.40 cal. Flintlock
 

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.

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.

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

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.

.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)...

.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.