First ever hunt

[BillyC]

Had my first ever flintlock hunt this morning. Light drizzle when I got to my hunting spot then slowly rained harder and harder. Had a doe step out of the fog 30 yards away just at legal shooting time. Due to the early hour, rain, fog and cloud cover I could not see the front sight. I screwed around for a few seconds trying to get the sights lined up and just a split second before the rifle went off, which was good since it was raining so hard, she whirled to run and I shot right in front of her brisket. A few more hours to get myself good and soaked and I called it a day. By the time I got home and got to cleaning there was already rust on my rifle. I cleaned, polished and oiled as well as I could and I will not be going out in heavy rain again. I have until next Saturday so hopefully I’ll get another chance. Sure is different shooting in the dark woods versus s sunny range.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Yep, you can’t buy fun like that!

 

[Brokennock]

Sounds like a memorable experience. Don't let rain deter you. Get a good cow's knee, read the many topic threads here about making flintlocks shoot in the rain. Wax is you friend for keeping that rust at bay next time the gun is in the rain. If it isn't too warm for it, a matchcoat over you amd the gun is even better.
If you only have a week, damn the weather, get out there. A small doe taken in the rain under poor conditions that would keep others home will be a trophy memory for a lifetime.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Not all days are blue bird days, some of my best buck deer were killed in some very nasty weather.

 

[nchawkeye]

Try putting a dab of white paint on your front sight, helps a bit...

 

[Spikebuck]

You mean a flintlock actually went off in the rain!!! OMG...I've heard people say that they only go off half of the time in the sun!

Good luck over the next week. I look forward to hearing the story and seeing the pics!

 

[jackpine54]

Stay after it. Some of my best bucks were taken in the rain. Patina that starts as rust from hunting in the rain is worth more than the best finish you can buy!

 

[ORBushman]

Wax is you friend for keeping that rust at bay next time the gun is in the rain.

This^^! Here in Oregon there's always a good chance of rain during deer season. I coat any exposed metal with a thin coat of Johnson's Paste Wax. Good luck out there and be safe!

 

[Britsmoothy]

Don't let the rust frighten you. Just use hot water to clean and wire wool the rust, its only on the surface. Then rub some beeswax and olive oil mix all over the gun or rifle.
Slap it on prior to hunting in the wet also.

Please don't use modern gun oils, they are useless when used with black powder firearms.

 

[Thingamajiggy]

Nice job getting out there, and even with the rain, got her to go off, albeit a little slow. Keep putting the work in. Goodluck!

 

[Loja man]

Way to stick with it even in the wet weather!!

 

[BillyC]

Went out again today. Forecast was for 0% chance of rain, so I got rained on for six hours!!!
I rubbed my rifle down with a beeswax olive oil mixture and it seemed to work real well for waterproofing. It’s doe season only right now so of course the only doe I saw was right at sunrise, which the sun never showed due to the clouds and rain, didn’t even raise the rifle it was so dark. And of course I had a big 8 point walk by me at 10 yards and never even look in my direction. Oh well, hopefully he’ll be around for my grandson to use the the crossbow on. More news to follow later in the week,

 

[Christophero]

Keep at it. Soon everything will come together.

 

[BillyC]

Well the early season ended with no deer killed. Weather jerks called for rain so I took the grandson and he was allowed to use his .243 and of course, not a drop of rain. We saw no deer, which was good because on the hike in he dropped his rifle!!!! Looks like I’ll be heading to the range to make sure all is right with the scope. We will get after them again in the late season that starts day after Christmas. Good luck to everyone in your upcoming seasons.