A beginner's tradional flintlock... where to start?

[steve-in-kville]

Our state has two designated muzzleloader seasons, one is flintlock only and the other is all muzzleloaders.

I've looked at the various Kentucky rifles from cabelas an such but would like some suggestions as to where to start. My local gun shop also has a few new and used rifles.

All suggestions appreciated.

steve

[Odinbreaker]

I have a Lyman deer stalker I bought from Midsouth shooter supply It come with a recoil pad and 24 inch barrel alittle easier in the woods.  Mine is in 54 cal they also make them in 50.  You can order after market barrels from Green Mountain with 1x28 twist for sabots if you feel the need.

[flintlock]

I'm a snob when it comes to flintlocks...I own 2 custom built  guns, both have Siler locks on them, they throw a very good spark and are reliable...

In mass produced guns, I hear good things about the T/C Hawken and the Lyman...Both seem to have good locks on them...

The next consideration is the barrel...My guns both have cut rifling, about .015 deep, the .54 has a 1-72 twist which is proper for a patched ball...You need to decide what projectile you will want to shoot...If deer hunting with a patched ball, I would suggest a .54...If you decide to shoot a sabot/jacketed pistol bullet, you need to go with a 1-28 twist gun...A 1-48 twist is a compromise twist that can shoot patched balls or conicals, like a Buffalo Bullet, Maxie, etc....If getting a gun to shoot sabots or conicals, I would go with a .50...

If you are able to examine the rifle before purchase, look at the touch hole...It should be centered over the pan and the bottom of the hole should be just above a line over the top of the pan...In other words, when you close the frizzen, it should cover the touch hole...If the touch hole is too low then powder runs into it and you get a fuse effect upon firing and it slows ignition....

Finally...Only use real black powder like Goex in a flintlock...I use FFF in both the barrel and the pan...
The ignition point  of real bp is 480 degrees, where as the ignition point of something like Pyrodex is around 800 degrees...So your ignition is slower and unreliable....Most folks don't realize that when Pyrodex was introduced back in the mid 70s, it was developed so dealers don't have to store in a fireproof safe and could be shipped safely....The Marketing folks spun it like it was  "New, Improved and Cleaner"....

Good Luck, hope this helps....

[steve-in-kville]

Thanks for the replies. I stopped by my local shop and he had a Traditions Deer Stalker(??) with a plastic stock, used, for $125.

I think I want something longer and made of wood... otherwise, whats the point of using a traditional muzzleloader?

Also, any good books out there on the subject. Local library doesn't have anything.

steve

[StrawHat]

Custom rifles are wonderful ... and pricey.

I have built several and will build more but starting out, check out what is available at your local black powder shop.

Depending on where you are it might be internet time as opposed to driving time.

Dixie Gun Works is one of the big companies and has been around almost since the start.

Another good shop with good folks is Log Cabin Shoppe,

http://www.logcabinonline.com/

They are family run and have good items and good knowledge.  Worth the trip if you are nearby.

Even with my own flinters, I find myself grabbing aNavy Arms Harpers Ferry Rifle more and more frequently.

Mine is one of the older versions in 58 caliber.  I reworked it years ago and still enjoy shooting it.  85 grains of powder and a patched round ball make a good shooting, accurate load.

Look around, lots of choices.  If you can handle them before you buy it is even better.

Good Luck

[Doe]

Cabela's by investarms is accurate i have their 50cal percussion cap you will satisfied with it after you've change the nipple there flint lock  should be good also,  wish they'ed make a 54 cal in a 34" barrel caused their prices with their coupon is just right. Got mine brand new under $300.   

[Hairtrigger]

You should think about attending the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Assn's spring shoot in June.  It is located in Southern Indiana
http://www.nmlra.org/

[coyotejoe]

I think the best place to start is by logging on to "Track of The Wolf". They have an excellent web site with very good photos of a great variety of guns, both factory and custom. I'm a bit leery of used muzzleloaders, nearly every one I have examined has had a pitted bore, even though it may look well cared for on the outside. There are some small LED flashlights, the Streamlight Stylus being one, which will drop right down a bore of .40 caliber or larger and permit a good examination of the inside.
  In factory built rifles the "Lyman Trade Rifle" is a bargain at less than $300 and the Lyman Great Plains Rifle is perhaps a bit better but also a bit more money. As far as custom built, I'm now in the process of building myself a Bucks County longrifle and am up to about $700 for parts alone and will likely spend 100 hours of labor in finishing it.
  Again I recommend you go to Track of The Wolf and check out the photos and prices, they will also have everything you need in the way of accessories.

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

If you go with a flintlock that shoots patched roundballs, Do yourself a big favor and order with a .54 barrel. The Lyman Great Plains rifle is available with either a 1:32 twist barrel for sabots/conicals or 1:60 for Patched round balls.
Midsouth has the GPR,$300 for the kit. I bought the kit and am still building it. Not hard to do  these kits, the slower you go the better it comes out at the end.

 Mine has the slow twist barrel for round balls.

I honestly would look hard at the lyman kits.

[boommer]

A cheap way to lite a m/l bore and check it is a replacement battery with the Little bulb on the end they are for fishing bobers cost 3.00 bucks at wall-mart they turn on off last along time.

[Rum River]

I've had my Lyman Great Plains .50 flintlock for several years now. I have the 1-60 twist, it likes a Hornady .495" ball, .018" bore butter patch, 85 grs. Goex FFg, prime with Goex FFFFg.

On a particularly still day at the range, this combination shot a 3 shot cloverleaf at 100 yards with the factory sights.

[beerbelly]

You can't go wrong with the lyman GPR in .54 cal. It has a round ball barrel on it. Just drill the touch hole out to 1/16 " and it will give you quick fire. With a patched round ball and 90 grains of goex 3f powder mine shoots better than I can. Costom guns are great, but cost way too much for me.
                   Beerbelly

[Candle Snuffer]

Though I've been building my own rifles for some time now, I also have the Lyman Flintlock .50 GPR.  It's a good shooter and accurate.  I don't think anyone can go wrong with the Lyman GPR...  It also has a nice 3 1/2" drop which makes the 14" trigger pull very comfortable.

[Anduril]

Steve,

If your local gun shop has some new & used flinchlocks in their racks the chances are good that there is also a local blackpowder club in your area. Ask around at the store and find out when they meet to shoot. If you go to a match I'll bet you will find more than one shooter that will let you try out his smokepole.
..

[filmokentucky]

  A good rule of thumb with muzzleloaders and especially with flintlocks is to buy the best gun you can afford. A poorly functioning flintlock is a miserable thing to have to live with. A quality rifle will be a pleasure to the eye and to use long after you have forgotten the cost. I learned this from experience--the hard way--a long, long time ago!

[Odinbreaker]

Same here Had some poorly made flintlocks years ago and didn't want nothing to do with them I got a lyman flintin december what a difference in quality and performance.  I am really sold and think this will be my go to rifle from now on.

[manofthe45]

Frist ? what part of Pa are you from?  Second have you been to dixon's.  Best place to look and not to far from the cabelas in hamburg.  I just picked up a cabelas brand hawkin in 54 next to new for 225 today at richland shooters.  They had a lyman their for i believe 269 used