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Thread: wanting to try flintlock maybe, need advice

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

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    wanting to try flintlock maybe, need advice

    I have a 36 cal percussion gun built for me by Jack Garner in Corinth Miss. I got it this summer. Tenn rifle, 36" Rice barrel, L+R Lock, Davis style triggers, shoots like a laser with 20 gr 3f 777. He mostly builds flinters so I asked him if I could get a touchhole liner and a flintlock that would fit the lock mortise that was already there and convert to flint if I wanted to try it. He said "sure" told me the lock (L+R also) and liner that I would need and he keeps them in stock. Now I know that I will need to shoot real black in a flintlock, so I don't want to have that conversation, but I want to hear from you flintlock enthusiasts about the pitfalls, advantages, etc of owning and managing a flinter. I've never had, or shot one. I have been muzzle loading since the '60's in one shape or form. Never a flinter tho!

  2. #2
    Boolit Master


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    you can shoot pyrodex in a flinter as the main charge..but the pan SHOULD be real 4f black.
    I -have-, when no black could be found powdered RS and used it as a pan charge with -ok- results..but real 4f black is the ticket.
    Around here real black is and has nearly always been unobtainable..so I used it sparingly. many times I would duplex a charge..say 5gr of real black down the pipe first, then the rest of the chard as pyrodex RS..then real black in the pan.. that works great..and saves on black.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master Rockingkj's Avatar
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    I have a love hate relationship with my flinter. When it works right could not ask for anything better. Ignition is the key I have to admit I don’t spend enough quality time shooting it. I have friends that would not shoot anything but a rock lock. Advantages, well not in need of percussion caps, ignition can be as fast as percussion. Use real 4f in the pan for best results.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    I have built Hybrid rifles and am working on one more out of a Traditions Kentucky rifle.
    I think the Hybrid is fun to shoot in both percussion and flintlock.
    It takes me about two minutes to swap out the locks and flash hole liners or nipple drums.
    My first Hybrid that I still have and shoot sometimes is built out of a modified Thompson Center rifle.
    I think I did a post on that build.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master


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    I have an iron mounted Virginia flintlock that Jack built for me about 35 years ago. The key element of shooting a flinter is a good lock. I have seen too many people get frustrated trying to get a flinchlock to work. They buy cheap Italian or Spanish copies with poor lock geometry, soft frizzens and unbalanced springs and go nuts trying to get them to fire consistently. L&R's are excellent locks and the sit on 4 of my flinters.

    You can use Pyrodex and/or T7 as a main charge IF you use a priming charge of real black first. Neither of them work as a priming charge in the pan.

    Ever since I have switched over to rocklocks most of my cap guns have been sold or became safe queens. I just find it much more satisfying to shoot a flintlock. Not to mention that, in situations where there is a shortage of primers and/or caps rocklocks will work!

    If you can get a flintlock lock and liner for your cap gun DO IT!
    If you are going to make a hole in something. MAKE IT A BIG ONE!

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master pietro's Avatar
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    Once upon a time, I had two (bought new) Austin & Halleck .50cal Mountain Rifle rocklocks, one with fast twist (1:28") rifling, and the other a slow (1:66") twist - both with 32" bbls.

    When I first bought them, I was very surprised at their virtually instantaneous ignition, compared to the caplock rifles I had used previously.

    I learned pretty quick that loading only a little powder in the pan (well below the level of the touch hole) gave me absolutely zero ignition issues.

    I used the same Powder (FFFg Holy Black) for both the prime and the main charge ( K.I.S.S.)

    I was impressed with the accuracy of the fast twist rifle over the slow twist - so much that I relegated the slow twist rifle for range use, and the fast twist for hunting.

    The only thing I didn't use them for was wet weather use (yeah, I know about cow's knees & a balloon on the muzzle) - so I reverted to a caplock ( with a muzzle balloon & a nipple weather seal) for foul weather days.

    While I've made & used possibles bags and powder horns myself, for hunting I loaded powder & boolits into pocket-carried speed loaders ( heresy). again, K.I.S.S. (YMMV)

    Just as I found sidelock muzzleloaders more satisfying to use than the inline rifles I bought/tried, I likewise found rocklocks more satisfying to use than the cap guns.

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  7. #7
    Boolit Master

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    How long does a flint last? What are the best kind of flints to get? how do you know when it needs to be changed? Do you wrap it in something to put it in the cock? I've seen people with leather around the flint and some with nothing (IIRC).

  8. #8
    Boolit Master scattershot's Avatar
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    Black English flints are the best, IMO. Use a leather pad to keep the flint from moving.some use lead, but that doesn’t have any give to it and is rough on the cock. Flint life depends a lot on the lock, but they can be resharpened several times before they need to be replaced. Rock scratchers are addicting. Enjoy!
    "Experience is a series of non-fatal mistakes"


    Disarming is a mistake free people only get to make once...

