Shooting the Flintlock Today

HuntAway · 03-11-2007, 04:23 PM

My boy's and I got out for some shooting today with my Lyman Deerstalker Flintlock in .50 cal, Left Handed rifle. I was using 80 gr 2f Goex for a charge, .490 ball, .018 pre-lubed TC pillow ticking patch and 3f Goex in the pan. The last time outI used .010 patches and was all over the place. Today I started out with a cut agate that came with the rifle but wasn't getting a very good spark so I switched to some flints that I got from October Country. They sparked well but are a whole lot more fragile than the agate. I broke the first one after one shot (but it sparked good and lit up the pan). The second flint seems to be more durable than the first one. Using the same charge with a 300 gr partition I was about 12 inches low and not even on the paper aiming with the red circle on top of the bead. That was the same hold I used with the PRB

I think I need a whole lot more practice to get used to the flinter. It is definately a unique style of shooting as my grouping attests too! But it is a hoot to shoot.

Can't wait to get out again next week with my boy'sfor some more smoke making. (weather permitting)

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v445/HuntAway/?action=view&current=107-0702_IMG.jpg

frontier gander · 03-11-2007, 04:26 PM

Sounds like your frizzen needs to be rehardened. They shouldnt be breaking easily like that. Take a lead ball, pound it flat and wrap a flint in it and trim off all the left overs. I tried using leather but kept busting flints, Switched to the lead and started getting great spark and around 50 shots with 1 flint.

HuntAway · 03-11-2007, 04:46 PM

FG,
Re-harden the frizzen? I don't have a clue on how to do that. I'm not the most handiest guy in the world, so, if it isn't simple, I'm pretty much done.

Why the lead? To slow the hammer down?

Thanks,
HA

frontier gander · 03-11-2007, 04:49 PM

No it doesnt slow it down, theres an argument that leather allows the flint to skip across the frizzen while the lead adds weight and does not allow the skipping to happen. I'd give the lead a try, 10 minutes of your time and a little arm muscle could end up saving you $1 a flint.

HuntAway · 03-11-2007, 05:06 PM

Thanks FG. I take it a ball will suffice to be hammered?

frontier gander · 03-11-2007, 05:19 PM

yup a roundball and a hammer. Watch your fingers.

cayugad · 03-11-2007, 05:43 PM

I would doubt the frizzen needs to be hardened on a new rifle. Instead of lead you can also use leather. They sell flint wrappers or you can make them out of some old leather gloves and such. The reason the flint broke the way it did was it probably was not tight in the jaws, and it slipped when it hit the frizzen.

You can also do as frontier gander said, flatten a roundball with a hammer and wrap the flint with that. On your Agate, try simply turning it upside down. Sometimes the way the bevel on the flint or agate is makes a big difference in the length of the spark and the shower of the spark.

Perhaps you are still flinching a little being new to the flintlock and that is causing the poor accuracy. Start your shooting closer if possible. I like to start at 25 yards. Good luck with the rifle.

HuntAway · 03-11-2007, 06:10 PM

Thanks cayugad. I know I'm flinching. It's too bad the hammer going down is on my good ear side. I hear it hitting the frizzen before the flash boom. lol Oh to be a right hand shooter. lol

Can't hear diddley on my right side.
I am aware of it and I know I can overcome it. I believe it will take practice just to get use to the sound. I concentrate on my sights and don't notice the hammer moving, just hear it.

On a side note. I tried some 300 gr Nosler Partiton with the supplied sabot. They loaded real easy with hardly any pressure required to seat them. They shot about a foot low with 80 gr 2f. I thought they loaded too easy. Any thoughts on that?

Note to file.... check jaws to make sure flint is tight.

cayugad · 03-11-2007, 07:28 PM

I shot some sabots the other day out of one of my .54 calibers and they actually shot pretty good with 90 grains of Goex. I have no idea what is happening in your case. The main thing is you're having fun and soon the flinch will go away. I had to mentally tell myself to ignore it.

HEAD0001 · 03-11-2007, 07:48 PM

I know this might sound silly, but it is not meant to be silly. It is difficult to get use to hearing the hammer fall, before the gun goes off. I use the hammer falling as an indicator that the rifle is about to go off. Flintlocks take alot more follow through than any other type of shooting. You basically have to focus after you pull the trigger. I have taught myself to refocus my aim after I pull the trigger. It takes a conscious effort. Try it.

By the way-LH flinters are the berries. Tom.