I kind of want to get more into the black powder shooting as shooting antique handguns can be lots of fun with black powder. I was thinking of getting a flint lock rifle but I'm not sure what to look for or what to get I was thinking a repo but I don't know what else I would need for it besides powder. I just want to shoot for fun. I have never fired a musket before and I don't even know were you can buy one.
What to look for in a new flint lock?
- Thread starter haha49
- Start date
eaglesnester
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Get yourself a Lyman Hawken. You have a choice of a Great Plains which shoots patched round ball only 1-66 twist 32 inch barrel. Or you can buy a Great Plains Hunter in Flintlock with a 1-32 twist for bullets only with a 32 inch barrel. I have both and they both will shoot better than I can. Very accurate. Mine are both 54 caliber and they hit like a ton of bricks. I call my bullet shooter "Old Knock em Down" as it knocks the steel gong frame over at 100 meters with 90 grains of holy black and a 460 grain Great Plains Bullet, which I cast myself. I live in Northern B.C. Canada and I got the 54 for Moose, bear, elk, and our large mulies. If U are down in the lower 48 a 50 caliber will probably do ya good. I just like the extra power of the 54 it is every thing the 50 is just more of a good thing.
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- Location
- Golden Lake
If you are really interested in getting into black powder shooting first buy a copy of Sam Fadala's book " The Gun Digest Black Powder Loading Manual". The author covers everything you need to know about shooting black powder in muzzle loading rifles (both flintlock and percussion), pistols, revolvers and also black powder cartridge guns.
What is good also for a beginner is his detailed testing of most of the current types of firearms available.
As to where you can buy flintlocks - look up Cabelas, Ellwood Epps, Wholesale Sports. You can also import them with no problem from the US - see Track of the Wolf.
There's a Traditions .50 cal flintlock for sale on the EE right now.
What is good also for a beginner is his detailed testing of most of the current types of firearms available.
As to where you can buy flintlocks - look up Cabelas, Ellwood Epps, Wholesale Sports. You can also import them with no problem from the US - see Track of the Wolf.
There's a Traditions .50 cal flintlock for sale on the EE right now.
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Whatever you do avoid Armi Sport guns. The locks are crap.
I ended up buying a Lyman Great Plains Rifle in the .50Cal flinter version. It's a fantastic firearm. The lock is first class from tip to tip and the barrel is as good as the lock. It makes me look good when I'm only feeling fair....
There are likely other good ones out there. The trick seems to be to find one where the lock has a proper bridle plate so the hammer hook barrel is supported at two points. Too many side lock actions try to cheat and not use a second bearing point by skipping the bridle.
I ended up buying a Lyman Great Plains Rifle in the .50Cal flinter version. It's a fantastic firearm. The lock is first class from tip to tip and the barrel is as good as the lock. It makes me look good when I'm only feeling fair....
There are likely other good ones out there. The trick seems to be to find one where the lock has a proper bridle plate so the hammer hook barrel is supported at two points. Too many side lock actions try to cheat and not use a second bearing point by skipping the bridle.
