Thoughts on a nontraditional flintlock?

[Brick85]

I see that Traditions is making a flintlock which can use loose powder or pellets, and can be cleaned from the breech.

https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/product/pa-pellet-ultralight-black-black-cerakote-finish

I've always wanted a flintlock. There's some appeal to the idea of not needing primers which are becoming harder and harder to find. And the appeal of older technologies also calls to me. Someday, maybe I'll build a kit with a nice wooden stock, someday I'll get a real historic piece.

But for now, to get the hang of a flintlock and as a gun that I could maybe do some muzzleloading hunting with, is the Traditions a good gun? I especially like the idea of being able to take out the breech plug and clean it straight through from the breech side.

[Nueces]

Thanks for the heads up. I like the idea of a using tool rock lock that's easy to clean. These are out of stock most places. Midway has few to no rifles, but still has a few rifle kits, that include some accessories that looked good to me and for just a few dollars more. I just ordered one.

[tmanbuckhunter]

Many an aspiring flinter has bought a traditions and gotten a sour taste in their mouth only to never return. With flintlocks, you most certainly get exactly what you pay for.

[Thundermaker]

My question is, do you still have to prime it with real black powder? If so, it defeats the purpose. If you have access to the real stuff, I can't think of a reason to use substitutes, unless one is just too lazy to measure a powder charge.

I also don't see the point of using a flintlock if you're going to load it like an in-line, but to each his own.

The breech cleaning is nice, I will admit.

[Sasquatch-1]

I would try your local pawn shops and see if they have anything in stock. Usually they don't but sometimes someone will come in with several guns, with one being a traditional muzzle loader, to sell and want a package deal. In my area the traditional style do not sell well at pawn shops and can be had at a reasonable price.

Also, if you are truly thinking about a kit, check out Jim Kibler https://kiblerslongrifles.com/. It will be twice as much but you will have a much better gun when you are done.

[sharps4590]

A GOOD flintlock will be close to $200.00. For some reason I doubt that rifle has a "good" lock. tman nailed it. And, yes, real BP will be needed for the prime. Sparks from the frizzen aren't hot enough to ignite subs. Looks like an answer to the question never asked.

[Brick85]

My thinking is that while I would need real BP to prime the pan, it would allow me to use pellets if that's all that's available (as I saw this summer) and also loose substitute powders. Real holy black is hard to come by in my area, so using less of it would mean a lot. I don't necessarily need to use the pellets but it seems to simply the cleaning with the removable breech plug.

One bigger question I have is how well rifles like these, or like inlines, do with cast boolits. I know many of them are designed to work with manufactured sabots or other specific projectiles. Have folks had good results making their own projectiles?

[waksupi]

A GOOD flintlock will be close to $200.00.

I will point out, that is just the LOCK! You will not buy a decent flintlock rifle for that money.

I doubt you would be happy in your choice in the long run.

[GregLaROCHE]

Being able to clean isn’t as much of an advantage as you might think. If you want to get into this type of shooting, get something standard. Most important is the quality of the lock. Do some research on whether you want to buy as far as the quality and performance of the lock. Make sure it has a strong spring. Don’t rule out a used gun. As long as you do some research, you can make out pretty well. Use real black powder!

[tmanbuckhunter]

If you're on a budget get a nice caplock. A good flintlock simply cannot be bought cheap, and ease of cleaning? Hog wash. They're easy enough to clean as they are.

[Good Cheer]

My Traditions flintlocks have a habit of going bang when the trigger is pulled.
This el cheapo Deerhunter is so reliable it was given a 31" long smoothbore barrel.
I've since fitted a buffalo horn butt plate.
http://i.imgur.com/zGbTrDJ.jpg (https://imgur.com/zGbTrDJ)

[sharps4590]

I don't believe you're going to ignite pellets or a sub from a flash in the pan UNLESS you lead the main charge with 5 or so grs. of real black.

Waksupi is correct, I was talking about just the lock.

[Ithaca Gunner]

All the above is good advice. The first rock-lock I bought in the '70s was a cheap factory long rifle in .45. I don't recall the maker, it went off once in a while when the planets were aligned just so, but I never took it out in the woods hunting. About 20years later I tried another, a Lyman .54 Great Plains Rifle. That was a little better, but not enough so to trust it hunting. I now have a hand made contemporary long rifle in .54 that actually goes, ''boom'' when the trigger is squeezed. Not cheap though. You get what you pay for in a rock-lock!

[bedbugbilly]

IMHO - that rifle and a traditional flintlock are apples and peach pits.

I took a look at the link and maybe I'm missing - and I looked at the specs as well - I don't see what they are offering it in as far as bore size?

I think the comment above about what is used to prime it is also a good quesion. To each their won and I resect that, but starting out with something like that, using powder pellets, etc. is going to present a vast change if you decide to go on to a traditional flintlock. If budget is and issue, look for a good used production rifle - it might take a bit of time to find one but they are out there.

[1Hawkeye]

Nancy Regan said it best. "Just say no"

[sharps4590]

Ithaca, my flintlock experience echo's yours, almost down to the time frame as well. Way back then I had friends who built and shot flinters and there's worked fine. Finally one of the guys who built rifles took mine home with him....then told me to come get it and go buy a good rifle. 10-15 years later I did precisely that. Been in love with 'em ever since!

[Brick85]

Thanks, folks, looks like I'll be going a different direction. I have a friend who is very knowledgeable on black powder firearms, and perhaps he can show me how easy it is to clean a traditional flintlock.

[1Hawkeye]

Yes, cleaning a traditional is a lot easier and faster.