Hi Jim. Welcome from Marinduque Island, Philippines. I at 67 years old have been considering a smooth bore Flintlock to use here for snakes. We have King Cobras, Philippine Cobras, Green Vipers, and Pythons. The house we are building is in he Interior, and the trees here are full of them. They drop down onto the garage, and 2nd floor pad of the house from the trees. Gun laws here are very restrictive. Can only have a shotgun or a pistol. No rifles period. Must have a permit for anything. No consideration for antiques, even matchlocks. However, The pythons, and Cobras are good eating. The green vipers are only good for chopping up and feeding the dog. It would be so much easier to shoot them instead of beating them to death with a piece of re-bar. I would really prefer percussion, but Wow, you think it is hard to find caps in the USA, here it is almost impossible. So a Flintlock is my best option.