flintlock

[Wyogoat]

I agree with the above and I've resisted responding until now because there was solid advice. Embrace the occasional misfire of the flintlock and use that to become a better shooter, you'll be a better shot with everything you pick up.
I seem to get 40ish shots from a flint and have a few misfires per match but I assume every shot will be a misfire and therefore I dont flinch or pull and can call every shot before the smoke clears.
As far as hunting I've never had a misfire but that flint is sharp and jagged and I dont mind basically sacrificing a flint to make sure I get good sparks in exchange for maybe only 10 to 15 shots out of it in a hunting situation. In matches I dont mind a misfire because I'm always working on something when I shoot and surprise shot, trigger pull and follow through are always paramount. The misfire let's me know what I'm doing wrong and keeps me honest.
I'll end with saying that flint is a state of mind. You have to want to be a good shot with it and that takes time. The groups will open up for a while but eventually it all click and then you are back to where you were, or better than, with the percussion rifle. The number one thing that helped me was not having a percussion gun around to fall back on...and few things are sweeter than winning open matches by a landslide with a flintlock and the rest of the podium has percussion guns.

 

[frankie]

I agree with the above and I've resisted responding until now because there was solid advice. Embrace the occasional misfire of the flintlock and use that to become a better shooter, you'll be a better shot with everything you pick up.
I seem to get 40ish shots from a flint and have a few misfires per match but I assume every shot will be a misfire and therefore I dont flinch or pull and can call every shot before the smoke clears.
As far as hunting I've never had a misfire but that flint is sharp and jagged and I dont mind basically sacrificing a flint to make sure I get good sparks in exchange for maybe only 10 to 15 shots out of it in a hunting situation. In matches I dont mind a misfire because I'm always working on something when I shoot and surprise shot, trigger pull and follow through are always paramount. The misfire let's me know what I'm doing wrong and keeps me honest.
I'll end with saying that flint is a state of mind. You have to want to be a good shot with it and that takes time. The groups will open up for a while but eventually it all click and then you are back to where you were, or better than, with the percussion rifle. The number one thing that helped me was not having a percussion gun around to fall back on...and few things are sweeter than winning open matches by a landslide with a flintlock and the rest of the podium has percussion guns.

Thanks Wyogoat.

 

[user 49399]

Frankie,

I do all my small game hunting with a flintlock. It’s a different experience than any other type of firearm. I’ve been learning to make flints and now have a lifetime supply of them. It’s rewarding to use a flint made from a rock picked up on the farm.

 

[hanshi]

I hunt exclusively with flintlocks (actually stopped hunting some 5 years ago however) and use them for near 99% of general shooting; yes, they are just that much fun. With a well tuned and cared for flintlock it will be difficult, I find it mostly impossible, to tell much of any difference in speed compared with percussion. A flintlock simply won't be as fast or faster than a percussion. The idea - where it came from I have no inkling - that a flintlock fires before the cock comes to a rest at the frizzen is pure hogwash. The difference in speed of cap vs flint is generally beyond the ear's ability to discern, but the speed difference is quite significant nevertheless. At the range those shooters who accept my offer to shoot my flintlocks are always astonished that the the gun seems to fire instantaneously (it does not) when the trigger is touched. It's just that human ears rarely can detect the "microscopic" bits of a second.

 

[pilot]

I have an older T/C Hawken in flint. The speed of the lock firing the gun was so slow, it created quite a flinch. I traded it off a long time ago. Last winter, after killing a deer with a percussion rifle, I traded back the flintlock Hawken. It was still slow to fire. I bought a L&R replacement lock for it. It works a lot better, but still slow. I think the problem is that the touch hole is so high, about a quarter inch above the pan.

I bought a Kibler from a member here a couple months ago and holy cow, what a difference. Fast enough that my flinch is gone. Highly recommended.

 

[Africa58double]

Follow thru is imperative regardless of speed of lock time. Milliseconds are irrelevant to me. Hence why I just bought another Flintlock T/C today and not a high dollar one. The T/C ones are sufficient for my needs. I’ll put my extra money towards powder, lead and flints.

 

[DuncNZ]

I don't find my flintlocks any less reliable then my caplocks , in fact I sold my caplocks because flint is more fun , The reliability of a well made and tuned flintlock is the shooters responsibility , using sharp flints , setting them in the Jaws correctly , keeping flint , pan and frizzen clean , pricking each charge and using just the right amount and placement of prime , are all part of the game and become routine with practice . Flintlocks are just more fun . The grace and style of an American long rifle flintlock makes shooting it more of dance than a routine .

 

[Omahkapi'si]

Just ordered my first flintlock and will have it in April. Some good info here guys. After shooting my caplock I cannot wait to have a flintlock.

 

[DuncNZ]

Good on you , what did you order ? remember " Beware the man with one gun" That is because he doesn't know about shooting anything other than that which he has .

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I ordered a Pedersoli Frontier Maple .50 cal.

 

[nhmoose]

Not being lazy I clean my flintlock every day that I shoot it. I have ben shooting ML since early 70's. I clean what I shoot that day. I have never screwed up a bore to to rust or corrasion.

