flintlock pistol squirrels

[George]

I'm planning on adding my 20 ga. flintlock smoothbore pistol to my kit when hunting squirrels. I wind up pretty close to a lot of them, and I think it would be fun to try taking some with it. I've worked out a basic load and shot a couple of squirrels with it, but I'd be interested to hear from anyone with experience doing this with a smooth flintlock pistol.

Also, any suggestions on a safe and convenient way to carry the pistol and get into action quickly?

Spence

 

[PGTMG]

I have no helpful hints but please report back on how you fair.

 

[Flint311]

No hints to report either, but sounds like an interesting way to hunt and put a sneak on the bushy tails!

 

[Zonie]

Get a leather frizzen cover (sometimes called a hammer stall) to prevent accidental discharges.

This cover slips over the frizzen (hammer) to prevent the flint from hitting it.

The cover can be tied to a short length of leather strapping that can be tied to the trigger guard to prevent its loss while your shooting.

 

[Bretwalda]

George:

I use a .56 (28ga.) smoothbore percussion pistol(as per Zonies concern this pistols lock has a safety slide on it) with a 10" barrel that I had CJoe jug choke. I have found that I need 25 grains of 1.5f Swiss and 5/8 ounce of #4 nickle plated shot to be the most effective loading. You need to be close 15 yards or less is best...20 is about the max for my gun. But what a hoot it is to take one with the pistol! :thumbsup:

 

[chance]

Good luck and please post pics of hunt!!

 

[George]

Get a leather frizzen cover (sometimes called a hammer stall) to prevent accidental discharges.

Excellent suggestion, that's my next project. I have one which I use all the time on my 20 ga. J. Brown Carolina, and it works very well. Having one on a pistol stuck in your belt seems a smart thing to do.

Thanks.

Spence

 

[George]

You need to be close 15 yards or less is best...20 is about the max for my gun. But what a hoot it is to take one with the pistol! :thumbsup:

My pistol is 20 ga. with an 8 1/2" barrel, cylinder bore. I settled on 35 grains FFFg Goex, 2 card wads of 1/8", an equal volume of #5 shot and thin overshot card. I found the patterns too dense at 5 yards, acceptable but getting thin at 15, pretty fair at 8-12 yards. I wouldn't try one at 20 yards, might hurt him.

I agree, it's a hoot. I've only ever shot a couple, but it was special. But then, I've never done anything with a flintlock pistol which wasn't special. :grin:

Spence

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I've taken lots of 'em with my .54 smoothbore caplock pistol. #5 shot and about max range is 30'.

 

[George]

Get a leather frizzen cover (sometimes called a hammer stall) to prevent accidental discharges.

No sooner said than done...

Spence

 

[Bretwalda]

I "cheat" a bit and do use a cut down plastic wad to improve pattern performance and distance. My experience has shown that #5 or 5.5# nickle shot will "usually" kill them. I had two of them ball up and run halfway up a tree after being shot to fall back down dead with this smaller shot; when skinning them I fould a number of the pellets had only penetrated under the skin a short distance into the flesh of these big old fox squirrels; but #4 nickle plated shot will stop them dead. :grin: (I really have only ever taken 8-10 squirrels with the pistol.) I only use nickle plated shot for max penetration and best pattern performance. :thumbsup: YMMV. Good luck and good hunting.

 

[der mike]

let's talk about the pistol.........is it a kit or homebrew? I want one. der mike

 

[George]

let's talk about the pistol.........is it a kit or homebrew? I want one. der mike

I'm afraid I can't tell you much. It's a Jackie Brown pistol, but I don't think it is one he offers for sale, maybe he never did. It is generally similar to his Carolina pistol, stock shape being the main difference, I think. He said he was working on a new type pistol that he hoped would be a popular style. He said it was a 20 ga. smoothbore, larger than a pocket pistol but different from his Carolina pistol, just large enough to stick in a belt with 8 inch barrel. Small Siler flint. I wound up with the prototype, but if he ever put the pistol in his line I never saw it.

Jackie has made several different pistols over the years, I occasionally see them at shows, etc., but the Carolina is the only one I've ever seen advertised.

Here are a couple more pictures:

And a link to his page:
http://www.jackiebrownmuzzleloaders.com/default.aspx

Spence

 

[hawk]

:thumbsup:

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Ahh give the little fellas a chance. Use a ball. Head shots.

 

[mazo kid]

...Jackie has made several different pistols over the years, I occasionally see them at shows, etc., but the Carolina is the only one I've ever seen advertised.
Spence

A buddy of mine donated a Jackie Brown 20 ga. pistol as a prize at one of our favorite rendezvous....unfortunately, I didn't win it. :cursing: I don't know what model it was as I only saw it briefly.

 

[George]

Well, that worked out pretty well. I figured out that I could carry the pistol in a wide leather belt I wear with my rifle shirt. Adjusted correctly it lets the pistol stay in place, it doesn't slip around or try to fall out, doesn't knock the hammer stall off but is easy and fast to get out and ready to fire. Went turkey hunting this morning, then squirrel hunting after that didn't pay off, and got to try it out. I was carrying a 20 gauge SxS with the pistol stuck in my belt. A fat fox squirrel sow popped up on a limb 12 yards away, I did my imitation of Quick Draw McGraw, slipped the stall off and popped it, instant dead.

I love flintlocks in any form.

Spence

 

[newtothis]

wow. and i thought i was the cool guy tryin to git em with a longbow. :bow:

 

[JAK]

Where did you get the pistol from?? I would love to have one for myself for hunting small game like you. Plus I love flints on pistols..Please let me know

Thanks
Jason K

 

[George]

Where did you get the pistol from??

It's a Jackie Brown pistol. He has offered several different ones over the years, but his standard one seems to be the Carolina model. This isn't that gun, and I'm sorry, but I don't know what he called it. I got it in 1998 and don't know if it is still available.
http://www.jackiebrownmuzzleloaders.com/Products.aspx

Spence