Matchlock x accuracy

[Sandro_Ventania]

Why do we never see a target showing good grouping using a matchlock? Isn't it possible to be accurate when shooting with a matchlock?

 

[cyten]

Is this good? Offhand 50 meters. Not by me

 

[BillinOregon]

I would hate to be an enemy of that soldier within 200 meters

 

[Sam squanch]

A few European target rifles were matchlock or tinder locks. Fast ignition and no jarring from a heavy flint smashing a steel.

 

[Canute Rex]

A matchlock is as good as any other firearm with the same barrel. Slightly better because of the "surprise ignition" on non-snapping types. You never know it's going to ignite until after it has ignited, so no flinch. The Germans kept the matchlock on target rifles until the early 18th century.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

The Germans kept the matchlock on target rifles until the early 18th century.

This is true! I'll post some of my groups later.

 

[Rudyard]

Is this good? Offhand 50 meters. Not by me

Is this the bigger ISU target ?.looks it . He' d have to do better than that to place at MLAIC International comps there's some good lads follow that match best ten of 13 at 55 yards OH or Kneeling . Not meaning to disparage that target .of only 10 shots I make that 74 by MLAIC scoreing
Rudyard

 

[cyten]

Is this the bigger ISU target ?.looks it . He' d have to do better than that to place at MLAIC International comps there's some good lads follow that match best ten of 13 at 55 yards OH or Kneeling . Not meaning to disparage that target .of only 10 shots I make that 74 by MLAIC scoreing
Rudyard

No idea, I found it on discussion on a South African forum about blackpowder shooting and thought it fit with the question here

 

[Rudyard]

No idea, I found it on discussion on a South African forum about blackpowder shooting and thought it fit with the question here

Dear Cyten . Well it does fit in the match is at 55 yards that
s a good figure of a man but the target standard or so high now . still a wobbly art. OH I used a ' Mary Rose ' Venetian stye but with Scots restock style . The one Pommy B shot on that Video was one of my 'make regular Venetian much like the ones in the Tower & the ones recovered from Henry the 8ths Ship 'Mary Rose' that Sank in the Solent 1545 or 6 I forget all kinds a items bows .shoes. ect preserved by the mud He bought or wanted to buy many hundreds, The AK of its day . High cyclitic rate of one every so often .Some likely got to Ancrum Moor hence my Scots restocking it was about the same date I could look it up but not important .Are you still in California or on the track some exotic place
. Regards Rudyard where ever you are

 

[Rudyard]

A few European target rifles were matchlock or tinder locks. Fast ignition and no jarring from a heavy flint smashing a steel.

True enough true target rifles had small locks to lesson the jar . even the Turksh Miguelets made small to reduce the jar in target rifles .No jar with the Matchlocks so made sense to use them well after the normal Dates for matchlocks.
Regards Rudyard's

 

[LME]

If there were no differeneces accuracybetween a smooth bore compared to a rifled barrel why would one go to the trouble of rifling a barrel?

 

[Rudyard]

If there were no differeneces accuracybetween a smooth bore compared to a rifled barrel why would one go to the trouble of rifling a barrel?

Well IF that where true there wouldn't be, But it isnt . if at 40 odd yards there isnt too much gain haveing rifleing it holds fouling ,it retards the velocity,and is harder to load , some might even think sights are a must but the less the better at the 40 yards .And at game 40yards is often a long shot well locally at least 15 might be more likley you cant see though much of the time you & the Deer just as surprised .Ive bowled them from the hip before today & one up a scree would have knocked me for a skate had it not been for an old snag catching it as it tumbled down towards me." We done need no estinkin Rifleing !' Regards Rudyard "

 

[LME]

Well IF that where true there wouldn't be, But it isnt . if at 40 odd yards there isnt too much gain haveing rifleing it holds fouling ,it retards the velocity,and is harder to load , some might even think sights are a must but the less the better at the 40 yards .And at game 40yards is often a long shot well locally at least 15 might be more likley you cant see though much of the time you & the Deer just as surprised .Ive bowled them from the hip before today & one up a scree would have knocked me for a skate had it not been for an old snag catching it as it tumbled down towards me." We done need no estinkin Rifleing !' Regards Rudyard "

I have hunted with a pumo shotgun and it shot well enough to take a deer at 40 or 50 yards but when you get down to which is more accurate a rifled barrel wins hands down. With all that said if you are satisfied that is all that counts.

 

[Sandro_Ventania]

If there were no differeneces accuracybetween a smooth bore compared to a rifled barrel why would one go to the trouble of rifling a barrel?

