, etc. The bottom line is you will shoot best with a rifle that fits YOU. I have friend with a 44 inch straight barrel .50cal that is WAY too front heavy for me however my 38 inch swamped .40cal is a breeze for me to shoot. Once you have a style and size in mind think about the calibre and ranges you will be shooting at. Personally I shoot a pair of .40's and find them devastatingly accurate out to 100m but some folk like a bigger ball for the wind and so on.

Look around and see what the guys who are WINNING are using and follow that I say :hatsoff: . It may be that a local oddity may be a crucial factor in the way they select their kit. HOWEVER I find the people on my range with the most to say about accurate shooting are the ones who don't shoot worth a damn :yakyak: . Harsh but sadly true.

cheers

Jeff

 

[hack]

About any caliber will shoot fine at 25-50 yards.
If you want to shoot farther, a heavier ball is needed. My son has a new rifle with a colerain barrel in 50 cal. 44 inch. (c) weight. had it built into a dickert style. Now his eyes are a lot younger than mine but a 49XX is not a bad score for anyone at 25 yards.
shoot the caliber that you like and the style of gun that fits you the best, and enjoy the sport.
:v

 

[Java Man]

I just placed an order for a custom Ohio fullstock. Chambers Late Ketland lock, single trigger, .40 cal GM bbl, 7/8"x36". Gun should weigh a little over eight pounds and be slightly muzzle heavy.

Offhand shooting is the basis for my choice in this case. Cant wait! :grin:

Java Man

 

[Big John]

I'll go with my sweetheart....50cal Yorktown, Siler lock,39in. Green Mt. barrel,.495 Hornady ball with a .20 spit patch.

 

[OTHERN]

If you are close to Friendship Indiana, you should go and see what they use there. Most of the better shooters use a heavy(12-14 lb) rifle, short barreled(32" or so)Green mountain, Rice are popular and so are most of the major quality barrel makers. Locks do seem to vary, however since they use the same rifle for precussion the lock needs to have a precussion counter part to drop in. High off the barrel precision target sights, set trigger complete the rig. Normally in my traditional eyes ugly as hell. They almost all use 40 cal, with teflon coated ticking(20-25thous) and a ball size of 400 or greater. Most use Swiss powder 3fff. That is todays current winning combo in Friendship. If they were in Wyo I suspect they would move up to 45 cal or 50 because of the light breezes we have on occasion. If that is what it takes to win then I don't care to win. I personally have placed using my eastern long rifle styled flinter with a tapered getz 50 cal round bottom barrel and a large siler lock with set triggers. The rifle weights 8.5 lbs. and I much prefer shooting it to the ones I see the winners using. Note: as was said before each and everyone will have there own opinion on this. It is always a trade off. I prefer the more traditional rifle. If I wanted to shoot super serious, I would go to highpower. This stuff is for FUN!!

Othern

 

[Stumpkiller]

I've got a hypothetical question, dont know if there is a difinitive answer or not, but here goes. In your opinions, what would the be the ideal set up for a flintlock gun for offhand shooting, with accuracy being the most sought after feature? Im curious as to caliber, barrel make, lock model etc that you feel would give optimal accuracy. Any ideas? Lets hear them!

Jim Chambers lock, L.C. Rice barrel, caliber between .40 and .50 (.50 or .54 if it will also be for hunting large game). I like a crisp, relatively light single trigger. Most prefer a double set for target shooting. Stock style is less important than proper fit to you. Other lock and barrel makers will be satisfactory; put your money in the lock and the barrel and you wou't be sorry. A swamped barrel is a treat for offhand shooting ~ giving the long barrel rifles a better "feel".

 

[Toomuch_36]

If you get 100 replies you will get 100 different answers so here is #1:

I shot a southern mountain style rifle, straight .50 barrel with round groove rifling, set triggers. Load was 50 grains FFFg and spit patch pillow ticking cut at the muzzle, cast lead balls. Siler lock (I know, not PC but 28 years ago we didn't much care about that).

I liked the muzzle heavy feel of the barrel. It seemed to just hang real steady and the bigger 1/2" ball was better at cutting rings or strings or breaking things than a smaller ball.

As has been noted balance is all important, especially for offhand shooting. Full or half stock would be a mater of personal preference. Get one with a reliable lock and roundball barrel. Have the lock properly tuned (most are not straight from the box). Mid-range calibers (.40 to .50) would be best for starting out, but be prepared to expand + or - later on --- black powder is very addictive.

Toomuch
............
Shoot Flint