New to flintlocks - Advice welcome

[Gene L]

Perhaps I misunderstood. My squirrel rifle is "zeroed" for 30 yards. I realize I may have to hold over for farther distances. But my Blue Ridge rifle had the front sight so high that it HAD to be filed. Otherwise, it would have shot about a foot or two low.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Replace the factory blade and you'll be better off than messing with the thick, factory steel block that it comes with.

Standard 3/8 base and your set.

I installed a decorative floral finial blade on the one I re-worked. Worth doing and is far more appealing than the factory offering. Also do not file the base flush with the barrel flats.

 

[Critter Getter]

I replaced my sight as well with a simple blade but really like your front sight much better. I still needed to file it down a good bit. With the factory sight on the rifle shot a full 2 ft. low at 30 yards. I really like the dark stain on your refinished stock as well. I have never seen a problem on any of my Hatfields or Pedersoli Frontier or Blue Ridge rifles concerning the barrel attachment system as my Hatfields have always been excellent shooters accuracy wise. Don't understand the improvement advantage to pinning the barrel. I wonder if a person could shim the barrel up with the factory setup to make the rifle shoot a bit higher as everyone I have heard of shoots way low from the factory? Greg.

 

[azmntman]

Sites move with the barrel so shimming :idunno:

File or replace with lower front or adjustable rear.

 

[Critter Getter]

Well Frozen, how is it going with your new Blue Ridge flinter? Finding a suitable load yet? Greg.

 

[Frozenwinter]

Well Frozen, how is it going with your new Blue Ridge flinter? Finding a suitable load yet? Greg.

Unfortunately I haven't gotten out to shoot it yet. We got insanely busy at work and I haven't been able to do any shooting since.
Placed an order with Track of the Wolf for most of what I need to shoot it.
Now i just need to find some time to take off work early and buy some powder at one of the 2 places near me that actually carry real black powder.
Up till now I've only used pyrodex in my cap and ball guns. Looking forward to actually having real black powder.

 

[Frozenwinter]

Well my package from Track of the Wolf arrived, now I've got everything I need to shoot my rifle except for powder.
Now I just need to leave work a hair early some time this week so I can pick up some black powder and I'll be shooting it this weekend.

 

[bpd303]

:thumbsup:

 

[SgtErv]

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast'

 

[Frozenwinter]

Well I ran out to Track of the Wolf today and picked up 2 pounds of 3F Goex.
Looks like I'll be doing some shooting this weekend. Just in time too as it should be pretty nice out this weekend.

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I'll be back with a range report after I put a few rounds through it. :grin:

 

[Bill Bryan]

I've shot my .50 cal rifles and pistols with 3f for years. I works great. I only target shoot so I only use 35-40 grains of black power. Bill

 

[Frozenwinter]

Well, my first range trip with my flintlock went really well.

25 yards off the bench, good grouping.
started off with 50grns and worked up to 100, didnt seem to get any changes in grouping as i worked up.

next time ill have to bring a file with so i can adjust the sights.


Thanks for all the advice everyone, needless to say, im hooked up this flintlock

 

[Zonie]

You will probably see more variation due to changes in the powder load at ranges of 50 yards or more.

The 25 yards range is too short for the variations due to the powder load to show up.

That doesn't mean I'm against shooting at 25 yards.
It is a good starting distance to do exactly what you did. To find out where the sights are pointing the barrel.

After you've done a bit of filing to bring the group up to center, then switch to the larger distances and start trying the different powder loads.