New to Flintlocks

[tomm9903]

Hello all, I have just 10 minutes ago purchased a new Traditions Deer Hunter in .50 cal. On Gun Broker and I am new to using a flintlock. I currently have a CVA .50 cal Hawken, .50 cal Kentucky pistol, .58 cal 1863 Zouave, and a .44 cal 1858 Remington all in percussion. I have been shooting BP for over 40 years and but never have I shot a flinter. Any advice or heads up about the beast would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Tom M

 

[tenngun]

Watch Black Powder Tv, Dualist 54, Black powder Maniac, and still water woodcraft videos on You Tube. Lots of good info on how to.

 

[tomm9903]

Watch Black Powder Tv, Dualist 54, Black powder Maniac, and still water woodcraft videos on You Tube. Lots of good info on how to.

Thank you. I certainly will. One quick question. I have some 3f available, would that work ok for priming the pan?

 

[Carbon 6]

Make sure you have the proper size flints, learn to align them properly and how to knap a new edge on them when needed. Then just remember to "hold" when you pull the trigger.
Learn those and you'll fall in love with it.

 

[Carbon 6]

Thank you. I certainly will. One quick question. I have some 3f available, would that work ok for priming the pan?

Yes, but those small locks like 4f better IMO.

 

[BullRunBear]

I bought one of those a few years ago so my wife, who is small, could have a flintlock that's comfortable for her. It doesn't look like it came from 1780 but it sparks well and does the job. The instruction manual should give the flint size needed. I prefer the black English flints from Track of the Wolf.

Be careful. Flintlocks are addictive. They also can reproduce in the gun safe while you aren't looking.

Jeff

 

[tenngun]

I shoot what’s in my horn. So I prime with 2f or 3 f. Careful high speed filming has shown 4 f to be a bit faster, but not noticeable to human senses. 2 f is slower and noticeably so but not enough that would make me carry a priming horn.

 

[BullRunBear]

I don't hunt anymore so it's easy for me to have a spring-loaded pan priming flask with 4F handy. I have tried 3F in the pan which worked fine but I inherited a few pounds of 4F recently. At my age that's a lifetime supply and more.

Jeff

 

[Sparkitoff]

Keep the flint and frizzen clean and dry. If ignition is bad try opening flash hole.

 

[Nessmuck56]

Once the Flintah bug has bitten yah....you will nevah pick up a cap lock again....

 

[FishDFly]

Before you do anything, buy the below:

Flintlocks, A Practical Guide For Their Use and Appreciation
by Eric A. Bye. You can get it from the NMLRA, or Log Cabin Shop.

It will save you a lot time and increase your learning more the You Tube..

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

Agree with all here. I am working to fit an appropriate size flint on a new pistol build, and I found this video helpful for fitting and installing a flint.

 

[tomm9903]

I bought one of those a few years ago so my wife, who is small, could have a flintlock that's comfortable for her. It doesn't look like it came from 1780 but it sparks well and does the job. The instruction manual should give the flint size needed. I prefer the black English flints from Track of the Wolf.

Be careful. Flintlocks are addictive. They also can reproduce in the gun safe while you aren't looking.

Jeff

Reproducing has me worried. It will be in a cabinet with my Zouave, I my open the door one day to find a Brown Bess!

 

[tomm9903]

Thanks for the input! I watched Black Powder TV last night, lots of good info.

 

[MountainHunter01]

Thank you. I certainly will. One quick question. I have some 3f available, would that work ok for priming the pan?

3f should work fine, I tend to use 4f but it’s mostly a matter of preference

 

[toot]

back in the day a soldier, Militia man , they all primed with wat was in there paper cartridge or horn. no carrying a separate horn or separate priming powder.

 

[olskool]

Thank you. I certainly will. One quick question. I have some 3f available, would that work ok for priming the pan?

between 2F 3F and 4F i see little to no difference, even with a small lock,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[tomm9903]

Well I finally got my flintlock today, all excited and then discovered it has no flint installed or in the box no shooting it this week. I ordered some flints from DGW, TOTW was all out of stock. So hopefully soon I can get’er going.

 

[Bob McBride]

Well I finally got my flintlock today, all excited and then discovered it has no flint installed or in the box no shooting it this week. I ordered some flints from DGW, TOTW was all out of stock. So hopefully soon I can get’er going.

Let us know how she went. Pose any questions you have right here.....

 

[54Rndball]

Join the NMLRA and check out all the resources available there. There is a great book, "Flintlocks; a practical guide to their use and appreciation" by Eric Bye, available through the website nmlra.org The organization has a wealth of knowledge available in many different forms.