But the issue is not about smootbore or rifle...the issue is about the locking system. It seems that anyone who uses a matchlock isn't worried about making an accurate shot. Well, every photo or video is just concerned with showing the smoking rope... the target that is most important, no one shows it. That's why the question arises as to whether there is something in the matchlock that prevents accurate shots from being achieved.

 

[Sam squanch]

there is nothing in the matchlock system to prevent good shooting- except- flinching from the pan flash.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

It seems that anyone who uses a matchlock isn't worried about making an accurate shot.
…the question arises as to whether there is something in the matchlock that prevents accurate shots from being achieved.

… sounds like you have never shot one. Matchlocks can be more accurate, when you talk smoothbores, to the point that the German match shooters stayed with matchlocks even after firelocks using flint were available.

A matchlock is about the FASTEST ignition of black powder that one can achieve! By my own empirical testing, it is the 2nd fastest, a tinder snaplock being THE fastest black powdah ignition, even faster than percussion arms, as there is zero mechanical interface.

there is nothing in the matchlock system to prevent good shooting- except- flinching from the pan flash.

Well, I am a left-handed shooter and I shoot right-handed original and replica matchlocks, snaplocks and wheellocks and I have NEVER SEEN the pan flash on any black powder musket or rifle, not even on a flintlock.

Keep ALL your attention on the front sight all the way through the shot, where it should be, and you will NEVER see any pan flash!

 

[Sandro_Ventania]

… sounds like you have never shot one. Matchlocks can be more accurate, when you talk smoothbores, to the point that the German match shooters stayed with matchlocks even after firelocks using flint were available.

A matchlock is about the FASTEST ignition of black powder that one can achieve! By my own empirical testing, it is the 2nd fastest, a tinder snaplock being THE fastest black powdah ignition, even faster than percussion arms, as there is zero mechanical interface.

Well, I am a left-handed shooter and I shoot right-handed original and replica matchlocks, snaplocks and wheellocks and I have NEVER SEEN the pan flash on any black powder musket or rifle, not even on a flintlock.

Keep ALL your attention on the front sight all the way through the shot, where it should be, and you will NEVER see any pan flash!

Yes friend...I never shot with matchlock! But I really want to make one! That's why I'm researching and asking, because I like the boommmm, but also hitting the target. I'm researching the various mechanisms and coming up with some ideas. What do you consider to be the best mechanism that favors precision? I accept all opinions... they are welcome!

 

[Rudyard]

I have hunted with a pumo shotgun and it shot well enough to take a deer at 40 or 50 yards but when you get down to which is more accurate a rifled barrel wins hands down. With all that said if you are satisfied that is all that counts.

Well in NZ you are required to use a rifle on Crown lands Read' Public domaine '.The thinking is if smooth bores where allowed people would shoot the Native Birds that are protected. You are OK on Private lands but generally most do use a rifle of some sort there are NO ML only seasons . There are NO seasons or limits at all, since Deer are classed as' pests' (Same a politicians in many cases . but there is no seasons at all on them !) Pumo shotguns ?. Flint or percussion ? .I only use ML s by preference (.I was once a Gov't Culler but the department gave me 303 rounds , I had my own rifle that took them )Many Deer where shot at ranges any old shotgun with ball would be able in the forests I worked in .Mostly .
Cheers Rudyard

 

[Bucks Co]

I was on the Jury at Pforzheim in 1989 and inspected the target when a Japanese competitor posted a 100 - from memory 2 of the 3 other shots were also 10's - that's on the French 200m target - still very impressive. And that's still smoothbores; my own 16th Century Dutch style Matchlock by Rudyard has shot 10 ring size groups (from the bench) on that target -in my experience they have to be driven 'hard' - velocity is the key to accuracy in a smoothie. They are just fun - NMLRA Field Rep Kenyon Simpson was very impressed when he fired mine on his recent visit to NZ. The surprize is the speed of ignition - they are quick. If you've a leaning to have a go; be warned "the Brotherhood of the burning rope" are a welcoming bunch.

 

[LME]

Well in NZ you are required to use a rifle on Crown lands Read' Public domaine '.The thinking is if smooth bores where allowed people would shoot the Native Birds that are protected. You are OK on Private lands but generally most do use a rifle of some sort there are NO ML only seasons . There are NO seasons or limits at all, since Deer are classed as' pests' (Same a politicians in many cases . but there is no seasons at all on them !) Pumo shotguns ?. Flint or percussion ? .I only use ML s by preference (.I was once a Gov't Culler but the department gave me 303 rounds , I had my own rifle that took them )Many Deer where shot at ranges any old shotgun with ball would be able in the forests I worked in .Mostly .
Cheers Rudyard

Pumo shotgun= bad typing the O is to close to the P on my computers keyboard? I am going to move it to another spot? LOL!