Newbie to Flintlock

New to flintlock but considering getting into it for some fun on wheeler’s 2 week season in January. I’ve had some conversation with a few guys about what I’ll need but y’all school me. Looking for rifle recommendations, pellet, powder, flint, ball, you name it recommendations. Bear minimum to get hunting is what I’m looking for. Don’t leave out what I’ll need for cleaning and taking care of it either! Thanks in advance.

Look up THE Muzzleloading forum on the web all the info you need is already on their

What’s the fun in that

I thought you wanted to learn something but I see you dont want to put any effort into it so just learn the best you can

Why do you think there is a sub forum for muzzleloading on here if it ain’t to talk about it? I don’t mind putting in a little work, but at this point I’m just casually looking into it so a little conversation from some folks that are already doing it is one way I plan on learning. Thanks for the suggestion I may check out that forum but I don’t want to fool with making another account.

Anyone here shoot the Traditions PA pellet rifle? It was recommended to me.

Whatever you do, do not (and I mean DO NOT) drill and tap a flintlock barrel on any rifle or smoothbore for a scope. If people only knew how idiotic that looks.

I can handle that one lol

I’m looking at that same rifle myself due to the removeable breech plug.

My suggestion would be a thompson center hawken or renegade. There are usually several on gunbroker at any given time.

https://muzzle-loaders.com
They have a traditional line up for sales, but the availability for any given model has been spotty since the Covid shutdown.

It was recommended to me because you can use pellet for the barrel powder. What’s a removable breech plug do?

I tried to point you to a place with people that live and breath flintlocks you do not have to open a account to view the information If you want to learn you should listen to all the people you can . A sub forum will never give you as much info as you will get from the other place but that is up to you to choose I am finished with this thread

Ok thanks

IMO a pellet shooting flintlock is a gimmick. You still have to prime the pellet charge with blackpowder to make sure the pellets ignite!

Ahh I didn’t know that. So you haven’t good experience with the pellets? Someone else told me they didn’t trust the pellets.

Pellets to the best of my limited knowledge are for in-line muzzle loaders only. For a flinter you need real black powder in fine grains for the pan and coarser for the charge. Mostly are twist rates for patch and ball shooting or minnie balls. Very traditional shooting. I’m a cap and ball shooter mostly and just getting into in-line again. But never been a flinter.

What kind of equipment do you have already or are you starting from scratch. To get shooting you need the following

- Flintlock of your choice with a good ramrod (scribe a line once you've developed your load and have it fully seated--helps prevent double charging)
- A few flints
- Leather cladding to help hold flint in place - I wouldn't recommend lead cladding unless it's a really stout lock.
- Powder Horn
- Powder - main charge and prime
- 50 count lead balls or projectile of your choice
- Ticking for patches
- Mink oil for patch lube
- Ball starter
- Cleaning materials - ball puller, cleaning jag, corkscrew, bore brush, flint tool
- A handy bag you can throw over your shoulder

I’m starting from scratch.

Would this kit be worth it for $50? Comes with bullets, cleaning stuff, bullet starter, patches, cleaning patches, measure stuff, etc

Yes

Looks like most of it would be helpful. Not sure about the sabot bullets, but I sure as hell shot the shucks out of them in my Remington700ML, I've just always shot round balls out of my flintlock.

Also, sent you a PM

I do not have a good rifle recommendation but here are my thoughts:

Use black powder and black powder only if you are going to be using a flint lock. Use 2F for the main charge (start with 65gr-70gr) and a patched round ball that's the right size for your bore size. You can use 2F in the pan, but 4F is generally recommended to get a little bit better ignition. Do not use a black powder substitute in the pan. It does not burn quickly in open air.

For cleaning, my personal favorite is warm, soapy water. The powder dissolves nicely and cleans right up. Once dry, lightly oil everything. Also, you definitely need to clean your rifle the same day that you shoot with black powder. The combustion byproducts are very corrosive.

I just watched a solid break down cleaning video with hot soapy water. It seems easy enough. That’s what every one has warned me about, so I will definitely make sure I clean it well and consistently. Thanks for the tips! What oil do you wipe your gun down with?

I always wipe down outside and season the bore with a patch saturated with bore butter

I have used ballistol and a couple of different gun oils. It doesn’t seem to matter too much as long as you oil it and wipe it down to get rid of any excess.

X2 Ballistol on the outside.. also use Barricade in the barrel.

When I clean mine and use water, I boil it and it heats the barrel up and dries up moisture that could be left in a small groove or space.

Note: mine is not a flint lock but I would think the cleaning is similar

Gcr003 did you find one? I’ve got a 45 Kentucky rifle flintlock ,probably had near 35 years. Killed a few on refuge. I don’t go as often, I would let it go if you are interested

I have the traditions deer hunter to hunt wheeler with shoots great shooting round balls you can buy the whole kit aswell