Thread: Flintlocks anyone

Thanks fo rall the information for this prospective BP shooter. My hunting would be for wild pigs with the odd smaller stuff like feral foxes/cats/rabbits etc. But pigs mostly. I would be looking at traditional muzzle loaders. Target practice would be done at the range.
I like accurate and reasonable range, but understand that a front stuffer is not going to compare to the modern firearms of today, that like to take it up the rear, when it comes to distance. So perhaps I will want a rifled bore over a smooth bore. This would mean less of a multi task gun yes? Compromises in my thinking are already taking place obviously. The more I learn the better I will be able to make choices and decisions.


Mick

I will put it in shaving terms......

Shaving with a DE = cap lock
Shaving with a Straight = Flintlock

And every body that gave you info are spot on . We will guide you through with over 30 years of Black powder shooting. It is a BLAST !!

correction: my state draws the line at 36 cal minimum for large game.

personally, i'd only attempt large game _at very short ranges_ with a 36 ball. minnie "ball" would give more lead/penetration and still be historically semi-accurate, depending on your historical/hysterical observations.

pigs...i'd go 45 min. pigs r tuff (and tasty).

the other wonderful thing about BP arms is that __in hushed tone_ at this point in time, at this place on the planet, they're not subject to a bunch of dumb rules and regs and restrictions. shhhhhh don't let your non-gun-type pals hear 'bout that. but that they are perfectly adequate to fulfill most sporting and personal defense needs.

plus i'm certified by my state to carry modern weaponry at will. (single-action revolver eh)

ever see a dbl bbl 69 cal short piece? you might when i build it...he he.

as to the DE/straight correlation above, i'll add:

inlines = vibrating 5 or 6 blade wonder strip plastic razors

Lookin forward to the pics ! Yer secrets safe with me.

^ Wot 'e' sed Thanks for the razor analogies too. They make it much easier. I reckon it could go either to the flint or the cap, but with favour being shown to the flint. Inlines have never been considered. I have modern firearms that cover that look without pretending to be something that they aren't. Like putting a shirt and pants on a Chimpanzee. They just don't look right. Historical looks with or without historical accuracy, so long as it works is fine by me.

Mick

Caplocks are fine really but in terms of taking more abuse and bein able to find an igniter(flint) out in the bush as opposed to havin to buy caps and such...flinters are a little more self reliant in sort.Powder n lead is all ya need from the big smoke.With smoothbore ,iffen ye don't have lead....small rocks will work as a crude shot.So really a smoothbore flinter is the way IMHO.

Way back in the 1800's, every man owned a smoothbore rifle 62 cal or larger because of its versitality..... You could take down big game, Moose ,Bear with a patched or naked round ball. And the next day you could go hunt squirrel, pheasant, partridge with the smoothbore loaded as a shot gun !!! The smoothie is my next purchase !!

and the guys that shoot Black powder Cannons are just plain CRAZY...... you know who you are...... LOL

You better post pics there smoothie ! Swear if I was to ever get back into it I would go Charleville.and Zen ah wood beh mester Courier 'd Boise and ang eround with de pretty indyun laydees huh huh huh ! oui,oui !

inletting triggers tonight--hadda quit before i got it prefect. ramrod pipes next after i get the triggers down where they need to be and bend the trigger guard proper, make screw holes and all that.

found my long lost 1/4" chisel today too! that's a big help for deep inletting.