Flintlock Snobbery

[awebbersr]

Old to percussion new to flintlock. Picked up an Investarms Flintlock 50 cal for $200. First time firing it after reviewing Vlogs was surprisingly consistent. Had surgery on my right eye so shooting lefthanded until 9 month healing is over. I have one question, I see some use the same powder in the barrel and pan,(usually FFFG). Others recommend FFFFG, in the pan. What is the norm?

 

[Cattman]

many mountain men used flintlocks as they didnt fail in tight situations. some mountain men died because their percussion rifle failed in a tight situations.

 

[Enfield58]

Old to percussion new to flintlock. Picked up an Investarms Flintlock 50 cal for $200. First time firing it after reviewing Vlogs was surprisingly consistent. Had surgery on my right eye so shooting lefthanded until 9 month healing is over. I have one question, I see some use the same powder in the barrel and pan,(usually FFFG). Others recommend FFFFG, in the pan. What is the norm?

I use fffg in the barrel and the pan.

I use to use ffffg in the pan but stopped cause it attracts too much moisture.

 

[EC121]

Using 3f for both requires only one grade of powder. Pletcher's ignition speed testing says 4f is faster than 3f(and Null-B is faster than 4f) but if you can't feel the difference it doesn't matter. You can get by with one grade. His testing is talking about millisecond differences in the speed. Human perception is too slow to tell the difference in a couple of msec. I will use my Null-B up and then got to my 7f then to my 4f. No point in leaving it on the shelf.
Everything in Alabama draws moisture. If I need water, I just set a jug on the porch and it fills up on its own.

 

[Rodd Boyer]

Old to percussion new to flintlock. Picked up an Investarms Flintlock 50 cal for $200. First time firing it after reviewing Vlogs was surprisingly consistent. Had surgery on my right eye so shooting lefthanded until 9 month healing is over. I have one question, I see some use the same powder in the barrel and pan,(usually FFFG). Others recommend FFFFG, in the pan. What is the norm?

I don't know if there is a 'norm'.... I reckon the question is; do you want to carry 2 different powders? I only use fffg.
YMMV

Good luck, shoot straight and God bless,
Rodd

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

many mountain men used flintlocks as they didnt fail in tight situations. some mountain men died because their percussion rifle failed in a tight situations.

I’ll bet just as many died using flintlocks when there powder got wet etc.

If this were broadly true, the percussion cap would never had replaced the flintlock system as quickly as it did. It’s awfully funny how some modern shooters think they know better than the folks who had to use these guns “for real” and not for fun on the weekends. It’s not my opinion, the proof is in the pudding. Caplocks mostly replaced flintlocks in all uses very quickly.

 

[Carbon 6]

Caplocks mostly replaced flintlocks in all uses very quickly.

This is true, but not for the reasons one might think. The caplock allowed armies to be manned by men of even the lowest standard with very little training. That's why they became so popular. That, and the fact they were easier to produce.

 

[Bledfor Days]

Uhhh....I use cap guns on the weekend.

 

[Carbon 6]

Uhhh....I use cap guns on the weekend.

Me too, but we are going backwards in evolutionary time, not forwards. We have already reverted to a time more difficult than the present. The flintlock takes it one step further, as do earlier designs. Eventually you end up with only one weapon, your wits.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I should reiterate I LOVE flinters but the history is in the pudding. Barring that, the pudding is in the history(?).

 

[rinejl]

I should reiterate I LOVE flinters but the history is in the pudding. Barring that, the pudding is in the history(?).

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating."

 

[toot]

Using 3f for both requires only one grade of powder. Pletcher's ignition speed testing says 4f is faster than 3f(and Null-B is faster than 4f) but if you can't feel the difference it doesn't matter. You can get by with one grade. His testing is talking about millisecond differences in the speed. Human perception is too slow to tell the difference in a couple of msec. I will use my Null-B up and then got to my 7f then to my 4f. No point in leaving it on the shelf.
Everything in Alabama draws moisture. If I need water, I just set a jug on the porch and it fills up on its own.

what is NULL-B POWDER and where do I get it? sory but I have never heard of it.

 

[toot]

Using 3f for both requires only one grade of powder. Pletcher's ignition speed testing says 4f is faster than 3f(and Null-B is faster than 4f) but if you can't feel the difference it doesn't matter. You can get by with one grade. His testing is talking about millisecond differences in the speed. Human perception is too slow to tell the difference in a couple of msec. I will use my Null-B up and then got to my 7f then to my 4f. No point in leaving it on the shelf.
Everything in Alabama draws moisture. If I need water, I just set a jug on the porch and it fills up on its own.

OK, just what is 7F, powder? another one that I have never heard of? or is it a joke?

 

[jdw276]

what is NULL-B POWDER and where do I get it? sory but I have never heard of it.

Swiss priming powder. Basically bp dust.....

 

[toot]

in GERMAN NULL I beleave is used be fore # 1 when you start counting-NULL- EINE, ETC. so it is a ZERO.

 

[GREENSWLDE]

Rudyard :- I believe it was KGV who said " A Gun Without Hammers Is Like A Spaniel Without Ears" --& Flint locks Have Hammers. Would still like the time to Build a Wheel lock and String burners are definitely Faster that F/Ls. I'm Transsexual as to FL V PE. Have Golds for both but still revert to my Ryan & Watson when the Peasants start to fly even though it looks like Wild birds only this year.. I suppose that makes me a Flint Lock Snob. OLD DOG..

 

[toot]

jgw276, thanks for the reply. bp dust, WOW, now I will bet that is just about the fastest flash / burning on the planet? or is the 7F, BP.? again what is 7F, powder and where do I get it? are both NULL-B and 7F only used for priming flint locks? any and all information will be appreciated. these are both new to me.

 

[EC121]

7f powder is really fine stuff that someone said is used in fireworks. I got a couple of pounds at a shoot many years ago. I don't believe it commercially available. Null-B is available from whoever sells Swiss powder.

 

[Enfield58]

7F? That stuff has to be as fine as baby powder!

 

[Heyboy]

I had some 5f, I believe it was dragon powder or something.