Go Back  HuntingNet.com Forums > Firearms Forum > Black Powder
 New to me Flintlock >

New to me Flintlock

Black Powder Ask opinions of other hunters on new technology, gear, and the methods of blackpowder hunting.

New to me Flintlock

Old 04-22-2009, 09:50 AM
  #1  
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
 
sabotloader's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Idaho
Posts: 11,703
Default New to me Flintlock

Spent yeterday afternoon cleaning this new TC that I got on my last trip over to Kennewick. It is an older Kit model that someone really did a good job on. I think the original owner must have had the barrel 'hot' blued because it is a deep dark blue... For the last 10/12 years it has been stored in the back of a closet. Ed said that he did send it into TC several years ago and they put a new lock on it. He also said when it came back he did shoot a couple of pans of powder to make sure it was sparking correctly. That kinda concerned me as i was worried about the condition of the bore - if it had not been cleaned correctly.

The firt oily patch i ran down the bore, all the way to the bottom felt really smooth and I was breathing a little easier, but when it came out it was covered with rust. Broke out the JB's and ran 100 stokes on six different patches - cleaned the barrel till I got clean patches - dropped in the bore light... Beautiful - looks like a mirror in there.

At first I thought it might be a 1/60-6 twist but I am pretty confident that it a 1/48...

Now the next problem! A new learning curve for myself... I really did not have much of an interest in a 'rock sparker' then Big 6x6 went off on the traditional guns, posted a picture of really nice TC flinter - then indicated that they are really fun to shoot. So, if I figure out how to shoot it I will let you know if they are fun - remember I am an 'A' personality - an OLD football/baseball coach with very little paitence. My work might be cut out for me....







Gotta throw this in also - not ML related... although it is yesterday's history

Monday's hunt... we can not hunt pigs - so this has to work for me



sabotloader is offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 10:52 AM
  #2  
Boone & Crockett
 
Semisane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
Posts: 10,917
Default RE: New to me Flintlock

You're right Sabotloader, whoever put that kit together did a fine job. The color and finish looks better than TC factory jobs by far. I'm glad the "butt clench" went away after your work on the bore. A little fine surface rust like that didn't likely hurt a thing.

Don't worry about the "A" type personality - that rock lock will teach you humility.
Semisane is offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 10:57 AM
  #3  
Dominant Buck
 
cayugad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 21,193
Default RE: New to me Flintlock

That is a great bird you scored on there... congratulations.

The flintlock is a lot easier then people believe it is. The main things.. keep your flint sharp, your touch hole open, and your powder dry. The rest is just natural after that.
cayugad is offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 11:12 AM
  #4  
Giant Nontypical
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
Default RE: New to me Flintlock

Congrats on the turkey...I'm still chasing them down here in NC...

As Cay mentioned, flintlocks are much easier than most realize...This was the common form of ignition for at least 225 years, longer than any other...

I did notice a couple of things...It looks like you have a cut flint in the jaws...Find you some black English gun flints, they are the most reliable...It also looks like the touch hole is a little low on that gun so you will have to experiment on how much pan powder works best...When I make a flinter I put the touch hole high so the heel of the pan keeps powder from filling the hole...

I would also recommend real black powder...If possible FFF Goex...You can use FFF as both the main charge and the priming powder...

Finally...Use only cotton or linen for patching...I prefer to buy in bulk and lube as I need them...When working up a load, keep an eye on your used patches, once they start burning accuracy goes to pot...
nchawkeye is offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 11:28 AM
  #5  
Boone & Crockett
 
bronko22000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,738
Default RE: New to me Flintlock

Hey Sabot - that is a nice piece you picked up there. I'm sure you will have fun with it. The thing with flinters that a lot of inexperienced people do is overfill the pan. This creates a 'fuse' effect..... and causes that Pffffft...boom you hear so much about. Just enough FFFFg to cover the bottom of the pan is usually enough. Oh yeah, before you go out, wipe your frizzen off with alcohol or some other degreaser to get any oil off of it.

BTW - nice turkey. My season starts on Saturday. Can't wait.
bronko22000 is offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 01:35 PM
  #6  
Typical Buck
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 552
Default RE: New to me Flintlock

SL,
Nice jake ya got there. Our NY season starts May 1st. Can't wait.

Love that gun. I'm saving up for a flinter (never owned one). Maybe I should look used?


Old/New is offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 02:20 PM
  #7  
Fork Horn
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 261
Default RE: New to me Flintlock

What a nice rifle, sabotloader. Unless it has a custom barrel it is a 1:48 twist which is good for roundball or conicle. Three things to keep in mind are to keep a sharp flint that is correctly positioned. For the fastest ignition use 4-f powder for priming and use a chipped flint instead of the synthetic flints as are sold by TC. The flints that I am speaking of are sold by Track of the Wolf and other supply companies. Also, making sure that your touch hole is clear will almost garentee ignition provided you get a good spark.

Good luck and enjoy your rifle.

Mr.Flintlock is offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 03:17 PM
  #8  
Dominant Buck
 
cayugad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 21,193
Default RE: New to me Flintlock

http://members.aye.net/~bspen/flintlockfaq.html


I have a Hawkin just like that and it is a great shooting rifle. I can't wait to hear your first experience with it. You will be hooked.
cayugad is offline  
Old 04-22-2009, 07:56 PM
  #9  
Nontypical Buck
 
hunting junkie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: indiana
Posts: 1,621
Default RE: New to me Flintlock

Nice gun and nice bird.
hunting junkie is offline  
Old 04-23-2009, 08:16 AM
  #10  
Fork Horn
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Green Bay wi
Posts: 454
Default RE: New to me Flintlock

He really did a nice job on the rifle !!!! Nice bird too
dphobby is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
danny426
Black Powder
10
12-14-2008 10:21 AM
cayugad
Black Powder
20
07-05-2007 06:51 PM
Wimuzzleman
Black Powder
35
12-10-2006 03:51 PM
tkstae
Black Powder
3
12-03-2006 05:13 PM
ZSully17
Black Powder
7
01-04-2006 11:03 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Quick Reply: New to me Flintlock


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.