First time shooter

[Jeremy Bays]

This is my first flintlock....and first muzzleloader. I built it from a Traditions kit. I was luck enough to shoot it this weekend with a local muzzleloader club I found on the internet (First Santa Fe Plainsmen of Kansas). About 20 shots and EVERYONE fired (that is a win for me).
I have a few newbie questions now....what is the cheapest place to get flints? I ordered mine from Amazon for about $8 for 2. Is this a good price?
Also, and suggestions for a load. It is .50 caliber (.490 round balls and pillow ticking patch). I am using 60 grains of 2fg.
Thanks
Jeremy

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

View attachment 18722

This is my first flintlock....and first muzzleloader. I built it from a Traditions kit. I was luck enough to shoot it this weekend with a local muzzleloader club I found on the internet (First Santa Fe Plainsmen of Kansas). About 20 shots and EVERYONE fired (that is a win for me).
I have a few newbie questions now....what is the cheapest place to get flints? I ordered mine from Amazon for about $8 for 2. Is this a good price?
Also, and suggestions for a load. It is .50 caliber (.490 round balls and pillow ticking patch). I am using 60 grains of 2fg.
Thanks
Jeremy

Jeremy,
First of all welcome to the forum, lots of good people and info here.
Your charge is in the ball park for a 50 cal. Shoot groups of three or four at 25, 50 and 100 yrds with less and more powder charges to see what your rifle likes best. The charge that gives you the best group is what you want for target shooting, but if hunting you may have to compromise some to give a higher foot pounds of energy. Follow manufactures recommendations so you do not overload. You didn't say what your PT thickness is, but you want it snug enough that a starter is needed. I purchase my flints from Track of the Wolf. There might be cheaper, but Track always treats me right, so I get them there. $8 is way too high. Do not skimp on good flints if you want to keep your flinter shooting consistent.
Photos of your targets are always welcome here.
Flintlocklar

 

[cositrike]

You could try track of the Wolf for flints. They’re about $2+ each. As for load, it’s all about trial and error. I’d start at around 45 grains 2 or 3f. .49 ball and probably about 15 thou ticking. Shoot some 5 shot groups around 25 yards and work up the pounder charge in about 5 grain increments. Depending on your actual bore size, you may need thicker/thinner patch and larger/ smaller ball. Working out what shoots best is all part of the fun.

 

[THBailey]

X2 on TOTW.

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Search.aspx?search=flints

 

[Brian Gibbs]

+1 for track of the wolf flints. English flints.
That rifle reminds me of a .45 cal. CVA Kentucky rifle I used to take my first deer!
Hope you have fun with trying different loads and learning what works for you!
Dang addictive flintlocks!

 

[Jeremy Bays]

Jeremy,
First of all welcome to the forum, lots of good people and info here.
Your charge is in the ball park for a 50 cal. Shoot groups of three or four at 25, 50 and 100 yrds with less and more powder charges to see what your rifle likes best. The charge that gives you the best group is what you want for target shooting, but if hunting you may have to compromise some to give a higher foot pounds of energy. Follow manufactures recommendations so you do not overload. You didn't say what your PT thickness is, but you want it snug enough that a starter is needed. I purchase my flints from Track of the Wolf. There might be cheaper, but Track always treats me right, so I get them there. $8 is way too high. Do not skimp on good flints if you want to keep your flinter shooting consistent.
Photos of your targets are always welcome here.
Flintlocklar

Well, I shot the center of the target......in someone else's lane.
OK- seriously, I did dial it in and got centered at 25 yards. I'll work on it from here.

 

[Grenadier1758]

When you do order your flints, be sure add the special instruction to select flat top and bottom. If you don't, plan on searching the forum for information on how to secure a flint with the hump on one of the flats.

Since you are new to these flint locks, you might benefit from ordering "Black Powder Accuracy" from @Dr5x, Dutch Schoultz. It's easily worth the minor cost to get all his years of insight to shooting black powder rifles.

 

[Brian Gibbs]

When you do order your flints, be sure add the special instruction to select flat top and bottom. If you don't, plan on searching the forum for information on how to secure a flint with the hump on one of the flats.

Great input! This will absolutely save you time!

 

[Col. Batguano]

Of course, the CHEAPEST place to get flints is to find your own flint nodules out in nature and spall and knap your own. Some people even use quartz they pick up in their driveway. That said, (assuming you want to go the store-bought route) you should be able to find flints for $2 or even less. Track is a good source, but there are others as well. They can be re-knapped and sharpened many times, either with a hammer, or pressure-flaking.

 

[hanshi]

Welcome, Jeremy. I agree that TOW is a great place to get your flints from. $8 for two is outlandish. I saw them on Amazon and was astonished. $1 to $2 a flint is about normal.

 

[ebutch]

Hey Jeremy, Purchase a good pair of safety glasses if you haven’t already as well especially for flintlocks, hope you enjoy shooting them. They are very addicting!

 

[Don Steele]

Welcome. No need to pile on here about sourcing flints. Looks like there’s been enough said on that for the moment. If you’re going to shoot a flintlock, you’ve got some learning to do. Learn to knap/freshen your flints as you shoot to keep a good edge, extend flint life and save money. Some use 3f for their main charge and prime as well with excellent results. Just something to consider.
+ one for getting hold of Dutch and you can cut years off the learning curve.
Most importantly... ENJOY..!!

 

[Loyalist Dave]

No need to pile on here about sourcing flints. Looks like there’s been enough said on that for the moment.

Well actually, I think that one should try to pick out the flints that they buy if at all possible...,
Which usually means going to an event like a rendezvous or a market fair, even if you're walking around in modern clothes for the day, and not camping.

About 20 shots and EVERYONE fired (that is a win for me).

Well done!

LD