First flintlock deer

[T Gregory]

I got the urge to build my own flintlock rifle several years ago. I ordered a York rifle kit in .40 cal from Chambers and the journey began. It took me a few years to complete the build because life kept getting in the way but 2 years ago i finished it. I got a shot opportunity at a doe last year but I got too excited and jerked the trigger at the moment of truth. I was laughing out loud and mentally kicking myself as the deer ran out of the field unscathed. Fast forward to this year's muzzleloader season. I had hunted hard all week with no luck. I returned to the same field that I missed the doe last year and set up in the same spot. About 20 minutes into the hunt I looked up and saw a doe in the same spot as the year before. I have no way of knowing but it could have been the same deer. I posiitioned myself for the shot and was mentally chanting to myself "focus on the spot, squeeze the trigger, and follow through." I knew when the trigger broke that the shot was good. I watched the deer run in a half circle and fall just inside the woods. She made it about 60 yards total. She was slightly quarted to me at about 50 yards when I shot. The ball entered just in front of the shoulder joint and exited in the crease on the opposite side. My load was a .390 ball, .010 patch, over 60gr fffg powder. I am very thankful that I got a deer with a rifle that I built and a ball that I cast.

 

[Ballshooter]

Awesome congrats!

 

[jackpine54]

Congratulations! The meat always tastes better when you do it with a flintlock.

 

[Tradbow]

Good deal on the deer. Getting it with the flint lock just makes it better

 

[bushytail]

Congratulations!

 

[Tizzy]

Congrats! Great looking rifle and nice doe. A flintlock brings in an additional challenge when your ancy aiming at a deer...I missed my first crack at a doe with a flintlock as well.

 

[Dutch7]

Well done - self built success!

 

[JamesT]

Nice story man. Good job with the rifle and the deer.

 

[ORBushman]

Congrats all around! Great looking rifle, accomplishment and now, meat on the table!

 

[Red Eye]

Very nice story and congrats on the deer.!

 

[Spikebuck]

I must have been sleeping while reading to have missed commenting in December.

Congrats on a fine deer and a beautiful rifle build! That "little" .40 sure did its job.

 

[user 31232]

Sweet!!!!!

 

[Bushfire]

Congratulations mate

 

[hanshi]

That was a good shot and your .40 did the rest. Congratulations.

 

[tom_in_vt]

Great job, congrats!