I got my work done this morning before it got hot out. And was sitting in the house wondering what to do today. I had not realized that the heat had climbed to 89 degrees. So I decided to shoot.

Looked over the gun wall and picked out a 50 caliber Thompson Center Hawken flintlock rifle. The barrel is an original T/C with a 1-48 twist. I was using a White Chert Flint. I forgot where I purchased it or who gave it to me.

Getting outside, I then had the target set up and got readings of 29, 30, and 31 yards. (I mowed the little back area today and had to move the target stand). So I called it thirty yards.

Sabotloader and others always talk about shooting 3f black powder so I decided to give that a try. I started with 85 grains of 3f black powder, just like I would have if I had been using 2f powder.



after shots 1&2 I was not pleased. This rifle shoots better then that. Then I remembered I had brought out 3f so I dropped the charge down to 80 grains of 3f. I was shooting Hornady roundballs, moosemilk lube, and pillow tick for patch. I did not swab at all during the entire shoot.

After lowering the powder charge I shot that hole. That was much more pleasing to me. I did have a couple pans not go off. I found with this chert, you must wipe the nose off a lot more. And I did have to knapp it. After I was done it looked more like a serrated edge and I was worried I had ruined this chert flint. I did learn that it does not knapp like a Black English Flint. Much large flakes come off, with very little pressure.

With my serrated edged flint, I then wanted to do a three shot group to see just how well it was holding.



I would have shot more, but there was no breeze, and the sun was cooking what little brains I had left in my head. So I called it quits. I then went into the ice box. That's my house where it was a pleasant 70 degrees.

This White Chert Flint is a strange rock. When you flake it, a very large flake comes off. I think a person with a large piece could make a heck of a knife blade pretty easy out of it, the way it seems to break. But with a sharp edge, and a clean nose, it sparks real good.

That white chert is probably from Rich Pierce. I have some of them. They spark real well and seem to last a long time.

Good shooting there Cayugad!

Nice shooting. Too hot to walk the target out any farther?
And stop trying to tempt me. I told you no flint locks for me. Nope, no flint locks. NO!

I was the same way Plucket. Then I got my first one and spent days teaching myself how to shoot it without flinching, and getting good spark, etc. Now it seems they are all I want to shoot. Once you get one figured out, they surprise you how fast the ignition is and how well they shoot. But your right.. you need one. Opps, I'm bad. Did I say .. You need one? Funny I should say You need one....

Not that I'm going to get one or anything like that, but, can you put a scope on a flintlock?

Well you could but that wouldn't be the way ol Dan'l Boone would shoot it!!

Some transgressions are so immoral as to embarrass even one who is not completely sane. Wickedness. Pure wickedness.

But a peep sight? You betcha!

Looking good Cay...I shot a bit today as well, also quit after a dozen shots or so...Just too dang hot...

I've opened up the rear sight of my .54 and I'm trying some .526 balls...I had cataract surgery last July and by opening up the rear sight, I'll be OK...

I also shot my .40, looks like I'll be able to squirrel hunt with her this fall...

That 40 caliber would be a fun rifle. Good for small game, coyotes, even deer if you had to. I was tempted to get one of them when GMB had then on sale.