Flintlocks for hunting?
- Thread starter Huntsman
- Start date
Huntsman
My self and my partners hunt with flintlocks most of the time. We use Pedersoli's and one fellow has a Robinson.
If I was buying a new gun I would look at the Lyman Trade Rifle for hunting. There is good availability of aftermarket accessories for these guns and they seem to be well made. T/C is much more expensive but has a great reputation for customer service.
CVA has discontinued production of their traditional rifles and gone strictly to in-line manufacture. Traditions is a lower end gun but from what I have read on the black powder boards seems to be a functional rifle for the beginner. Stick with the Traditions Hawken and leave their pellet flintlock alone. The best prices that I have found on Traditions rifles is at SIR. Most large gunstores carry Lyman and T/C.
I suggest that you try a flintlock before making a purchase as they are quite different from regular hunting rifles and even from caplock guns. They require the use of black powder only as the new black powder substitutes like Pyrodex and 777 do not ignite well in flintlocks despite manufacturers claims.
Hunting with a flintlock is similar to hunting with a compound bow except that it is noisier, about 25 yards more range and the second shot is a lot slower.
sluice
My self and my partners hunt with flintlocks most of the time. We use Pedersoli's and one fellow has a Robinson.
If I was buying a new gun I would look at the Lyman Trade Rifle for hunting. There is good availability of aftermarket accessories for these guns and they seem to be well made. T/C is much more expensive but has a great reputation for customer service.
CVA has discontinued production of their traditional rifles and gone strictly to in-line manufacture. Traditions is a lower end gun but from what I have read on the black powder boards seems to be a functional rifle for the beginner. Stick with the Traditions Hawken and leave their pellet flintlock alone. The best prices that I have found on Traditions rifles is at SIR. Most large gunstores carry Lyman and T/C.
I suggest that you try a flintlock before making a purchase as they are quite different from regular hunting rifles and even from caplock guns. They require the use of black powder only as the new black powder substitutes like Pyrodex and 777 do not ignite well in flintlocks despite manufacturers claims.
Hunting with a flintlock is similar to hunting with a compound bow except that it is noisier, about 25 yards more range and the second shot is a lot slower.
sluice
Thanks Sluice for your informative info.I'm not quite sure though what you mean when you say"Stick with the Traditions Hawken and leave their pellet flintlock alone." From what I gather, you're saying to avoid a certain model flintlock?
As well,would you use a flintlock on game larger than whitetail and mule deer :?:
And lastly,I did have a look at the Lyman "Trade Rifle" in the the Russels Sports catalog,it was $329.99 I believe? I am a bowhunter as well,so I understand the patience and deception aspects(with deer mind you).I already own an in-line bp gun.But I think the flintlock would be extremely different if not more challenging :!:
Thanks again,
Huntsman
As well,would you use a flintlock on game larger than whitetail and mule deer :?:
And lastly,I did have a look at the Lyman "Trade Rifle" in the the Russels Sports catalog,it was $329.99 I believe? I am a bowhunter as well,so I understand the patience and deception aspects(with deer mind you).I already own an in-line bp gun.But I think the flintlock would be extremely different if not more challenging :!:
Thanks again,
Huntsman
That's a really good price. If you're looking for a flinter for hunting, I'd suggest the .54, due to the bigger (230gr) round ball that it shoots. I've shot the Lyman Trade Rifle for a few years and am quite pleased with the quality. (I also shoot TC and CVA Hawken rifles) The flintlock sure is different from a conventional BP rifle. There's an unmistakable lag between the trigger pull and the "boom" (more like a "click, fft, BOOM!). Even though it's not very long, it's slower than a caplock.
Going "primitive" usually means leaving the sabots at home, but a good friend of mine hunts quite often with a Traditions flintlock in .50 cal, loaded with a .44 HP in a sabot.
One of the best pointers my friend has come up with is using automobile detailing (double-sticky) tape to create a gasket between the bottom of the #### and the frizzen. The stuff is about 1mm thick and creates an excellent seal over the frizzen, preventing your priming powder from trickling out while you're hunting. That can make all the difference between the rifle going "click" or "boom" when you pull the trigger. :wink:
Huntsman said:Just looking for opinions for using a flintlock to hunt big game :?: ,As well as opinions on the different makes ie; T/C,CVA,Traditions and Lyman. Thanx, Huntsman
A properly made and adjusted flintlock (one that sparks well and HAS THE TOUCH-HOLE CORRECTLY LOCATED, at or just a hair above the top edge of the pan) can have a lock time as short as 1/1000 of a second! Just fill the pan up to within a hair of the touch-hole, BUT don't cover the touch hole, or the powder train will have to burn through the hole before the main charge is ignited. You want the main charge to be ignited by the FLASH from the pan! This is what gives a fast lock time.
If you wrap the lock area with plastic wrap after loading, a flinter even works well in wet weather. Here in PA, the late ML season is limited to flintlocks only, although they have "liberalized" the rules somewhat in the last couple of years to allow the use of conicals and Minie/Maxi-balls along with the traditional patched round balls.
A correctly made flintlock is a lot more reliable than most would guess!
Well as much as the interest in the flintlock idea has appealed to me,I'm gonna put that on hold as my Big Bro (Gilly) has offered to sell me his Pedersoli .50cal ?
He said it's long,and cost him $900 & change.So I went for it ,But I will eventually aquire myself a flint lock,So thanks all for your opinions and shared information
Huntsman
He said it's long,and cost him $900 & change.So I went for it
,But I will eventually aquire myself a flint lock,So thanks all for your opinions and shared information Huntsman
I'm actually am thinking of putting a synthetic stock on it and seeing about converting it to .50cal centerfire,then I'll have to drill & tap her for a big ####off scope,after that who knows :lol:GILLY said:
On a serious side,if one were to change from a caplock to a flintlock,would it then classify as a primitive rifle that does not require regi####instration :?:
juanvaldez
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sudbury, Ontario
Correct, the gun would be in limbo
i like the traditional 20 ga trade gun, flint of course , i have taken a few deer with this , 20 ga north star , i have just bought a caywood left flint english style smoothbore , the stock design is easier on your face with max loads , each to his own i guess .. wade
