Pedersoli Kentucky - finally got it.

[Kapow]

I finally got a chance to have a shot or two today. I am very happy with it. I wouldn't be surprised if the original owner had a few shots out of it and let it be as the front sight blade hadn't been touched with a file and as expected it was shooting a fair bit low. I got stuck into the sight and maybe removed a little too much - whoops. No matter, I wanted a 6 o'clock hold and to find a silver blade front sight and narrow square notch rear.

I noticed that it chews up flints quite aggressively and it is definitely striking too high and square into the frizzen so I will have to bend the hammer forward I guess unless someone knows different.

It was my first time at a new range, having just moved to this area. I managed to dryball once and shoot my neighbours target as well as breaking a few local rules which I was apparently supposed to automatically know, incurring the wrath of the range Nazis and range captain as well as several high ranking members of Dad's army. None of which dampened my enthusiasm for the new rifle.

I envy you guys with your own private ranges. Nobody to upset but the range cat. Lucky buggers.

 

[Alden]

Sounds like they were just lucky to have no fatalities. Were there any youngsters there!?

We have plenty of people to upset at even private ranges -- responsibility is shared and policed amongst the safe shooting sports community regardless of the type of guns used.

Of course you don't bend the hammer. Other flints will fit differently. Try reversing and/or turning upside down (i.e. bevel down) and see if that's somehow better. Could put a small twig UNDER the back of the flint and extra wedge of leather in front top of jaw.

 

[dikman]

What he said about mounting the flint. Re-shaping the hammer I would consider as a last resort.

Does anyone else shoot BP there? It sounds like they don't understand the implications of shooting muzzleloaders. As for the sighting, it sounds much like mine - the sights had never been touched, and the first time I fired it I couldn't figure out where it was hitting!! This was at 50 metres, so I dropped back to 25 and found it was hitting way to the left and very low! For all I knew I could have been hitting the border of the adjacent target frame.

I'm beginning to think that when someone buys a flintlock they either get right into it or, after a few shots, give it up, as I don't think mine had been used much either.

By the way, you're not supposed to use an angle grinder on the front sight :rotf: .