Friday night I shot my first doe with a flint lock. Used a .50 Thompson Center Hawken 75 grains of FF and PRB. I will upload a picture when I figure out how to.
I had been watching four doe from the start of archery season, but this year I really wanted to shoot my first deer with the ole smoke pole, and Friday night I finally got the chance.
I went out Thursday night and didn't see anything, but Friday night they showed up just like they had been all year. She walked out at about 330 and I watched her for about a half hour and she finally presented herself broadside at 50 yards. A year ago I don't think I would have been able to feel comfortable with taking the shot but this summer I work really hard with the gun trying to "cure" myself of the dreaded flinch. I also messed with different charges of powder and realized that it wasn't necessary to use a lot of powder to get good results. Thanks for all of the great information here, it was really helpful and I learned a lot from all of you guys.
To finish the story, my shot was a little low and back resulting in a gut shot and she managed to run 500 yards before finally expiring. I must say I had a lot of fun shooting the flintlock all summer, but now I am definitely hooked. It was really cool to think that I had been able to do what men had done in these same woods 200 or so years ago. The only problem is now I want another gun. I think a smooth rifle is in order. I dunno we'll have to see.
I had been watching four doe from the start of archery season, but this year I really wanted to shoot my first deer with the ole smoke pole, and Friday night I finally got the chance.
I went out Thursday night and didn't see anything, but Friday night they showed up just like they had been all year. She walked out at about 330 and I watched her for about a half hour and she finally presented herself broadside at 50 yards. A year ago I don't think I would have been able to feel comfortable with taking the shot but this summer I work really hard with the gun trying to "cure" myself of the dreaded flinch. I also messed with different charges of powder and realized that it wasn't necessary to use a lot of powder to get good results. Thanks for all of the great information here, it was really helpful and I learned a lot from all of you guys.
To finish the story, my shot was a little low and back resulting in a gut shot and she managed to run 500 yards before finally expiring. I must say I had a lot of fun shooting the flintlock all summer, but now I am definitely hooked. It was really cool to think that I had been able to do what men had done in these same woods 200 or so years ago. The only problem is now I want another gun. I think a smooth rifle is in order. I dunno we'll have to see.
