So, for this year I'm going to try something I've always been fascinated by....a large bore flintlock pistol. I've decided to go with a MSVTC French 1773 pistol to start my flintlock journey.(which I believe is either .69 or .71cal.)
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Getting a flintlock pistol.......
- Thread starter nightwolf1974
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Enjoy and send pics.
Reading Pete's descriptions are not easy. Are these .69 or .71 cal.?
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Hi Nightwolf
You want to wait till you receive the pistol so that you can mic the bore to be sure. While generally advertised as a .69, it could end up being between say .68 and .71. Especially with the India made guns. You will want a ball size about 2-3 calibers smaller than bore size. I've found that these large, smooth bore pistols shoot decent with about 30-35 grains of FFG black powder. Generally, they are only good out to about 15 yards. But that's likely all they were made for. But they are definitely fun to shoot.
Rick
You want to wait till you receive the pistol so that you can mic the bore to be sure. While generally advertised as a .69, it could end up being between say .68 and .71. Especially with the India made guns. You will want a ball size about 2-3 calibers smaller than bore size. I've found that these large, smooth bore pistols shoot decent with about 30-35 grains of FFG black powder. Generally, they are only good out to about 15 yards. But that's likely all they were made for. But they are definitely fun to shoot.
Rick
I've done just about everything else in BP, so I'm looking forward to it. I NEVER shoot my BP guns to "full potential", and don't try to make magnums out of them. When I was younger I had a .54cal. T/C Renegade someone (not me) cut the barrel down to 18", and shot a Maxi-Ball on top of 120 grns. of 2F.....but I've learned a lot since then. I'm not recoil sensitive, after shooting unmentionable big bores....just got a little smarter. 
And as far as limited range, I kinda guessed that from my experience with Kentucky Pistols, Philadelphia Derringers, CVA Trapper Pistols, and such....but still I wanna shoot at and attempt to hit something, not just burn powder. If I like the flintlock, I might go for a 1805 Harper's Ferry or a French "AN IX" from DGW. At worst, I'll just use it for my Highwayman Cosplay setup. So there is no way to lose on this venture.