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by T-Bird View Post
    How long does a flint last? What are the best kind of flints to get? how do you know when it needs to be changed? Do you wrap it in something to put it in the cock? I've seen people with leather around the flint and some with nothing (IIRC).
    We did a survey in our club, who are flintlock shooters by a large majority. We expect an average of 120 shots from a good English flint. Always use a leather pad to hold the flint. If you saw someone who didn't use it, they are an idiot, and stay away from them.

    Military muskets used flattened lead to hold the lead. DO NOT DO THAT! The lead adds too much weight to the lock mechanism, causing broken sears and tumblers. Most lock makers will not warranty a lock that has had lead used.

    Regardless of what some think, flintlocks can be quite dependable in wet weather. When we have shoots, and it is raining, the cap locks go out of service, while the flint shooters can finish the course.

    Look at some of the Folk Firearms Collective videos on Youtube. This is our club, and you can see how fast flinters should shoot.
    The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
    John Taylor - "African Rifles and Cartridges"

    Forget everything you know about loading jacketed bullets. This is a whole new ball game!


  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master pietro's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by T-Bird View Post

    how do you know when it needs to be changed? - The flint needs sharpening/knapping or replacement when the amount of spark goes down - but a faulty (worn/soft) frizzen will do the same thing.


    Do you wrap it in something to put it in the cock? - As scattershot said, a piece of leather wrapped around the back of the flint when clamped works best - just don't use thin leather.


    I've seen people with leather around the flint and some with nothing (IIRC). - some folks just haven't gotten the memo yet... .



    Shoot the snot out of it, as things will become second nature after awhile.
    Now I lay me down to sleep
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    If I awake, and you're inside
    The coroner's van is your next ride

  11. #11
    Boolit Master

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    you need to sharpen them? I've never tried flintknapping, guess I could learn.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by T-Bird View Post
    you need to sharpen them? I've never tried flintknapping, guess I could learn.
    T-Bird,

    I suggest you get and read the Lyman Blackpowder Handbook for a good tutorial on flintlocks. I sharpen my flints on a course whetstone. I get a sharp edge and shoot. I never got the knack of knacking, so I went to the stone. Good shooting.

    Adam

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

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    I can run a whetstone!

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy ttd444's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by T-Bird View Post
    How long does a flint last? What are the best kind of flints to get? how do you know when it needs to be changed? Do you wrap it in something to put it in the cock? I've seen people with leather around the flint and some with nothing (IIRC).
    my dad (RIP) loved to use a German hard agate flints, but the frizzen needed changed after a few years. he had a German agate from the early 2000s that is still on his gun.

    https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index/...%20pieces%20of

    i have a CVA Bridger Hawken left-handed flintlock in 50 cal and i use French amber flints. i get about 120-150 strikes off of it.

    http://heritage-products.com/Product...20is%20pleased
    Russian Admiral said, after the Moskva sank, "we have the world's worst navy but we aren't as bad as our army".

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  15. #15
    Boolit Man DaleT's Avatar
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    Knapping a flint is not quite the same as chipping off the dull edge of a rock. Use a brass implement for striking the flint, you don't want to inadvertently make a spark. Not sure about others by I have had to freshen up a flint with a charge in the barrel. not a big deal , just blow the priming powder out of the pan and either put a cleaning over the pan or plug the vent with a feather.
    I have 5 long-guns and 2 pistols - yeah they are addicting.

  16. #16
    Boolit Bub
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    If you want to know about flintlocks you should read this book https://www.nmlra.org/store/flintloc...d-appreciation
    It will get you started with excellent advice and insights to flinters.

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master


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    I like French Amber flints although English Blacks are okay too, but my favorites are Missouri Agates which are almost unobtainable now.
    If you are going to make a hole in something. MAKE IT A BIG ONE!

  18. #18
    Boolit Master

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    after communicating with him today, my assumption that the nipple drum and the touch hole liner were threaded the same and interchangeable proved incorrect. If I convert to flint, it is a one way proposition. The hole for the nipple drum would have to be drilled out and tapped with a tapered tap so the liner won't go too deep into the barrel. I don't have the equipment nor the expertise to do this. I'd have to find someone to do it. I'll have to think about it. Thank's for the help from y'all tho.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master Rockingkj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by T-Bird View Post
    after communicating with him today, my assumption that the nipple drum and the touch hole liner were threaded the same and interchangeable proved incorrect. If I convert to flint, it is a one way proposition. The hole for the nipple drum would have to be drilled out and tapped with a tapered tap so the liner won't go too deep into the barrel. I don't have the equipment nor the expertise to do this. I'd have to find someone to do it. I'll have to think about it. Thank's for the help from y'all tho.
    It a good time to buy another rifle. Can’t have too many muzzle loaders. Can I get an amen from the congregation? Lol

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master pietro's Avatar
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    AMEN ! !

    .
    Now I lay me down to sleep
    A gun beside me is what I keep
    If I awake, and you're inside
    The coroner's van is your next ride

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BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check