Which size flintlock for a pistol?

[Darren Haverstick]

I turned 50 today and, for a birthday present, my brother is going to fund the building of a flintlock pistol for me. I have a good friend who has built a couple of flintlock long guns for me so all I need to do is send him the pistol pieces and he sends me back a firearm.

I have looked at a couple of those pistol kits but here's my problem; I'm left-handed and I would really like a left-handed pistol to match my left-handed long guns. Those kits do not come for either hand so I am looking for a left hand lock small enough to fit on a pistol.

I see that the L&R Manton lock is used on pistols and comes in LH and RH. Does anybody have an opinion on this lock? Do you know of any other locks that would work?

I plan to hunt deer with this pistol so I am open to suggestions of caliber. Also, should I consider a smoothbore barrel for versatility in case I want to hunt small game with it?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Darren

[Muley]

I bought a Lyman Kentucky pistol once with the intention of hunting deer. Then I found out is wasn't legal in Colorado. It didn't meet the minimum required fpe that Colorado specifies. After thinking about it. It really doesn't. Short barrel, and 40gr of powder is not a powerful load. Would you use that in a rifle to hunt deer?

So, i'd suggest at least a .54 cal, and as heavy a load of powder that the gun can shoot safely. Then get close, and only take solid double lung shots.

After finding out i couldn't shoot big game I used the gun for rabbits and squirrels. Quite a challenge to hit a running rabbit with the pistol. Mine was .50 cal.

[snake eyes]

I plan to hunt deer with this pistol.......Darren

Darren,
            If you have not done so already you might want to check on the legality
of that plan.....I had the same plan a few years ago until finding out it was
illegal to hunt with a B/P pistol or for that matter to even carry one when hunting
with a rifle. Course this is in Oh...Mo could be completely different.
snake-eyes  

[snake eyes]

sorta, kinda like what Muley said [/color]

[Darren Haverstick]

It's legal in Missouri. In fact, my dad killed two with his BP Navy Colt a couple of years ago.

A longbow is my hunting tool of preference so I know all about getting really close to your game. Getting to 20 yards or less is not a problem.

Darren

[Muley]

Treestand?

[Darren Haverstick]

Muley, I prefer to hunt on the ground in a ghillie suit but will use a treestand if need be.

[Muley]

Good deal. Getting within 20 yds on the ground is so rewarding.

As a still hunter I can't stand to sit still. I have a hard enough time sitting on a log to eat my lunch. I usually gulp it down, so I can get going again.  

[Hanshi]

Back to the question concerning locks for pistols, Mine has a small Siler which works fine.  However if I had it to do over I'd get a Manton.

[gunmaker]

The L&R Manton is a great choice for a pistol.  Small enough AND quick sparking.  Oh yea, I have one on my pistol.....Tom

[Darren Haverstick]

Thanks for the input, guys! I'll get the Manton lock. As for the barrel, I am now leaning towards the .62 caliber smoothbore Oregon barrel in either the 10" or 10 1/2" length. No farther than I would be shooting at game, I didn't think I would sacrifice too much accuracy by going smoothbore over rifled. Plus, I could put shot in it and hunt squirrels if I wanted.

Any thoughts on that?

Darren

[Riley/MN]

Thanks for the input, guys! I'll get the Manton lock. As for the barrel, I am now leaning towards the .62 caliber smoothbore Oregon barrel in either the 10" or 10 1/2" length. No farther than I would be shooting at game, I didn't think I would sacrifice too much accuracy by going smoothbore over rifled. Plus, I could put shot in it and hunt squirrels if I wanted.

Any thoughts on that?

Darren

 
Sounds like a plan!

[gunmaker]

You won't be disapointed with Oregon bbl. co's work.  Known 'em for 3 dedades--good people...