.40 cal. Flintlock

pluckit · 05-20-2011, 01:19 PM

There was a guy at the range shooting a .40 cal. flintlock with open sights today. I have to say that thing, and him, shot amazingly well. I wish I had my camera with me to take pictures of his target. I was so impressed I asked him if I could have his 100 yard target so I could post it and show it to you all. He said I could have it but then he pulled out a pistol and shot more holes in it. That kind of ruined it so I left it. He let me shoot it once and it handled like a dream.

Semisane · 05-20-2011, 03:22 PM

Forties are nice. My first muzzleloading rifle was a .40 caplock that I built from a collection of parts purchased from Dixie Gun Works, and a stock carved from an old mahogony fence post. The barrel was by Numrich. It was a sweet shooter, but I had a stroke of stupidity in my younger days and let it rust.

pluckit · 05-20-2011, 03:28 PM

His was a Green Mountain blank with a hand made stock. I don't know where the lock came from.

bronko22000 · 05-20-2011, 03:50 PM

That is an interesting cal for sure. But I couldn't use it here in PA for deer. Must be 44 cal or larger. And it is too big for squirrel. But I bet it would make for a great turkey rifle....hmmmmm And I thought I was satisfied with my current collection.

nchawkeye · 05-20-2011, 04:47 PM

.40s are just fine for squirrels...25grs FFF and take head shots, works just fine...

I'd bump it to 40-50grs for turkeys and 60gr for deer (if legal of course)...

pluckit · 05-20-2011, 05:49 PM

.40 cal. is the minimum legal caliber for deer here in Maryland. And 60 grains of powder. He was using 65 grains at the range. I'm telling you he was getting a 3 inch group in the bulls eye at 100 yards with open sights. I was amazed. He said he takes tree rats with head and mid body shots.