who1st time flinter

[KyHeadhunter]

Went to the range after work today with my new (to me) T/C Pennsylvania Hunter flintlock. 1st time ever shooting a flintlock. Got it a week ago in a trade with an older gentleman who wanted a modern muzzleloader that he could scope as his eyesight is starting to fade. Having traded in my modern archery gear for self-made hickory longbows some time back, this seemed like the kind of old-school gun I could relate to.

What a rush the first time that pan flashed! Lo & behold, it actually fired, I must've done something right! Two rounds later, I went down to check the target, and found three 1/2" holes overlapping in the bull. Before anyone goes thinking what a great shot I am, it was at 25 yards from a semi-prone position (sitting, trigger elbow resting on table but forestock supported freehand). That gentleman wasn't whistlin Dixie when he told me it was dead on with 80 grains FFFG behind .490 roundball with 0.015" patching. Said it was that way right out of the box when he bought it, sights have never been adjusted.

Just wanted to say thanks to all for the great advice I've found on this forum in the last week. How much prime, don't cover the touchhole, etc. In particular, I picked up one nugget that I suspect will help more than any other single tip I'll ever get- "...give yourself up for dead" is how the poster described the proper way to shoot a flintlock. Couldn't ignore the flash from the prime, but by "giving up for dead", I kept from getting a death grip & flinching- at least until after the ball had cleared the barrel.

 

[rabjr]

Nice! Welcome to the dark side.

Guess I'm lucky but I don't really see the flash, even tried hard to look for it lol. But I guess I'm concentrating on the target so much the prime flash don't bother me. By the time I know somethings goin on there, theres a cloud of smoke coming from the muzzle.

 

[RC]

well Kyhh, if ya got 3 holes overlappin yer lookin the right way...or holdin on tight! but gotta go with Swampy here, I don't see the flash either....and I got leftys and rightys! :hmm: .........

 

[KyHeadhunter]

You fellas think that could be from too much prime? Pan was about half full, most of it piled on the side away from the touch hole. It wasn't in focus, just in my peripheral vision.

Not to make this about archery, but I also see the arrow in the corner of my eye, even though I don't use it for an aiming reference. I hear some "instinctive" shooters say they don't even see it 'cause they're so focused on the target. I don't have any trouble ignoring it & focusing on target, but it's there. Maybe I was blessed with exceptional peripheral vision to make up for my nearsightedness :grin:

In any case, it was the most fun I've had with a firearm in a long, long time. Other than my .22 (squirrel hunting with my son), my other guns are gonna get real lonely. Wonder if anyone makes a drop-in shotgun barrel that'll fit :hmm:

 

[Emet Huntsman]

Sorta like you first kiss -- you never forget the first time you drop the hammer on the pan. Good job.
And, yes, I too notice the flash but I don't let it disturb me -- to concentrated on target. Actually I think it's kinda cool

 

[rabjr]

I use two plunges of the big brass primer thats sold, it's supposed to throw 4 grs a plunge. I've mentioned this to Roy and RC a few times now cause frankly I feel cheated. :haha: Everything happens so fast, really I pull the trigger, the gun goes off. I just can't see how this can bother someone and cause inaccuracy unless maybe their gun has a serious delay in going off.

 

[RC]

swampy, I don't think its "seeing" it that makes ya miss.. I think its "knowing" it's comin! hence, the "flinch" even when the gun goes click... KyHH,why use more prime than necessary? try a lil see if it works..if not, add more..don't smother the fire... :thumbsup:

 

[cowpoke1955]

Like Swampy, I use two plunges from my brass primer. It sounds like you have tour prime in the right location of the pan. Like RC said, just a little bit will work. And it seems to work better and faster. Keep up the good work and welcome to the world of flintlocks :thumbsup: .

 

[kevthebassman]

I use two plunges of the big brass primer thats sold, it's supposed to throw 4 grs a plunge. I've mentioned this to Roy and RC a few times now cause frankly I feel cheated. :haha: Everything happens so fast, really I pull the trigger, the gun goes off. I just can't see how this can bother someone and cause inaccuracy unless maybe their gun has a serious delay in going off.

It doesn't seem to bother my groups much either. Every once in a while I'll catch myself flinching after the shot, but I think that maybe my reflexes are too darn slow to affect the ball before it leaves the barrel. :redface:

 

[tg]

Good to see another amongst us, keep it up and enjoy the journey, it can be a vewry trewarding adventure if you get into big or small game hunting.

 

[KyHeadhunter]

Thanks for the replies folks. I'll definitely play around with variables like powder charge, patch lube, flints, etc. But it's nice to know I can fall back on that original load & expect it to shoot well. Especially since early bp season in Kentucky is barely over a month away.

She'll definitely be hunted this fall- for all firearms seasons.

 

[Finnwolf]

I've got one of these also - I always wnated to get a smootbore barrel for it as well. Anyone know if there's a dropin out there?

 

[bajabuc]

My first gun was a flinter...took me 30 years to get back to it. Too long. Shoulda never sold it.

 

[renovato]

I've only been shooting flinters for a year and a half or so, but I still notice the flash. Luckily it doesn't seem to effect my accuracy any. Like you, I learned from these nice folks before I ever took it out for a shot and because of that it was a smooth and pleasant transition from caplocks.

Flinters are addictive suckers, ain't they? I still shoot percussion more, but I can definately see more flinters in the near future! Glad you had a positive experience and especially that your gun is shooting spot on right off the bat.

 

[KyHeadhunter]

Definitely addictive!

Gonna drive over to Friendship on Sunday, would like to pick up a pan primer, more powder & flints, & hopefully more great flintlocking wisdom from folks like y'all.