First is never the Last!As the title suggests, I'm currently looking for my first FLINTLOCK rifle. Specifically flintlock, I don't think percussion rifles would appeal to me, but perhaps I'm wrong. Anyhow, I've been browsing around the Muzzle-Loaders.com website, and I really like the Traditions Hawken Woodsman. I watched a couple review videos on YouTube and it seems like a solid first choice, but I'm absolutely not an expert. I have done research on muzzleloaders, and I think I understand how to maintain and operate a muzzleloader SAFELY. I also have adequate range space in my home with a backdrop and targets, and that seems like a good bit of fun but I might dabble in deerhunting eventually, so I would like to know if that rifle fits my needs. Additionally, is this a relatively safe thing to do? As in, will this gun blow up in my face while using proper charges (70-80gr 2F), fully seated ball, tight screws, etc.? I'm just a kid, at fourteen years of age and that's one of my mother's big, if not the biggest concern; if it's not safe, I can't have it. I have also done research on the laws in my state, and from what I understand, I, a minor, am not allowed to purchase powder or a rifle, but an adult (my mother) is, and I, a minor, am allowed to possess an antique firearm without license on private property. I've talked to my mother about it; she will agree to purchase these things under her name (with the money I've been saving for ages) so that I can use them. Just a question of logistics, I suppose.
Thanks!
If flintlocks interest you then you will be replacing a caplock with a flint in the future.As the title suggests, I'm currently looking for my first FLINTLOCK rifle. Specifically flintlock, I don't think percussion rifles would appeal to me, but perhaps I'm wrong. . .
Best to just let her know regardless of muzzleloader found she should just plan on ordering black powder delivered. Much simpler.I've talked to my mother about it; she will agree to purchase these things under her name. . .
Things magically appear for newbies just starting out. Keep reading and asking questions because you never know just what will appear out of nowhere. I started out with percussion and now am about break the ice with a Kibler Rifle. Always remember that nothing is a waste when investing in firearms, GOOD LUCK
Your responses here have peaked my interest in building myself a left handed flinter. I am new to the black powder world but have built modern rifles. I come from a metal, machining, wood working back ground and have a well equipped shop to build most anything. As popular as the Kibler kits are I don't think they offer LH models.i looked at Jim Chambers site and noticed that they offer an RK-4 Issac Haines left handed model. It looks to be around $1200 without any add ons. I'll be looking at that one in the near future. Whether a modern or traditional black powder gun they both take knowledge, time/patience, quality components to build. They are the same but different all at the same time.Gun building is a mix of many many skills.
It requires a great deal of patience.
It requires a love of history and craftsmanship.
I dare say that building a longrifle or musket correctly is on of the greatest hands-on educational endeavors a person can do.
Week and weekend classes are offered at college campuses, event venues and Builder’s shops for aspiring builders.
I’m 51 years old.
How I wish I would have seriously pursued gun building as a teenager.
I get what you mean but I disagree about modern “Hawkens”.You have received much advice. Much of it I'd call intermediate level. Also, if I were a new bee reading it I'd be confused. Somebody needs to write a long post in simple words and sentences explaining step by step the art of the flintlock. Boone (an in-law of mine) and Crocket may have found flintlocks good enough, but they had no choice. They also had knowledgeable mentors, like dads, older brothers, uncles and neighbors to teach them.
You do have a choice, either flint or percussion. Flintlocks are rightly called flinchlocks. You can easily develope a flinch with all that fire and smoke right in your face. A cap lock likely won't cause such a flinch. A flinch will ruin you as a shooter; even as a machine gun shooter. I advise starting with a percussion and developing good shooting and loading skills first.
Start with an assembled rifle, not a musket. Get something like a Thompson Center or Investarms Hawken or one of the many copies. These rifles are called Hawkens, but aren't true Hawkens in the strictest sense.
Caps can usually be found at Graf and Son or MidwayUSA. I buy 1,000 at a time. I have a thousand each of #11 and #10 that weren't hard to find online. Likewise, get real black powder. Easy to buy online. Buy several pounds at a time to defray the hazmat fee. Some dealers will cover the fee themselves, saving you money.
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