I wrote this up on a different forum. The following is a copy paste. This is focused on shooting my 54 Deerstalker with a start to tuning a rifle and load. One thing, my possible gun types include a lefty 24 or 28 gauge HBC late flintlock trade gun so smoothbore is on the table. However I do love rifles and consider myself a rifleman first. I'm researching Trade rifles as well and found a Lancaster school imitated in England.
"I read a report on here of dramatic thickness change from washing the patch cloth, a problem?
Also, is it best to use a micrometer or calipers to measure cloth?
Thanks to everyone, this whole patch, ball, and patch lube combo business seems like a voodoo recipe!
No doubt the amount of shooting to get a fairly tuned load will be a lot of fun and that is always a good thing.
The initial plan is learn how to make the Deerstalker go bang most often. This includes knapped english flints, 1/16" flash hole, Goex 4F and 3F, and some lock shimming. So far the flint strike point has moved from the bottom of the frizzen to the middle using a thick leather shim, separate leather wrap, and bevel down. The flint sparks are white but not to abundant. One thing for sure the frizzen is sticky, best description for me, and needs smoothing. The cock coil spring is stout but swings smoothly.
For loading the start is 40 gr 3f with a max at were the accuracy goes south or 70 gr, whichever is first. I don't hunt so max is about range rather than power. Diluted Ballistol (Dutch's system, I have it) dried on the patch and wiping every shot or two."