Questions

[lefty45flinter]

Well since my last post here I have been having fun with this flinter.
i purchased a basic 'kit' to be able to load, "unload" and maintain my rifle.
The original owners recipe of 50 grains of 3F is spot on for accuracy out to 100 yards. While I am making the rifle hit about 3 inches left of the X on an NRA 100 bull @ 100yd. ...
Fellow shooters are saying it is my "flinch", even tho I don't think that I am.
I'm able to hold a group about 3" in a straight horizontal line. The .440 ball, and .018 patch are working very well.
I'll admit I just need to shoot it more :surrender:

I'm hooked, and honestly love the smoke, the thud, and the results!!!!

 

[rfdr]

ain't makin' sparks, fire, smoke 'n' noise fun? :thumbsup:

 

[rafterob]

When I shoot my Son's flinter I will consistantly hit about 3" from center around 4 o'clock position. I mean those balls will be touching. Amazing how consistant my flinch is. I then have to really concentrate on sight picture and hold and will then start getting them where they are supposed to go. That rifle is sighted spot on, so I always know its me and not the rifle.

 

[Rifleman1776]

You seem to have a well built rifle.
The 80 grains is probably a very safe but unnecessary load. For deer hunting 65-75 grains is very adequate.
It is your gun, do as you wish. But, be aware, those slim highly figure stocks are looking for an excuse to break when the barrel is out of them. Super fragile. :shocked2: I would think long, like years, and hard about refinishing. As for engraving the lock. No harm there, do as you wish.
Mainly enjoy. Nice rifle.

 

[lefty45flinter]

You seem to have a well built rifle.
The 80 grains is probably a very safe but unnecessary load. For deer hunting 65-75 grains is very adequate.
It is your gun, do as you wish. But, be aware, those slim highly figure stocks are looking for an excuse to break when the barrel is out of them. Super fragile. :shocked2: I would think long, like years, and hard about refinishing. As for engraving the lock. No harm there, do as you wish.
Mainly enjoy. Nice rifle.

Thanks rifleman.

As far as a re-finish, it'd be taking some acetone to the stock to remove the old finish, a very light hand sanding with 300 grit and above, and many new coats of Formby's semi-gloss tung oil, rubbed down with 4x wool. Simple stoo-pid.
I've considered browning the barrel, but I'm going to try it first on a nice piece of steel I have here in the shop, BEFORE I change anything on the gun.

On a random thought, has anyone ever shot or loaded a custom 'minni-ball' style bullet thru these?
I'm getting better with this gun and the ball/patch/load combo, so I'm not changing a thing......just curious I guess...

 

[Rifleman1776]

On a random thought, has anyone ever shot or loaded a custom 'minni-ball' style bullet thru these?

Yes, many have. Invariably with dissapointing results. Unless the rifle is built with rifling designed for a bullet you will also be dissapointed. This is a patched round ball game, stick with what works.
Wanna shoot bullets? Get a 30-06 or a CW musket.

 

[bpd303]

I have an early CVA .45 flintlock that I have experimented with hollow base bullets. The one that I have the most accuracy from is an RCBS .455 260gr designed for the 455 Webley pistol. I had to resize it to .450 with Alox lube then fill the hollow base with beeswax lube. Had to use a short starter to engrave the rifling. That was at a time when I did not have a round ball mold but now that I have one I shoot PRB's exclusively.