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Author Topic: My first flintlock  (Read 673 times)

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Offline Rum River

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My first flintlock
« on: August 16, 2005, 08:36:01 AM »
...actually two!

Went to an auction last week, came home with a Lyman GPR .50 flint, and a Pedersoli .32 Frontier flint.

Also a caplock version of the Pedersoli, and a couple of cap-n-ball revolvers.

Had the Lyman out already, went off every time. I've shot percussion for years, but I'm looking forward to my first 'flint' deer.
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Rum River

"It was a FRIENDLY fight".     "Hmph, I've never been in one a them."

Offline Black Jaque Janaviac

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My first flintlock
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2005, 11:35:36 AM »
Have fun with it!  Sounds like you made quite the haul at the auction.

I recommend using a 1/4" range rod and muzzle guard for the .32.  My Pedersoli .32 went to pot when the muzzle eroded from the tight fitting ramrod.  They equip it with a 5/16" ramrod which doesn't allow room for a muzzle guard.  The dirt and grit that gets on the rod slowly wore out the rifling.  To my utter horror I began missing squirrels at 10- feet!

I filed the muzzle down until I could see rifling again.  That fixed it!  But it didn't fix the problem of it having a tight rod fit.  

If I ever get a small bore again it will be a .36 or something other-than-Pedersoli with a 1/4" rod.

Incidentally, this problem showed up precisely because it was my first flintlock and my first small bore.  It instantly became my favorite shooter, and got shot a lot as a result.  I suppose someone else who wouldn't shoot it as often would not encounter this problem in a lifetime.
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Offline ribbonstone

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My first flintlock
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2005, 12:58:37 PM »
As much as I like tradtional things, the .32 is one place whree a synthitic ram rod makes sense (thy do make them for .32's)...just hard to find straight grained wood in that small a diameter; one small flaw that would pass in a 45cal rod will snap in a .32cal one.  I still keep the wood one in the thimbles, but it's more or less just for emergency use.

BUT,,, did sand it down to a better fit and soaked it in oil for a couple of months (length of garden hose...plugged at the end...insert rod....fill with oil...hang vertical..let it sit).

Sound like you made a good haul.
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Offline Rum River

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My first flintlock
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2005, 07:19:51 AM »
I know what you mean about the tight-fitting ramrod. I checked at Track of the Wolf, and that's the smallest diameter they offer. As you said, a VERY tight fit. Both of the .32's came with fiberglass rods of a smaller diameter, I can get by with them for the moment.
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Rum River

"It was a FRIENDLY fight".     "Hmph, I've never been in one a them."

Offline TN.Frank

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My first flintlock
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2005, 11:15:43 AM »
Welcome to the world of "REAL" muzzle loaders.  I had a T/C Renegade that a guy fixed up with a custom cherry stock and all back in the mid 80's. I sold that gun and kicked myself everyday for years until I got an Austin and Halleck Flint Mt. Rifle a couple years ago.  I love the heck out of flintlocks. What other gun can you shoot with a rock, man that's a cool feeling.  Long as the powder and ball holds out I can shoot, no need for caps.  Have fun, shoot safely.
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Offline Rum River

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My first flintlock
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2005, 06:57:30 AM »
Found the perfect range rod.

Northern Rifleman had a 1/4" diameter by 43" complete with antler handle, muzzle guard and a jag for $20.
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Rum River

"It was a FRIENDLY fight".     "Hmph, I've never been in one a them."

Offline roundball

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My first flintlock
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2005, 08:02:56 AM »
Quote from: Rum River
Found the perfect range rod.

Northern Rifleman had a 1/4" diameter by 43" complete with antler handle, muzzle guard and a jag for $20.


Just as possible info for the future...I remember a post where folks were saying that a length of steel fuel line from an automotive place makes a strong range rod...epoxy a wooden ball on one end, epoxy & pin a threaded accessory adapter on the other
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