I just bought my first flintlock from one of our good members, and thought that I should learn a little about them while I await it's arrival. As the title says, I found that have a long way to go!
A couple of questions:
1: Is there a standard size round ball for the 54 caliber? This particular rifle is a Lyman Deerstalker. I see .530 and .535 as the most common, with different thicknesses of patches, Would it be better to use a smaller ball and thick patch, or the largest that will fit with a thinner patch?
2: Is there a black powder substitute that can be used with flintlocks? Real black powder is hard to find around here! Every where I go it's the same story, "we used to carry it, but it just got to be too much trouble". I'm particularly concerned about the priming charge.
Thanks for any help and please forgive my ignorance of this subject.