hi all: I have played around with my flintlock for years but never hunted with it. Saturday this will change as I take my T/C Hawken 50 cal. out for PA's flintlock season. problem: periodic freezing rain is in the forecast. I've never shot my Hawken in the rain and am nervous that I won't be able to keep it dry enough to fire if and when the big moment comes...any suggestions for hunting in the rain?
newbie needs help
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fyrfyter43
45 Cal.
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Keep the lock tucked up under your arm, out of the rain. Or you could use a well-oiled piece of leather, called a cow's knee, to cover the lock. Keep the muzzle pointed down so water can't run down the bore, or down the barrel channel to the pan, wetting the prime or the main charge. And change the prime every 30 minutes or so.
Welcome to the Forum. 
The other suggestions are good and will help you have a successful hunt.
The Cows knee is kinda like a little tent that fits over the lock and the top of the barrel next to the lock.
Just about any waterproof material will do, even a plastic bag but it is better if it is made out of something a bit heavier.
These are often tied to the trigger guard with a leather thong but if you don't have one a piece of heavy string or cord will do. The idea here is that when you flip it off to take a shot it won't be lost.
Another thing that can be done is to coat the area where the top of the frizzen meets the barrel with some grease to stop the rainwater from getting down into that area.
This can be kinda messy and of course, you will have to reseal it after re-freshening the prime.
The thing to keep in mind if you do this is you don't want any grease to get on the face of the frizzen or to get down inside and block the vent hole.
A wet frizzen face will spark with a good flint so make sure your flint is sharp and adjusted right.
Good luck to you on your hunt.
The other suggestions are good and will help you have a successful hunt.
The Cows knee is kinda like a little tent that fits over the lock and the top of the barrel next to the lock.
Just about any waterproof material will do, even a plastic bag but it is better if it is made out of something a bit heavier.
These are often tied to the trigger guard with a leather thong but if you don't have one a piece of heavy string or cord will do. The idea here is that when you flip it off to take a shot it won't be lost.
Another thing that can be done is to coat the area where the top of the frizzen meets the barrel with some grease to stop the rainwater from getting down into that area.
This can be kinda messy and of course, you will have to reseal it after re-freshening the prime.
The thing to keep in mind if you do this is you don't want any grease to get on the face of the frizzen or to get down inside and block the vent hole.
A wet frizzen face will spark with a good flint so make sure your flint is sharp and adjusted right.
Good luck to you on your hunt.
Welome to this forum. It is a good board.
I use a TC Hawken .50 cal just like yours. I have done some miserable weather testing on mine because I was as concerned as you that it wouldn't fire properly.
Use the "cow's knee and a frizzen stall. Use common sence about keeping the gun dry. I really don't notice any difference in using 3f over 4f because you need to watch it closely and if it don't look right, it probably ain't. I really don't do much else and mine has preformed flawlesly.
I use a TC Hawken .50 cal just like yours. I have done some miserable weather testing on mine because I was as concerned as you that it wouldn't fire properly.
Use the "cow's knee and a frizzen stall. Use common sence about keeping the gun dry. I really don't notice any difference in using 3f over 4f because you need to watch it closely and if it don't look right, it probably ain't. I really don't do much else and mine has preformed flawlesly.
Ketchakah
40 Cal.
I have always used 3f powder and it works well. I am told that 4f doesent have the glazing to prevent the moisture from getting to it,but i have never checked on that.
If you just keep it under your arm and upside down you should be good to go. Like said a Cows knee works well too. :wink:
If you just keep it under your arm and upside down you should be good to go. Like said a Cows knee works well too. :wink:
