What's The Learning Curve On Flinters?

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Sorry I forgot another major issue with this debate. The powder of today is supperior to that created 250 years ago. Back then it was not blended or ground to todays standards, often considered a "Musket Grade" thus meaning it was good enough to use but not great. This was reported to leading to fouling at a much greater rate, keeping in mind you couldn't clean the barrell between shots in a battle. Anyone can see why this would cause a major realiabilty issue. You my friend are I assume using modern powder prolly 3f for the main and 4f for the primer, they used the exact same crappy "musket grade" powder for both. Take all I have said into consideration and even a logical man such as yourself will see that 1 in 6 shot misfire rate under all the conditions I have outlines for a military rifle is very feasible and likely. Thank you for allowing me to educate the forum and yourself.

 

[simeon england]

Where I am there aren't alot of serious flintlock guys. I want to build a kit but once that's done I am on my own (except for you guys here).

I like my cap gun because it goes bang EVERYTIME I pull the trigger. Can a newbie get that kind of reliability out of a flinter?

Howdy!

A question to clarify. Are you asking about building the gun, or shooting the gun?

Thanks

 

[sleeperNY]

I couldn't agree with you more. I started shooting a flintlock a few years ago (1976) and it is all I shoot. I had the run of junk flintlocks when I started and learned allot from them and other people. There are some basic operations you have to do to shoot them and from there you pick and choose what works for you from what works for others. I build my own longrifles and have from 1977 and I'm asked almost every time I go out how I make them go off so fast. I am always ready and willing to help someone with there rifles if they want.
I also understand you military point on shooting, I am a Vietnam vet. Enough said about that.

Jim

PS I think the learning curve will ultimately end up being what you make it. If you want to shoot a flintlock you will. If it is not a big deal then chances are you will struggle with it.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Thanks what ya have done before my time in the Army. As for replies on here I try to side on an overall assessment and not bash certain things and have learned to word things carefully of other get butthurt and rip it apart. Welcome Home

 

[Robby]

As far as reliability, I don't have much experience with cap locks, having made only one, and it was very reliable. However when we use to have shoots around here and flints and caps competed against each other equally, it was my 'observation', that on the firing line, the occurrence of problems with the weapon not firing was way more frequent with the cap lock shooters, and problems requiring the shooter to actually leave the line, hands down, was more frequent with the cap shooters. Again this is just a casual observation based on many shoots that didn't mean that much to me at the time, but I did make note of it.
As for the 'kit', which one, how hard is it, etc.. Its a frequently asked question, and to give an accurate answer is impossible without knowing what you bring to the table. Desire and determination play a large part, as well as a background in working with simple tools. The later can be acquired as you go along being thoughtful and patient in your approach. Good luck in making your decision, help is always a click away.
Robby

 

[tecum-tha]

That is the reason, touchholes and locks on military weapons are bigger. Bigger flint, bigger pan, more sparks in pan. Bigger touchholes do not clog up. Using the civil war as reference doesn't make the point for percussion muskets/rifles. That were the weapons which were used.
I will check out some accounts from the Seven Years war and see if they mention anything.
Granulation graduation in black powder is mainly for adding consistency and thus accuracy for target shooters. I used for years some lower grade german powder (Boellerpulver) and it was shooting just as fine and ingnited exactly the same as the more graded sporting powders. At the 50m line I did not see any difference.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

Ok well we can agree to disagree on this point then I am done talking about it. History is what was reported and recorded maybe to you its flawed either way have a great day.. Glad your gun fires 100 percent of the time without an issue you appearantly have the world most perfect gun ever created. :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

 

[Stumpkiller]

5. Yes military guns are built to a high specification, but then you get the JOE Factor which is inexperienced guys mess with and maintain the weapons beyond the abilities and often mess things up, or not say for instance reassemble the lock the correct way and its weakened. Your also not taking this under advisment.
6. Do any research of your own from the French and Indian war thru Civil War and you will see the information I have provide is accurate and widely reported from numerous sources on both sides of the battles.

Well, in the speculative history I'm unwilling to support it was a whipping offense for a foot soldier to remove the lock from his musket. Segreants were issued tools, not the lowly and usually uneducated foot troops.