Post by: 2country on June 03, 2016, 10:32:29 AM
What a great sight this is, with very knowledgeable people and absolutely beautiful guns.
I would like to get your help if you would. I am looking into getting a flintlock rifle
and am trying to decide on caliber. This is what I have
Lyman’s Great Plains .50 cal. percussion
Thompson Center Hawken .45 cal. percussion
Traditions Crockett .32 cal. percussion
I’m trying to figure out if a .36, .38 or maybe a .40 cal would be good for coyote and crow hunting. I know my .45 and .50 cal. will work but I,m thinking of a flinter (long rifle). I could get a .45 but I thought maybe something a little different. I thought about the .38 to go with my .36 cal revolver, maybe shoot the same ball.
I would appreciate any feed back on caliber choice you would give.
I hunt mostly woods but do get shots out to 125 yards max.
Thank you very much.
Post by: RobD on June 03, 2016, 12:43:36 PM
firstly, and my opinion only, sir ....
i'd stay away from spanish built rifles such as CVA and traditions because for the very most part their breech plugs are advised that attempts to remove breech plugs will ruin the barrel.
t/c rifles will allow breech plug removal, as will investarm rifles (lyman and cabelas).
my firm preference is for investarm products and i've had way more than a few, including the hawken caplock kit i just built and wrote about here on the percussion forum.
given your requirements, i would immediately give a thumbs up to the great plains 50 in either flint or percussion - it's a very versatile caliber that could easily handle the spectrum of game and shooting requirements you list.
Post by: Dewey on June 04, 2016, 12:39:15 AM
"Course, I would never go back to percussion from flint, but it sure was a great beginning rifle !!!
Post by: Semisane on June 04, 2016, 02:28:56 PM
Post by: Hanshi on June 04, 2016, 02:50:02 PM
Post by: 2country on June 05, 2016, 03:03:08 AM
The yardage listed is just the maximum you might get where I hunt not
what I need to shoot, I can let game walk if need be.
I have not found my maximum range on my percussion guns yet or the loads they like best but I will. I look at it same as a archery, I will find my maximum range and I will find the sweet spot.
As far as choosing the rifle, I’m looking at the TVM Southern Rifle, their Tennessee Rifle or something similar from other makers. I would like to keep the weight on this yote gun
down as much as I can but still be able to shoot maximum load (not that I would, just be able to).
Yes The Lyman Great Plains Rifle is a very good rifle, good looking and accurate. Is it a collection if you have under 5 or 6 or
The .54 would do the job and then some, but I don’t won’t to throw any more lead than needed for the job at hand.
The TC has a 5 digit serial number and is in really good shape. I don’t think it was ever shot when I got it 2 years ago.
Now the .40 cal. shoots a .395 inch ball at about 93gr.? My book says 2000 fps and 800 ft/lbs but gives no further data. Can you give more info on the capability of this caliber?
I just thought I would warn you this is only the 3rd time I have ever posted on the internet, and I am not very good at it, I don’t do text and can’t type (i peck). I was born 150 years or so to late.
Post by: Buzzard on June 05, 2016, 09:26:07 AM
Post by: Longhunter on June 05, 2016, 11:53:49 AM
Post by: wattlebuster on June 05, 2016, 01:15:20 PM
Post by: Hanshi on June 05, 2016, 03:06:41 PM
Quote from: "Longhunter"
After nearly 50 years of shooting black powder rifles (mostly flintlocks) from .32 to .62 my favorite calibers are the .32 for small game and the .54 for big game. If I had to choose one caliber for everything it would probably be a .45
I'm with you on the .45 for everything, Longhunter. I've used mine on everything from squirrels to deer and it performs with authority. I did learn to use light loads for squirrels as one can't always make head shots.
Post by: Hanshi on June 05, 2016, 03:16:09 PM
My TVM .32 Tn rifle.
(http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt74/hanshi_photo/DSC00195_zpsfac5f0c0.jpg) (http://http)
The little .36 SMR.(http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt74/hanshi_photo/212162d0-11a5-441d-bc0a-a64d4e714e37_zpsa331cf72.jpg) (http://http)
Post by: Hanshi on June 05, 2016, 03:18:22 PM
Quote from: "wattlebuster"
I like a 40 for everything cept deer an for those critters I like a big hole an big blood lose so I shoot a 62
Waddle, I also like the way my .62 smoothy hammers deer.
Post by: Rocklock on June 06, 2016, 08:49:39 AM
Took a couple of deer w a .40 where legal cause it was my only flinter but now have a .54 sooooo.
Have shot silhouettes w it and a good hit will take down rams. Half a ball may turn a ram where half a .54 would take it down so I try not to make a half ball shot.
TC
Post by: Hanshi on June 06, 2016, 06:58:16 PM
(http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt74/hanshi_photo/PICT0509.jpg) (http://http)
A 100 yard group with the same rifle. Group size INCLUDES the flier. This is about as good as I can do at 100 yards with any of my rifles.
(http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt74/hanshi_photo/PICT0507-2.jpg) (http://http)
Post by: 2country on June 07, 2016, 08:32:39 AM
What barrel length? How much do they weigh?
I would like a 42 inch barrel at 7 pounds or under but I don’t know if that is doable.
I called a few places and they only give me an estimate weight of 7 or 8 pounds or so.
I really need them to be more specific before I spend $600 to $1200.I was trying to be
specific on the gun I wanted to order, barrel size, length, length of pull, ect. however I
wasn’t having any luck.
Reading up on the .40cal I see it is well liked and would work well for my wants.
I am not having much luck finding info on the .38cal yet but I’m still searching.
Post by: Mike Brooks on June 08, 2016, 09:53:30 AM
Post by: 2country on June 10, 2016, 07:00:49 PM
and it would go with the 36 revolvers but I think I’ll go either .40 or .45cal.
Hay Hanshi, wattlebuster and any one else, I’ll be looking into a 62 after
I choose my rifle; then decide which one to get first! But I’ll get into
questions on it latter after I study up.
Post by: Snakebite on July 19, 2016, 10:13:58 AM
Post by: RobD on July 19, 2016, 11:17:57 AM
Post by: prairie dog on August 23, 2016, 01:49:59 PM
My other flint gun is a 62 cal smoothbore and I have 50 and 54 percussion rifles. The 40 should be a good addition.
Post by: Hawken on August 23, 2016, 02:35:19 PM
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8414/29184114865_ea274220ae.jpg) (http://https)SgtmovFL (http://https) by Rick Mulhern (http://https), on Flickr
Post by: RobD on August 23, 2016, 02:55:06 PM
Post by: Hanshi on August 28, 2016, 03:25:10 PM
A .62 smoothbore is a wonderful gun to have. I use mine mostly with ball but shot does just as well within 25 to maybe 30 yards. I bought mine with a rear sight installed and am glad I did.
Post by: RobD on August 28, 2016, 04:09:48 PM
Post by: Thunderhawk1828 on August 28, 2016, 06:33:41 PM
I agree with the .40 Cal for what you have mentioned. Will do what you want and the rifles you are thinking about are also well suited for the requirements you are looking at. Keep us posted an good luck in your decision!