flint rifle anyone?

H

hannibal lecter spyderco

Joined
Mar 29, 2001
Messages
1,236
Well my younger brother wants to go dear and boar hunting, anyone here do flint rifle hunting? Whats a good brand and whats your experience with this type of rifle as far as hunting is concerned. thanks guy
 
I used to black powder shoot competitively when I was a kid..They've made alot ogf great inovations over the years that have reall modernized thes guns so I'm sure folks with more recent experience will chime in with more relevant info. but As I remember it was alot of work...If you are looking for a tradiditonal way to hunt that will stay with you as a lifelong skill or hobby might I suggest taking up traditional archery...it has easily become one of my most all consuming passions. Good luck in your quest.
 
RescueRiley said:
I used to black powder shoot competitively when I was a kid..They've made alot ogf great inovations over the years that have reall modernized thes guns so I'm sure folks with more recent experience will chime in with more relevant info. but As I remember it was alot of work...If you are looking for a tradiditonal way to hunt that will stay with you as a lifelong skill or hobby might I suggest taking up traditional archery...it has easily become one of my most all consuming passions. Good luck in your quest.
Click to expand...

Archery? I thought about that but I think it takes a great deal of time to become really good at it. Also I have a shoulder that been popped out a couple of times and I think that pulling a bow is not the best thing for it. With modern rifles and modern bullets doesn't require as much skill as in the olden days. I can pretty much hit whatever I see not that I'm good when i was younger I spent hours out at the shooting range everyday practice makes perfect sort of thing. This is the sole reason that I'm looking for a flint type rfile, I'm surprise no one else is into flint hunting.
 
I leave in four weeks for a weeklong Deer/Elk/Bear/Mtn Lion Traditional Muzzleloader Hunt - will be taking a new Idaho Knife Works Hudson Bay Knife which I'll review and bring back photos...anyway I'm going caplock as here in the Pacific NorthWet I wanted a more rugged ignition system since I need the meat! Flint is fun and people use it all the time. The deal with either system is getting over the learning curve. It takes a while to figure things out. Best thing you can do is find someone local who can take you out and let you try before you buy. You need to master the fundamentals first (where have I heard that before) before plunking down hard earned cash on hardware. Once you get your hardware needs narrowed down then you can buy. You can also build your own kit too!

Hunting game with these rifles requires lots of training & practice. It isn't the same as using a centerfire! These rifles are more like arrows and/or handguns lacking the hydrostatic shock, sever destruction of tissue and hemmoraging of a centerfire rifle cartridge. Right now I'm training 4 to 5 days a week for 1 to 2 hours to get in shape....perfecting my slow and quick reloads, movement while reloading, stalking, postional shooting, rangefinding with traditional methods, and dialing in my maximum point blank range, etc.
 
Last edited:
I always wanted to get into it as well, I hope a few people chime in.
I am sure there's a lot of forums dedicated to just this out there though, I might have a look.
In Canada I don't think I even need a lisence to obtain one(I have one, but no registry headaches)
 
[They've made alot ogf great inovations over the years that have reall modernized thes guns so I'm sure folks with more recent experience will chime in with more relevant info/B]

You are correct, but that "modernization" of the sport kinda misses the point. Get yourself a decent kit, find someone in your area to guide you, build it yourself this winter, and practice all summer. Next fall, head out and make some meat!
 
Lyman great plains rifle is a good rifle to get you going. Also available in as the great plains hunter if you want fast twist rifling to shoot conicals.
Look around on the web prices vary quiet a bit
Roy
 
Plumberroy gave the same reccomendation that I was going to. That rifle is also available in a kit and both percussion and flint models.
 
Might want to start with percussion and then, as you master that, go to flint.

justathought
 
Available in lefty too! Take it from a lefty. Shooting a right handed cap lock left handed isn't a big deal. shooting a right handed flint lock lefty isn't fun:(
Roy
 
Cabelas, Blue Ridge rifle in flint or percussion. either can be converted to the other with a lock change & a vent liner for flint or thimble & nipple for percussion. same gun, two different ignition systems! calibers are .32,.36,.45,.50
 
The Great Plains is a good way to go as a starter - kit or assembled. I have one that I built from a kit. Fairly authentic as a traditional ML...same rifle used by C Heston in the movie the "Mountain Man". There is a learning curve but worth it. Get your Goex Black Powder now while you can.
 
Wow thanks for all your imput guys, are there any forums that you can point me in regards to percussion or flint rifles. Any recommendation on good percussion kits? I'm looking for high quality bang for the buck non chinese kit

thanks a bunch guys
 
My pick is Northstar West .60 cal smooth bore (20 ga). multi purpose flinter. More fun than most any thing you can do with cloths on. Matt Dennison is the owner and a right fine man to do business with. You can buy them finished or in kit form. Once you breath the black you want go back to center fire. Any thing out to 70 yds is round ball meat. Start with flint-if you start with cap you will have a cap lock safe queen. A good flint lock properly prepared is good in a light rain-find somebody to guide you. Muzzle loader mag has a good forum.
 
