Would it be wise to use a Flintlock for a first Deer hunt? I plan to go hunting this year with a very experienced friend (I'm in the middle of studying the CORE manual) and would love to use my custom lefty .54cal flintlock with PRB. I understand I would be limited to <100yard shots.
Flintlock for first Deer hunt?
- Thread starter 41 Colt
- Start date
- Location
- Golden Lake
I don't know if it would be "wise" or not - but you'd sure have bragging rights if you got a deer! I'd say go for it! Then tell us all about the hunt. Good luck!
saskgunowner101
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- middle of Sask
As long as you're practiced up with your rifle at expected distances, it should be no problem. If you haven't hunted before, the hardest part might be the excitement of seeing a deer so close and keeping your cool. The one piece of advice I could give you is to practice shooting on command. Small groups look great on paper, but going from rifle in your hands to a good shot in 2-3 seconds is better. Those deer move around more than paper targets.
My advise is go for it! Just make sure you practice with the rifle in the conditions you are going to be hunting in. Perhaps take the flintlock with you on a few scouting trips then fire it at the end of the day. If you leave your flintlock loaded overnight, make sure you leave it out in the cold & don't bring it in from a cold environment into a warm cabin. You will get moisture in your powder charge & it may NOT fire. It happened too me once, so I speak from experience . Keeping the lock under your arm will also keep it dry if there is a lot of dew on the grass/trees, or it is raining. I wish you good luck in your future muzzleloader hunt. Trust yourself, & keep your powder dry.
. Keeping the lock under your arm will also keep it dry if there is a lot of dew on the grass/trees, or it is raining. I wish you good luck in your future muzzleloader hunt. Trust yourself, & keep your powder dry.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I'm all for it too, think it would be a great way to start and make a great memory. Bear in mind wounding will be a far higher risk. Flintlock on deer 50 yards is a pretty safe max, if for no other reason than energy, especially with a round ball. Shot placement is absolutely critical with something as minimalist as a .54 round ball, I see the range you can no longer hit a 6" circle as being max (provided you have the energy). If you have a faster twist rate and are shooting conicals, maybe you can make the 100 yards. Good hunting.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
What a good idea! I lent my flintlock to a recent English immigrant last fall, it was the only hunting rifle that he could use on his own without his PAL, which didn't arrive in time for hunting season. I wonder why more people don't catch on the the fact that a PAL is not required for the possession and use of a flintlock!
Anyway, this fellow, who spent much of his adult life as a military weapons technician in the British military, fell in love with my old smoke pole, and hasn't given it back yet. I suppose I'll have to just sell it to him and get another. Ironic how someone with years of experience with the most up to date high tech weaponry chose low tech and traditional to start hunting with. I think his choice is a fascinating counter point to the long range/techno geek "hunters" who are far too common on this forum.
His deer hunt was unsuccessful, but that is of no importance. He learned that he could hunt on his own, explore the bush and prairie, and learn a lot about the land and the game while using a bit of historical kit and becoming a good hunter in the process.
I have used my percussion .50 cal muzzleloader and patched round ball to take numerous deer, and there is no difference between a well maintained flintlock and a traditional percussion rifle in my opinion. Effective and deadly to about 80 yds or so. And it teaches you to be real hunter, not just a shooter.
Have fun!
Anyway, this fellow, who spent much of his adult life as a military weapons technician in the British military, fell in love with my old smoke pole, and hasn't given it back yet. I suppose I'll have to just sell it to him and get another. Ironic how someone with years of experience with the most up to date high tech weaponry chose low tech and traditional to start hunting with. I think his choice is a fascinating counter point to the long range/techno geek "hunters" who are far too common on this forum.
His deer hunt was unsuccessful, but that is of no importance. He learned that he could hunt on his own, explore the bush and prairie, and learn a lot about the land and the game while using a bit of historical kit and becoming a good hunter in the process.
I have used my percussion .50 cal muzzleloader and patched round ball to take numerous deer, and there is no difference between a well maintained flintlock and a traditional percussion rifle in my opinion. Effective and deadly to about 80 yds or so. And it teaches you to be real hunter, not just a shooter.
Have fun!
I think you would be wise to limit yourself to 50 yards. Shot placement is extremely important and you need to think of the gun more in terms of bow and arrow rather than the effects of a modern cartridge. Someone above posted that a deer is much larger than a paper target and while that is true, the area for a quick kill is no larger and probably smaller than the paper target.
cheers mooncoon
cheers mooncoon
