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Author Topic: Newbie to flintlocks  (Read 10734 times)

Offline burch

Newbie to flintlocks
« on: April 05, 2009, 07:15:19 PM »
Well it`s lookin` like i`ve got myself a Flintlock on the way. This is my first Flinter. I have plenty of percussion rifles and pistols. I need to know how these flinters work. How to load, how to clean and how to PROPERLY take care of one. I`m getting a Hatfield .36cal and God willing it`ll be one that won`t give me a lot of trouble. Truth is I really enjoy tweaking and making the BP guns work right, that`s half the fun. So any tips and tricks will be greatly appreciated.

          Thanks to all,
              Burch  :happy
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Offline BEAVERMAN

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« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2009, 08:27:00 PM »
Powder, patch, ball......... half cock, prime, close frizzen, full cock, aim, squeeze! :rotf  :rotf

 Seriously, not much to them, just dont over prime the pan and create a mtn of powder that the sparks from the lock have to burn through to get to the flash hole, a well timed lock thats working properly really shouldnt need any prime in the pan! oh yea, follow through on the shot, learning to shoot a flinter well will only improve your shooting skills for ANY other gun.
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Offline Bruce Bogart

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« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2009, 09:02:45 PM »
I'm always surprised at how little priming it takes to set off the main charge. Just a little bitty tricklle in the bottom of the pan.
Bruce
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Offline BEAVERMAN

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« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2009, 12:24:57 AM »
Burch, some real interesting reading here on flintlock timing and such,
http://www.blackpowdermag.com/featured- ... /index.php
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« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2009, 12:29:45 AM »
If you are interested in priming and how it affects the performance of flintlock check this out.

http://www.blackpowdermag.com/featured-articles/initial-pan-experiments-part-2.php

This information has been updated or reprinted I'm not sure in the latest edition of the Muzzle Blast.  It really knocks the socks of intuition.
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Offline Longhunter

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« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2009, 08:39:03 AM »
1: Keep your flint sharp and sparking well

2:Don't cover the vent, and keep it clear with your pick

3: Check your prime often and keep your powder dry
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Offline Kermit

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« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2009, 12:01:57 PM »
Have fun with it. With practice, it becomes a ritual--almost medatative. It's sort of like archery in that way for me.

Oh, and look out. There may be no going back. I don't own a percussion gun anymore. Some can mix the two, like with a percussion SxS maybe. Me, I'm holding out for a flint double.
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Offline Minnesota Mike

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« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2009, 03:04:56 PM »
The only difference I've noted with a rock gun vice cap is ignition - everything else is the same. A little more care is needed when getting ready to shoot, but other than that things work pretty much the same.

r/
MM
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Offline jbullard1

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« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2009, 03:24:17 PM »
I just converted my LongShanks rifle to flint
Once I got my load procedure down pat: ie pick the vent before prime, and a good sharp Rich Pierce white Missouri flint TIGHT in the cock I can tell no difference from when it was a capper
My suggestions
very good flint
pick the vent
small dry prime powder

I have the luxury of living in a rural area, owing 15 acres with my house so no one gets bent out of shape if they see me in the yard with a gun
I have burned up 3 flints and about 1000 grs of ffffg prime just walking around my yard and dry firing my conversion, getting used to the pan flash. I also shoot a few full loads into my backstop just to check my accuracy
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Offline Mitch

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« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2009, 03:29:15 PM »
"I also shoot a few full loads"-Jerry, are these "full loads" in 2f or 4f?.......couldn't resist!!
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Offline BEAVERMAN

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« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2009, 03:30:47 PM »
Quote from: "Mitch"
"I also shoot a few full loads"-Jerry, are these "full loads" in 2f or 4f?.......couldn't resist!!


 OUCH!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:
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Offline BEAVERMAN

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« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2009, 03:32:28 PM »
One thing about pan flash, you shouldnt see it if your shooting properly and concentrating on sight aligment , sight picture and follow through of the shot, you'll NEVER see the pan flash!
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Jim Smith
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Offline Mitch

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« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2009, 03:35:39 PM »
Quote from: "BEAVERMAN"
One thing about pan flash, you shouldnt see it if your shooting properly and concentrating on sight aligment , sight picture and follow through of the shot, you'll NEVER see the pan flash!

I always close my eyes as I pull the trigger, so I've never seen the pan flash either!! :lol:  :lol:  just kidding...at least I'm having a somewhat humorous Monday!
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Offline jbullard1

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« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2009, 03:58:00 PM »
Quote from: "Mitch"
"I also shoot a few full loads"-Jerry, are these "full loads" in 2f or 4f?.......couldn't resist!!

 :lol
Mitch, it's funny now the bruise on my bicep is about the size of an ugly green quarter. The 4f powder is locked in the gunsafe only to be used in the primer! I learned my lesson and actually got off light, I could have had serious injuries.

I now have a range set up just to shoot squibb loads with my new flinter 30 gr fffg and a prb at 4 different targets
Just trying to learn this flintlock thing
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Offline Longhunter

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« Reply #14 on: April 06, 2009, 04:48:04 PM »
Squeeeeeeze the trigger...don't pull. Let the shot surprise you.. :roll eyes
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Ron LaClair
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