I am totally addicted

[Fisherking]

I am totally addicted to this smoothbore ans I can’t hit squat… and I could care a less!

My gun is supposed to be 62 cal but a .60 ball and .020 patch is a no go. I am shooting 60 grains with a .595 with a .018 patch. I tried cards, felt wads and several precut patches and so far this is the best combo. I had two at 25 with one hole and I am running maybe 12 inches at 50 offhand. Having never shot a flintlock, I am just totally addicted to pulling the trigger and trying to psych myself into holding steady through the delay. I don’t care where I hit other than just processing through the click.. bang. So much fun.

Not me but a buddy of mine trying it

 

[Bushfire]

It is a hell of a lot of fun.

Keep working at loads, smoothies are fickle. I still haven't got a load I'm set on.

As for the cal, 62 cal I.e. 20G is actually .615 not .620. Maybe try a 0.010 patch. You shouldn't need to beat a ball down a smoothbore and if you do probably should grab a rifle in my opinion.

Editing to add, worth playing around with amount of powder in the pan and the granulation of powder. I've only just started using 4F in the pan and my groups have halved. Its not much of a difference but having slightly less delay removes flinching/wobbling etc.

In the field I may still hunt from the horn with 2F, but maybe not.

 

[Ponderosaman]

Very cool pic.

 

[Fisherking]

I tried .010, I’ve tried cards and felt and fiber wads. I am just having a good time pulling the trigger and getting used to the delay. I will work on actual accuracy shooting off the bench sooner our later.

Today was perfect though- I had the whole range to myself, no wind, 80 degrees. I actually got so into what I was doing, I forgot me ear muffs for a few shots. Stupid but it was a perfect time.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Looking at the picture, I don't see much of a delay. But that seems to be typical that the shooter is concentrating so hard on making the shot that he experiences a delay. The observer, watching the shot, sees no delay. Still always practice follow through. It is needed no matter how fast the ignition.

Do you have a touch hole opened up to 1/16"? Make sure the touch hole and flash channel are open and clear of fouling. Wipe the pan clean. Keep the flint sharp and secure in the jaws of the lock. Enjoy the sensation of the target becoming visible through the smoke. Call the expected position of the shot on the target.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I am totally addicted to this smoothbore ans I can’t hit squat… and I could care a less!

My gun is supposed to be 62 cal but a .60 ball and .020 patch is a no go. I am shooting 60 grains with a .595 with a .018 patch. I tried cards, felt wads and several precut patches and so far this is the best combo. I had two at 25 with one hole and I am running maybe 12 inches at 50 offhand. Having never shot a flintlock, I am just totally addicted to pulling the trigger and trying to psych myself into holding steady through the delay. I don’t care where I hit other than just processing through the click.. bang. So much fun.

Not me but a buddy of mine trying it

I love the enthusiasm…and I get it totally.

Shooting a Flintlock accurately, offhand…it’s all in sight alignment and the follow-through. If you can develop the exact same follow-through, shot after shot…you will be the next State Muzzleloading Champion.

 

[Fisherking]

Looking at the picture, I don't see much of a delay. But that seems to be typical that the shooter is concentrating so hard on making the shot that he experiences a delay. The observer, watching the shot, sees no delay. Still always practice follow through. It is needed no matter how fast the ignition.

Do you have a touch hole opened up to 1/16"? Make sure the touch hole and flash channel are open and clear of fouling. Wipe the pan clean. Keep the flint sharp and secure in the jaws of the lock. Enjoy the sensation of the target becoming visible through the smoke. Call the expected position of the shot on the target.

I am shooting the gun as I purchased it. It is a Chambers lock with a rice barrel. I haven’t modified the touch hole. I have been experimenting with the amount of powder in the pan. That did make a difference. One shots are faster than others but I am a LONG ways from calling the shot placement! It would be great to have that feel.

I am not complaining. I am just working my way through the newness of it and enjoying the path.

 

[Fisherking]

I love the enthusiasm…and I get it totally.

Shooting a Flintlock accurately, offhand…it’s all in sight alignment and the follow-through. If you can develop the exact same follow-through, shot after shot…you will be the next State Muzzleloading Champion.

IF. That is a big word. lol.

I have a long ways to go. Currently, my follow thru could more be described as a blink-flinch-nerve tick maybe.

