Flintlock powder question

sisiphunter

sisiphunter

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Saskatoon, SK
Hello all,

I have a Lyman Deerstalker Flintlock. Have been using it for years in the states. I am originally from Pennsylvania where muzzleloader season is Flintlock (or earlier) firearms are only allowed. Now down there Blackpowder is easily accessible. But up here in Saskatoon at least, it is hard to come by. I have found the odd pound, but I am wondering if a bp replacement (777) will work??? I still have lots of FFFg for the pan, but FFg is in short order. I just would like to have a readily available replacement if need be.

Thanks, Matt
 
Hey Matt,

Blackpowder is getting hard to find because of changes in US law. It now falls under the same restrictions that barrels, frames, etc. fall under and there is great difficulty getting it exported out of the US. You can still use Pyrodex or Triple 7, though.
If you really want to go primitive weapon, you could make your own BP :D
 
From what I have tried and others have told me...the BP substitutes don't work in a flintlock. Others may have been successful and maybe they will chime in.
 
Use your FFF for the main charge as well as the pan, keep it real, you won't like substitutes in your flintlock, call Becky, she'll fix you up with real Black Powder in Sask.
 
ben hunchak said:
Use your FFF for the main charge as well as the pan, keep it real, you won't like substitutes in your flintlock, call Becky, she'll fix you up with real Black Powder in Sask.
Click to expand...

What's wrong with FFFg substitutes? I have also bought a flintlock deerstalker recently and I'm waiting to fire it for the first time. I got myself a pound of FFFg BP substitute from a local store and the salesman told me that it was just as good... plus it burns cleaner (hence the higher price - but I guessed it was worth it if it doesn't gunk up everything and pit the bore).

Can you please shed some light on what is wrong with using it? misfires or kabooms maybe? :eek:

Thanks...
 
The substitute powders have higher temperatures of ignition. They work ok in percussion guns but not in flintlocks. The original poster might try Hillfolk Muzzle loading which is somewhere in Saskatchewan if my memory is correct. their contact info has been posted in the black powder section a couple of times in the past year

cheers mooncoon
 
7.62...never believe what a salesman tells you, he probably doesn't know what a flintlock is, Becky and Hillfolk are one and the same( i didn't want to get in bad with any of our sponsors.) Ditto...what mooncoon said, ignition is critical here, as it can be problematic in a flinter, real BP or no BOOM( or worse....a very delayed BOOM)
 
Using BP substitute

I have used BP substitutes in my muskets BUT you still MUST use BP in the pan. In addition I put about 5 grains down the barrel first and then poured down the substitute. I was using Pyrodex so perhaps 777 might be better.

Steve.
 
Matt, etc.:
BP substitutes all have a higher ignition temperature than the real stuff. They work fine in percussion guns but will still foul the bore and corrode it too just like BP. If you are serious about flintlock performance use only FFFFg in the pan for fastest ignition by the sparks and use FFg or FFFg in the barrel, as suits the caliber of your piece. Expect slow or no ignition using substitutes in your flinter. Hill Folk are in Senlac SK. Good luck
 
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I used 777 in my flintlock and almost gave up on the whole flintlock experience cos ingition was so poor:mad:.
I tried goex fff for both the pan and main charge, and now I am amazed how reliable a flinter can be!:)
Don"t even waste your time and flints on substitutes. Buy real black, fff is ok for both. You will be impressed. I intend to hunt with mine this year.
 
Oh yeah subs in a flintlock = unhappy days!

Real black powder is the only way to go, save your subs for your black powder cartridge and percussion arms.


Really makes you think, why can/will they not make a flintlock friendly substitute powder?

It would only up their sales.


Cheers
 
Musketfire said:
Oh yeah subs in a flintlock = unhappy days!

Real black powder is the only way to go, save your subs for your black powder cartridge and percussion arms.


Really makes you think, why can/will they not make a flintlock friendly substitute powder?

It would only up their sales.


Cheers
Click to expand...

I think TC makes/made a flintlock (synthetic stock) that could even use pellets. :cool:
 
Blackpowder is getting hard to find because of changes in US law. It now falls under the same restrictions that barrels, frames, etc. fall under and there is great difficulty getting it exported out of the US. You can still use Pyrodex or Triple 7, though.
If you really want to go primitive weapon, you could make your own BP
Click to expand...

Please try to avoid posting on subjects you clearly do not know sweet FA about. :(

Pyrodex doesn't work in a flintlock unless you like to wait 2+ seconds for the main charge to go off. First time I tried it, the thing scared the pants off me because it sounded like it was going to explode on my shoulder. It makes this terrible extended hissing sound before going BOOM!.

And FWIW maknig black powder is ILLEGAL in Canada unless you happen to have a licence to do so.

What's wrong with FFFg substitutes? I have also bought a flintlock deerstalker recently and I'm waiting to fire it for the first time. I got myself a pound of FFFg BP substitute from a local store and the salesman told me that it was just as good...
Click to expand...

I would avoid going back to that store cause that salesguy doesn't know s**t about flinters. And unfortunately like many people on this board thinks it is OK to make stuff up without any real experience in the subject. :(

Only real black powder should be used in a flinter. Use 4F in the pan and 2F or 3F for the main charge.
 
Thanks for all of the reply's. I've been told at my local gun shop that "oh yeah use the 777 or pyrodex, just not the 50gr pellets, it will work fine" I never did believe it and just wanted some other opinions. Once I am able to find some 4Fg I will be using that in the pan, but for now the 3Fg is working ok, little slower on the ignition, but not all that noticable. I have only ever shot flintlock and love it. Shot a nice size doe last year with it and plan to use it again this year.

Thanks again, Matt
 
stevejones said:
I have used BP substitutes in my muskets BUT you still MUST use BP in the pan. In addition I put about 5 grains down the barrel first and then poured down the substitute. I was using Pyrodex so perhaps 777 might be better.

Steve.
Click to expand...

Yep, it is an old trick which functions! :rockOn:
 
Thanks for the replies guys... well, it looks like I wasted $35 on a pound of BP substitute for nothing, while the real (cheaper) stuff would've been much better. Argh... :mad:

Anyway, when time allows, I will go and try to get some real BP. The thing is that I don't think I can get 4F anywhere locally, as it seems to be a rare commodity. As far as I can recall, 3F is all there is out here...

This is what I have now:

American%20Pioneer%20Powder%20FFFG.jpg



Edit: I found the pic on an American site and their price is $14 USD/pound for this product... GOD I hate getting raped again and again with our socialist prices up here (on pretty much everything, starting with gas!).
 
762mm said:
Thanks for the replies guys... well, it looks like I wasted $35 on a pound of BP substitute for nothing, while the real (cheaper) stuff would've been much better. Argh... :mad:

Anyway, when time allows, I will go and try to get some real BP. The thing is that I don't think I can get 4F anywhere locally, as it seems to be a rare commodity. As far as I can recall, 3F is all there is out here...
Click to expand...

Someone told me about a store on the Reserve south of Montreal (Kahnawake) that has BP supplies. (never been there personally).
Or if you are traveling up the 401 stop at Gunmart in Brockville (Tincap) thats where I found mine. :)
 
I was having ignition problems with my flinter...Too long a delay between the pan and main charge ignition I was using Pyrodex...Switched to Goex, and problem disappeared....Pyrodex needs a hotter fire (as been mentioned before, and I agree)...For percussion, Pyrodex is fine...And don`t use Triple seven unless you really know what you`re doing...777 burns at a higher pressure....
 
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