Flintlock Choices
 

Been rolling around the idea of getting a FL. I see them anywhere from $100 camo synthetics on up in price. I see them in 45,50,54 and bigger. I will use the gun for deer hunting only in late December early January only, which is cold and can be damp w/ snow.Probably shoot some fun target rounds.
At this time shots will be in the 50-75 yard range and Flintlock muzzleloader hunters may use "any single projectile," including sabots, and mini and maxi balls.
The old FL guys in my camp have died off and the younger/new guys (including me) shoot inlines only. I need help on adecsion that will not break the bank but I can use and depend on for the years to come. I need an outfit to hunt w/ in PA flintlock season. Thanks in advance for your help! This a MM are great BP sites for information.

RE: Flintlock Choices
 

You might want to check into a .50 caliber from Traditions. Price is right and workmanship is very good. I'll take this one when the weather is bad rather than one of my pricey guns. If you put just a touch of grease around the edge of the pan and close the frizzen you will be OK even in the rain. Which ever one you choose be sure the frizzen seats tight over the pan. 4F is the recommended priming powder but 3F will work just as well. I'd recommend taking about 20 shots or so so you get use to the flash in front of your eye and also to sight in. If you haven't shot a flinter before the flash of the pan can be destracting and pull you off the target. A cow's knee which is nothing more than a leather cover that has been greased can be made to cover the lock to also prevent dampness.
Hope this helps.
Rock Lock

RE: Flintlock Choices
 

Depending on how much you're willing to spend, I would recommend the Lyman Trade Rifle, Deer Stalker, or Great Plains. Best prices are at Midsouth.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/deptsearch3x.asp?dept=%4D%55%5A%5A%4C%45%4C%4F%41% 44%49%4E%47&dept2=%4D%55%5A%5A%4C%45%4C%4F%41% 44%49%4E%47%20%52%49%46%4C%45%53&dept3=%35%30% 20%43%41%4C

I shoot a Great Plains in .54 caliber with a slow twist / round ball barrel. It's a great gun.

RE: Flintlock Choices
 

Flintlocks are an alluring creature. Once you start shooting them they get in your blood. I never thought I would take to a rifle like I did flintlocks.

When you buy a flintlock the things I looked for were lock speed, and barrel twist. Depending on what you want to shoot, the barrel twist is the key. A 1-66 twist or 1-60 like a Lyman Great Plains Rifle is excellent for round ball. A .54 caliber roundball is great deer medicine and knocks them flat. I'd never look sideways at a 100 yard shot with a rifle like that.

If you want to shoot roundball, maybe sabots, conicals, and power belts, then you need to look at a 1-48 twist. Here again, I shoot a Lyman Trade Rifle in .54 caliber. Its very accurate with roundball, and powerbelts. I have never tried sabots only as I have a lot of sabot shooting rifles, so this on can stay simple.

The T/C line of Flintlocks like the Renegade, Hawkins, Firestorm, and some of the older models out there are all good shooters. Many of them have a 1-48 twist although there are some Firestorms that are 1-28 I believe. The beauty of these rifles, besides they will shoot roundball, conicals, and sabots is, you can get drop in barrels from Green Mountain Barrel Company and turn them in to a sabot shooters dream rifle. They also do real good with large conicals.

Traditions makes a good rifle. I have a Traditions Woodsman Hawkins Flintlock that has one of the fastest locks of my arsenal. Although the lock was customized by the original owner, so I am just reaping his good work. This little rifle is sweet to handle and shoot.

If I were looking for another flintlock, and I wanted a good shooting dependable gun with excellent customer service, I would search the auction sites and get a T/C Renegade of Hawkins. Then you have the best of all worlds. I picked up on flintlock Hawkins for $175.00 and it is a beauty. I threw a 21 inch GMB 1-28 twist barrel on it, and I have a perfect stalking or tree stand rifle... Plus I have the original barrel if I want to shoot roundball..

Then if you really have money you can go custom, but you said you did not want to break the bank, so I would check the auction sites and get me a T/C or Lyman, even a Traditions. What ever is in your price range.

RE: Flintlock Choices
 

Excellent summary and advice there Cayugad. A++

RE: Flintlock Choices
 

That's our Cayugad. No mincing of words - just fact.

RE: Flintlock Choices
 

And I sure like his new signature !!! :D:D That's funny

RE: Flintlock Choices
 

As usual you guys have me tracking true. Thanks guys, BUT I'd let the wife in first cause she sleeps in the bed with me!

RE: Flintlock Choices
 

Here are a few to keep your eye on...

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=109541407

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=109540141

they have their prices high on these, but the rifles are new in the box.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=109772651

this one is more reasonable, but questions need to be asked about the condition of the rifle, etc..

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=109816100

Again, new in the box and much more reasonable. If the tradtional look is not important, this would be another to watch.

This tells me some of the rifles are starting to show up. If the camo stocks are not a thing that turns you off, then these would be good rifles...

RE: Flintlock Choices
 

I am from PA. and we have a special flintlock only season after Chistmas. I shoot and hunt with flinters pretty much exclusively simply because I like them and shots are very seldom out to 100 yards. I have taken deer with roundballs, sabots and conicals; I prefer the saboted pistol bullets of hollow point design and they thump deer quite well.

If I were to recommend a flintlock rifle for hunting the #1 choice far and away is the RMC Accusporter manufactured in PA. by RMC Sports. I would get it in the 28" barrel length; they are 50 caliber with an L&R lock which is a very water resistant design, they have very good spark and excellent trigger pull. They also are a laminated wood stock with I really like but may not appeal to the traditional folks. Laminated stocks are just more durable and warp resistant. The barrels are the LRH (long range hunter) 1/28 twist from Green Mountain. They handle charges up to 120 grains of 2f and 110 grains of 3f. Just about any saboted pistol or pointed bullet design shoot outstanding. They are very accurate with roundballs and a 50-60 grain charge and are great for using for offhand practice. The Hornady Great plainsconicals are also very accurate from these barrels. The Barnes245 grain spitfires will almost 1 hole at 75 yards in mygun. The price has gone up quite a bit over the last year and are listed on the RMC Sports online catalog at 625.00. Seems like a lot and it is; but,I would not sell mine for twice that.

I should mention a few things about the current situation with Green Mountain barrels. They are not going to be selling any more fast twist drop in muzzle loader barrels. They are gone and will not be available again. You will have a very difficult time finding one in flintlock and I have tried.

The RMC is an outstanding rifle; do yourself a huge favor and check them out. There is no better production flintlock on the market. It is made for hunting not looking at or hanging on the wall but they are a rather attractive rifle IMO. I also have a TC PA Hunter 1/66 twist ball gun which is nice but a saboted load from the RMC really puts a thump on a whitetail. These are my opinions and only you can decide what to start with. Buy quality and you won't regret it.