I am exaggerating but inconsistency isn’t.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

You have a lot you can play around with. Bare ball in a nest of tow, loose thin patch around that .595 ball, trying a .60 ball, etc.
It is fun to go through the process. Keep your excellent attitude, and take notes on what you change/try. Change only one variable at a time and record your results.
Enjoy this because once you're done you can start developing your shot load!

 

[tenngun]

I started shooting a flinter in the late 1970s. So nearing fifty years now. I let a lot of folk try my flinter, and they all comment on the delay, but I can’t see it.
After a bit with a flinter you won’t notice it at all, and tigger pull, flash and shot will all seem the same.

 

[Ninering62]

I am totally addicted to this smoothbore ans I can’t hit squat… and I could care a less!

My gun is supposed to be 62 cal but a .60 ball and .020 patch is a no go. I am shooting 60 grains with a .595 with a .018 patch. I tried cards, felt wads and several precut patches and so far this is the best combo. I had two at 25 with one hole and I am running maybe 12 inches at 50 offhand. Having never shot a flintlock, I am just totally addicted to pulling the trigger and trying to psych myself into holding steady through the delay. I don’t care where I hit other than just processing through the click.. bang. So much fun.

Not me but a buddy of mine trying it

Its awesome that you're enjoying shooting your flinter, it's a discipline unto itself. One I have never attempted. It sounds like your terrible groups at 50yds are as much attributed to you as it is your gun & its load. Try eliminating one of those elements by shooting off a bench rest, until the gun is putting one ragged hole groups at whatever range you intend to shoot, then work on your shooting skills & technique shooting standing & freehand.

 

[waksupi]

Forsake all other guns for at least one year, shooting the smoothbore exclusively. You will find it (you) becomes much more accurate.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Forsake all other guns for at least one year, shooting the smoothbore exclusively. You will find it (you) becomes much more accurate.

Very true…beware the man that shoots one gun….

 

[Pikie]

This entire post is pretty much what fun is all about. Everyone, including me is here to offer you all the free unsolicited advice you can read! AND it keeps getting better. Be safe and enjoy. Don’t be afraid of trying a bare ball. With no patch. Also try loading it with powder, a nitro card, wad, ball and over shot card. Like you would a shotgun. It may shoot better. Good luck, Vince.

 

[user 49399]

Free and unsolicited: I sometimes load my .62 caliber Fusil de Chasse with 50 grains of 2f. Then a wad of either jute tow, brown paper, wasp nest or sheep’s wool. Then a half inch glass marble and topped off with another piece of same wadding. I prime with 2f. This makes a good plinking load and is surprisingly accurate out to 25 yards.

Using wadding instead of patches, I have loaded my Fusil with #6 shot, homemade swan shot, lead round balls (.440, .490 & .495) and half inch glass marbles. One time I even used .177 caliber BB’s in a paper shot cup and it worked. Most folks think you shouldn’t use steel BB’s in a smooth bore, but at least I know it works.

 

[Timber Wolf]

Free and unsolicited: I sometimes load my .62 caliber Fusil de Chasse with 50 grains of 2f. Then a wad of either jute tow, brown paper, wasp nest or sheep’s wool. Then a half inch glass marble and topped off with another piece of same wadding. I prime with 2f. This makes a good plinking load and is surprisingly accurate out to 25 yards.

Using wadding instead of patches, I have loaded my Fusil with #6 shot, homemade swan shot, lead round balls (.440, .490 & .495) and half inch glass marbles. One time I even used .177 caliber BB’s in a paper shot cup and it worked. Most folks think you shouldn’t use steel BB’s in a smooth bore, but at least I know it works.

You ought to be ashamed shooting up Junior’s marbles like that. Do kids even play with marbles these days?

 

[COTNTOP]

You can't be doing as bad as I on my first time shooting a flinter. Those guys are still laughing and it has been several months ago.

 

[tenngun]

Was out today, due to not filling my powder horn and letting some other folk shoot my gun I ended up with only seven shots at the target.
First three I had two low one flier, next three on target, and one flier I couldn’t find. But 2.5x1.5” is pretty good for a smoothie
75 grains 2 f, .526 patched ball in .54 smooth rifle

 

[Polecat_Tom]

When I am out shooting my Tradegun and people ask me how I did I tell them great because I pulled the trigger and it went bang. Kidding aside, the more you shoot it the less flinch you will have. As others have said, keep practicing and change one veritable at a time. You will get there.

 

[smo]

Dry fire, dry fire, dry fire….

Here’s an inspirational target for you…

Rest In Peace Mr. Tip

50 yards , off hand , Smoothbore .58 iirc…