Cabelas recently bought out SIR sporting goods up here in Canada.
As a result they are carrying those Cabelas Traditions Blue Ridge Flintlocks.
And apparently you don't need a PAL (possession and acquisition license) to buy them!
:thumbup:
The Traditions Hawken .50 Woodsman Flintlock rifle is only 359$.
Hmmmm wanted to get a .22 but these look like fun too.
:D

So how long does a flint normally last?
The catalog has the flints $7 per pair.
 
Flintlocks are a lot of fun,been shooting them for a few years now. I don't know much about the prodution one's made today, like T/C or Lyman,both are great rifles in caplock tho,
Flintlock's are fine in nice weather and in rain you have to keep everything covered and dry if you expect them to go boom when you want them to.
A lot more to do than just put in a cartridge and pull the trigger,like measuring your powder, loading you bullet or patch and round ball,making sure it's completely seated on your powder, putting powder in your flash pan,keeping your flint sharp,hoping they will go off when you pull the trigger.---Even after all that they are a blast to use.
As to how long a flint will last --had to replace after only a few shots and have them last for over 60 shots, they're rocks -sometimes you get a diamond sometimes you get a rock!!
You can go to the range and shoot a couple boxes of shells up in no time ,but 20-30 shot's with a muzzleloader and you there a few hours. Then it's the cleaning job, you wouldn't believe how dirty they get,taking a couple shot's is just as dirty as shooting 20 times, and then you may want to swab out the bore after every shot,to keep loading
consistent shot after shot.
They are a lot more messing around but like I said they are fun to shoot, and what makes it all worthwhile is "making meat" with a muzzleloader.
I'd say find a re-enactment or buckskinner group around your area and and check some out
Dennis
 
If your going to shoot muzzleloader might as well be traditional

Dennis
 
DJJ said:
Flintlocks are a lot of fun,been shooting them for a few years now. I don't know much about the prodution one's made today, like T/C or Lyman,both are great rifles in caplock tho,
Flintlock's are fine in nice weather and in rain you have to keep everything covered and dry if you expect them to go boom when you want them to.
A lot more to do than just put in a cartridge and pull the trigger,like measuring your powder, loading you bullet or patch and round ball,making sure it's completely seated on your powder, putting powder in your flash pan,keeping your flint sharp,hoping they will go off when you pull the trigger.---Even after all that they are a blast to use.
As to how long a flint will last --had to replace after only a few shots and have them last for over 60 shots, they're rocks -sometimes you get a diamond sometimes you get a rock!!
You can go to the range and shoot a couple boxes of shells up in no time ,but 20-30 shot's with a muzzleloader and you there a few hours. Then it's the cleaning job, you wouldn't believe how dirty they get,taking a couple shot's is just as dirty as shooting 20 times, and then you may want to swab out the bore after every shot,to keep loading
consistent shot after shot.
They are a lot more messing around but like I said they are fun to shoot, and what makes it all worthwhile is "making meat" with a muzzleloader.
I'd say find a re-enactment or buckskinner group around your area and and check some out
Dennis
Click to expand...

:thumbup: to everything Dennis said. I've been shooting caplocks and flintlocks, as well as centerfire rifles, for about 25 years. I like both, but personally prefer the flintlock. If you enjoy woodworking and woodfinishing, I would suggest buying a kit because they are cheaper. If not, buy a finished gun. I would suggest looking at Dixie Gunworks or Track Of The Wolf, you can Google for their website and online catalogs.

As far as which is more reliable, that's a toss up. I've had as many misfires with a caplock as I have had with a flintlock. Having said that, if you load properly and pay attention to details, misfires are rare. Even in the rain.

You have different considerations when shooting and killing game with a lead roundball than you do with a modern bullet.

If you enjoy tinkering with firearms and individual loads, then you will enjoy muzzleloading. Each shot you load is a chance to tweak and customize that load. Once you get your muzzleloader, check out your local rod'n'gun club to see if they have Sunday morning "turkey" shoots; a great place to try your hand at busting clay targets, winning a canned ham or frozen chicken, and shooting the s*** with other muzzleloaders and riflemen :)

The trend nowadays seems to be towards "inline" ignition systems with solid propellants. I've shot a few, they work very well indeed. Most guys buy them because they want to get in on the early muzzleloading season for deer and they want something that will shoot like the centerfire they will use later in the season. I'm from the old school, I like side-hammers and loose powder.

Whatever your choice, I hope you give it a try, it is a different and very earthy shooting experience :D

Edit: I just remembered, about 20 years ago, the biggest black bear taken in New York State for that muzzleloading season was shot by a guy hunting on horseback with a "Brown Bess" flintlock smoothbore musket (which is .75 caliber and throws a 500 grain ball). Sorry, just memory, can't cite the source or details.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top