I have hunted exclusively with ML all Wethers and such. When I fire a shot, The gun will be cleaned that night. When I do not fire a shot I unprime block the touchhole and wipe down the exterior and the bore. I have had no problems firing or with rusting doing this. Take it as you will that is MY experience do whatever you want

Not my gun.

I hate autocorrect

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Im thinking of buying a flintlock rifle. Are they dependable shooters? How many shots on average can one shoot using the same piece if flint?

My little flintlock habits:

I like a touch-hole that is 0.061-0.063. This seems to give me nice consistent ignition, shot to shot. I have a muslin cloth that I tie around a strap on my shooting bag or around my powder horn, and I use this to wipe clean the frizzen, pan, and remove built up powder residue from the flint between each shot. Just before I prime the pan, I always pick the touch-hole so that I can feel the powder granuals, this ensures that the opening is clear…and that I actually did put powder down the bore.

I have become acquainted with a gentleman in my area, that is incredibly knowledgeable on muzzleloaders. He’s been building them for the better part of 40+ years. I recently had a modification project for him. He took an old Dixie Tennessee Mountain rifle that I had picked up at a local rendezvous and re-barreled it to 0.45 calibre with a 36 inch barrel. While he was working on this project, he completely tuned the flintlock on that gun…OMG. The ignition on that flintlock is so incredibly fast, I did not think it possible.

Shoot your gun for a couple months, then see if you can find a gunsmith to tune your locks…yeah, amazing. I’m kind of a penny-pincher…One by one I’ll be having each of my flintlocks tuned. I would say food for thought….

 

[stikshooter]

Contrary to what folks generally say, a flintlock is less reliable. That is a fact. For the simple fact that a percussion gun only has one real variable: the cap. A flintlock has more variables. The ultimate in "no chance of failure" is a modern single shot or bolt action using factory ammo. The opposite of said ultimate is a flintlock or matchlock. I have a custom gun with a tuned lock. But if the flint becomes worn it will flash with no bang. Caplocks don't do that. They may have a failure in the cap, but I have never had a caplock fail.

Now... you should buy a flintlock, but not because it is more reliable or anything like that. It's simply the most fun on planet earth. It is the best combination of grace, function, and organic reality one can shoot.

Buy one and love all that is flawed and fantastic about it.

2nd is the flame channel for percussion unlike the straight shot a flint lock gives you ,and 3rd (most important) is availability !! A woods walk can find lots of candidates for ignition without fruitless searches for on line venders without stock /no back order ./Ed

 

[Cattywompuss]

2nd is the flame channel for percussion unlike the straight shot a flint lock gives you ,and 3rd (most important) is availability !! A woods walk can find lots of candidates for ignition without fruitless searches for on line venders without stock /no back order ./Ed

Availability of caps should only be a factor for new shooters and those who failed to master the art of logistics by age 30. In 30 years I've never had the vent on a percussion gun get clogged. But then I always cleaned my vents after a day's shooting. As well as putting musket nipples on everything.

But you'll note I recommended a flintlock. I only shoot flintlock these days.

 

[GAHUNTER60]

Flintlock locks are like people; some are just better than others! I now have close to 400 shots from my Kibler, and just changed to my fourth flint. The one I just put in is my first English black flint and has yet to fire a shot. The other three were all French Amber flints that came from Kibler when I bought the rifle.

Better than long flint life, though, is the fact that I can count the amount of failures to fire on one hand. When I pull the trigger, even with a flint that has 60-plus shots behind it, I fully expect it to go boom.

The same can not be said for all flintlocks, however. I have shot with folks using imported factory rifles who are more surprised when their rifle actually fires than when it doesn't upon pulling the trigger. Some of these guys are lucky to get 20 shots from a flint before failure to ignite becomes a problem.

Bottom line, when it comes to flintlocks, quality is not King -- it's EVERYTHING!

 

[frankie]

Flintlock locks are like people; some are just better than others! I now have close to 400 shots from my Kibler, and just changed to my fourth flint. The one I just put in is my first English black flint and has yet to fire a shot. The other three were all French Amber flints that came from Kibler when I bought the rifle.

Better than long flint life, though, is the fact that I can count the amount of failures to fire on one hand. When I pull the trigger, even with a flint that has 60-plus shots behind it, I fully expect it to go boom.

The same can not be said for all flintlocks, however. I have shot with folks using imported factory rifles who are more surprised when their rifle actually fires than when it doesn't upon pulling the trigger. Some of these guys are lucky to get 20 shots from a flint before failure to ignite becomes a problem.

Bottom line, when it comes to flintlocks, quality is not King -- it's EVERYTHING!

Thanks Hunter

 

[Africa58double]

Tc Flintlock Goodness

 

[frankie]

Tc Flintlock Goodness View attachment 127490View attachment 127491View attachment 127492

let me field test it. lol I like it.

 

[Africa58double]

let me field test it. lol I like it.

Ha- I need to get to the range with them. Just picked up a pound of 4F Goex…. And that Penn Hunter carbine has never been shot- it’s Do!

 

[frankie]

Ha- I need to get to the range with them. Just picked up a pound of 4F Goex…. And that Penn Hunter carbine has never been shot- it’s Do!

I bet it will be a lot of fun. Easy to carry