Re: Flintlock or Percussion

[dbm]

Just taking a little poll. What do you prefer and why?      

How about starting us off with your thoughts!? David

[wallynut]

I perfer shooting a flintlock.  I have less hassles and one less thing to carry when hunting.  A rifle with a quality flintlock  does not really have the "hang time" that some people think.

Wallynut

[Loozinit]

I like flintlocks for fun but I hunt with a capper.  I learned the hard way that although I might carry a few less ounces and maybe save a couple of movements, the weather here will simply not give you a second chance.

I agree that a well tuned lock and proper priming has very little flashtime.

[Ironhand]

Personally, i prefer the cap, mostly because i live in western Washington and needless to say we get our fair share of water in the air :lol:    I will agree that a well tuned flinter is as fast as any,provided  you keep your powder dry :-)

[Dan Chamberlain]

I shot a flinter once.  Didn't like it.  But I won't rest until I have one!

All my guns are now percussion but I have the flint bug big time.

I watched a man shoot one of those new Jagers and I could not tell the difference in lock time with a percussion!  It was FAST!!!

I'm gonna start with a long rifle ala one of those "Last of the Mohicans" types.  Then I'm gonna run half naked through the forest with my shoulder length hair catching on every twig and branch...er well, maybe I'll wear something a little more protective.  But then my hair is still GI length and will remain so for a long time to come.  

Dan C

[Bob/FLA]

I shot a T/C Renegade for years and did quite well in competition with it.  I've since sold it and gone strictly to 2 flinters.  One is a .35 cal flinter by Cabela's...very nice shooter.  My favorite is a custom .72 smoothrifle, 5'4"long.

I had to learn how to shoot them in rotten weather.  I also had to REALLY learn the ignition system and the importance of proper touch hole placement and using the correct amount of priming powder.

But best of all, it has made me a better shooter.  Absolute consentration THROUGH the shot.  There are a number of physical movements that occur before the shot and I have to maintain a good sight picture through it all.  

For the bottom line...they're more fun to shoot...more challenging.  IMHO

[Hawkeye]

I have four Flinters and that is all I hunt with. Two are .54's , one is .50 and the other is a .76 smoothbore Fowler. I shot a Flinter for the first time in 1981 and liked it so much I built one within two months. Shoot roundball in all of them. Shoot  Competition and hunt. Wouldn't have it any other way. Great site.

Mike Hames
Norman, OK

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

I would say that depends.

If I'm given the choice of a cheapo flinter or a cheapo caplock I'll take the caplock.

Then when a modest-priced squirrel gun became the choice I chose flinter since a misfire on a squirrel is not big deal.

Then when a semi-custom gun became a choice I chose flinter again.  Because in that range a really good lock like a Chamber's lock becomes a reality.  Hunted once this fall for half a day in slow drizzle - fired like nothing bothered it.  Tested it in the backyard in downpour conditions with just the pan and no maincharge - fires like nothing bothers it.  I do grease the pan cover and seal the seam between the frizzen and barrel flat though.

[alpini]

Caplock here. Only because that is what I happen to have. Oldest rifle I own.
  I've been thinking long and hard on a flintlock smoothbore or/and a small game rifle.
  Living in New Mexico, I could probably get away my deer rifle being a flintlock being it's pretty dry around here. I'm sure I'll be heading toward a flinter soon.
   Clayton

[Birddog6]

Mostly flintlocks.  I owned percussions from the mid 70's til the 1990 & bought a flintlock & after getting a flintlock, I sold almost all the percussions & now have 12 flintlocks & one building & parts to build 2 more. Kept the original percussion I built in the 70's & 2 original doublebarrel shotguns in percussion.  Just something about them flinters that really inspire me & especially when ya get one tuned so well that people cannot tell if it is a flint or percussion going off........

[rich e]

I have 3 flintlocks,50 cal blue ridge, 75 cal brown bess carbine, and a 45 cal custom pensylvania, all have really fast ignitions, but I always take my cva kentucky hunter,percussion when I go huntin', shes nice to carry and vary accurate.

[Underclocked]

I tried a flintlock but couldn't get a 209 primer in it.  

[peter nap]

[/b]

[mamaflinter]

I prefer flintlocks. Why? Because it makes me slow down and appreciate everything around me. Today's lifestyle is way too fast for my liking and I find myself rushing here, rushing there, with little time to stop and take a breath. Flintlocks require attention to detail. It also to me is more relaxed and makes me feel like I've stepped back in time. I can almost see our forefathers and frontiersmen walking the same mountains I live/hunt in.

[flintman]

Cause they make me happy!

[mamaflinter]

Flintman you either like them or you don't. There's no middle ground is there. Nice to see you here.

[buckweet]

hello all......
i've never shot a flintlock......
would like too try one.
ya'll have given me a itch..
hows a .36 flintlock kentucky long rifle sound ??
squirrel hunting n' target shooting ??
imathinking im going to have to give this a try,
buckweet

[MATT/WISC]

Hello all!  

My choice of ignition is Percussion.   When H&A offers a Flintlock Underhammer; I may try it.