jstevens03
Member
I am looking to get into muzzleloader's and am looking for advise. Flintlock is was interests me most. The brand that was recommended so far was David Pedersoli. Any others? Any recommended readings?
Jeff
Jeff
Muzzleloader's
- Thread starter jstevens03
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Rifles? Pistols? Revolvers? Shotguns? 'Muzzleloaders" covers a lot of territory.
First of all, the wrong way to get started in muzzleloading is to start with a flintlock. They are wonderful fun - I enjoy my flintlocks more than almost any other guns, but they're not for learning with. I'd highly recommend you start with percussion caplocks first; once the art of black powder is familiar then step into flintlocks; they have their own idiosyncrasies and can frustrate a new user to no end if you try to tackle learning flints and black powder all together.
Pedersoli is an excellent brand. Pricey, but excellent quality That's not to say they don't produce the occasional lemon, but on the whole they're highly thought of. Others are Lyman and Thompson Center. And that doesn't cover any of the myriad of custom built guns that are individual works of art on their own right. Traditions is an entry level brand known for both quality and good customer service. Not on a par with Lyman/Thompson Center/Pedersoli, but a good product nonetheless.
Reading: Lyman Black Powder Handbook to start.
First of all, the wrong way to get started in muzzleloading is to start with a flintlock. They are wonderful fun - I enjoy my flintlocks more than almost any other guns, but they're not for learning with. I'd highly recommend you start with percussion caplocks first; once the art of black powder is familiar then step into flintlocks; they have their own idiosyncrasies and can frustrate a new user to no end if you try to tackle learning flints and black powder all together.
Pedersoli is an excellent brand. Pricey, but excellent quality That's not to say they don't produce the occasional lemon, but on the whole they're highly thought of. Others are Lyman and Thompson Center. And that doesn't cover any of the myriad of custom built guns that are individual works of art on their own right. Traditions is an entry level brand known for both quality and good customer service. Not on a par with Lyman/Thompson Center/Pedersoli, but a good product nonetheless.
Reading: Lyman Black Powder Handbook to start.
Cosmoline
Member
I disagree, I think it's much easier to learn on a simple flinter like a trade gun. Caplocks, esp. from Pedersoli, have given me a lot of FTF's. With a simple flintlock it's incredibly easy to see how everything is working. There's nothing hidden, just a hole in the side of the barrel. As long as you use true black powder and keep your rock fresh it will go boom.
Acorn Mush
Member
+1 to what Mykeal said. Learn the basics with a caplock first then regress, technologically, to the flintlock. It probably won't be a long process and you'll have a dandy excuse to purchase another firearm.
arcticap
Member
The earlier production Thompson Center flintlocks are known to be very hard on flints wearing them out quickly.
They had a short hammer and poor lock geometry so TC redesigned it which vastly improved it. The newer hammer design is available as an upgrade which fits all of their older flintlocks.
About the Pedersoli flint locks, rusty from italy mentioned to select their larger flint lock of the Hawken and Frontier because it performs better. He said to stay away from the smaller pistol sized lock of their Kentucky and medium size Pennsylvania lock.
rusty's excerpts are below:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=282100&highlight=pedersoli+flintlock
They had a short hammer and poor lock geometry so TC redesigned it which vastly improved it. The newer hammer design is available as an upgrade which fits all of their older flintlocks.
About the Pedersoli flint locks, rusty from italy mentioned to select their larger flint lock of the Hawken and Frontier because it performs better. He said to stay away from the smaller pistol sized lock of their Kentucky and medium size Pennsylvania lock.
rusty's excerpts are below:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=282100&highlight=pedersoli+flintlock
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flintlock62
Member
I'll have to agree with the others. Start with a cap lock and then progress to a flintlock, unless you have an experienced friend to guide you through. Flintlocks are the best, but it does take a learning curve on how to load, set the flint, prime the pan and such. After you learn, I think you will enjoy a flinter more than any other rifle. That's how I feel anyway.
rusty from italy
Member
I see Articap keep my old advice on pedersoli lock, i don't change a world i write some years ago, but honestly after a tuning of the small Kentucky lock i have obtened good result with it too.
With a dremel tool i have enlarged and lowered the pan, and polished to mirror bright all the area, working on tumber i have increased the rotation angle of the hammer and now the flint is more near the pan at the end of his travel.
One problem that is not possible to fix is the half cock position, in half cock the frizzen touch the flint and don't let to close the pan, this with new flint, with flint shortened by use there isn't the problem
Unfortunately track of the Wolf doesn't have replacement lock with improved geometry for this Pedersoli rifle
Ciao
Rusty
With a dremel tool i have enlarged and lowered the pan, and polished to mirror bright all the area, working on tumber i have increased the rotation angle of the hammer and now the flint is more near the pan at the end of his travel.
One problem that is not possible to fix is the half cock position, in half cock the frizzen touch the flint and don't let to close the pan, this with new flint, with flint shortened by use there isn't the problem
Unfortunately track of the Wolf doesn't have replacement lock with improved geometry for this Pedersoli rifle
Ciao
Rusty
Loyalist Dave
Member
IF you have a person to show you some of the quirks of a flintlock, you should have no problems. If not, you might still start with one, but you may get frustrated, or you could ask questions here, or on a purely muzzle loader forum. Shooting targets is one level, going the full route and hunting in the field can be a bit more complex due to weather concerns. There are a few less variables to correct with a caplock to be sure..., but that doesn't mean you won't have problems.
Pedersoli does make some accurate firearms, though for the current prices, I'd consider Lyman, or spend a bit more and get a semi-custom gun, such as a TVM or Cabin Creek.
LD
Pedersoli does make some accurate firearms, though for the current prices, I'd consider Lyman, or spend a bit more and get a semi-custom gun, such as a TVM or Cabin Creek.
LD
CAMPBELL49T
Member
You are all right with the cap lock. That is what i started with. Good friend of mine has a flint. It is very hard to get use to the spark so close to your face. May I make a suggestion. If you buy a Pedersoli percussion that is good. I have two of their long rifles. I like them better then my TC or CVA. The good thing for me is, I'm buying a flint. But it is not a rifle it is just the lock. It will change one of the Pedersoli to flint. Now I don't know about all of the different rifles the have. I do know you can just change locks and touch hole. Then if I want I can change back. You can do this on their Dixie Cub. Mine are a Kentucky and Pennsylvania 45 long rifle. I'm buying the flint lock it will work in either rifle. This a cheap way to shoot both. As far as interchangeable
locks go, somebody on THR will know more a bout the different rifles.
Jeff welcome to the smoke pole community.
Another way I'm getting use to flint........CVA 45 flint pistol.
locks go, somebody on THR will know more a bout the different rifles.
Jeff welcome to the smoke pole community.
Another way I'm getting use to flint........CVA 45 flint pistol.
Cosmoline
Member
This is my first flinter, a 12 ga trade gun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2sZ0NBA3-g
I've shot hundreds of different firearms thousands of times, but the flintlock is the most fun I've ever had. Bar none. It's real alchemy, with a "paafff" and a boom, smoke and fire. The caplocks are great, but they're not as awesome.
I think a lot of people are just a little bit intimidated by flintlocks, but there's no need to be. For all the flash of fire you face a lot more shrapnel danger from your caplock or an out-of-time revolver than from a flinter. I've found the flash from the pan to be warming on a cold day. It doesn't bash into your face like blowback from a high pressure smokeless gun. Just wear the usual eye protection and you'll be fine.
As far as the weather, with a few precautions such as the cow's knee and a nicely built lock they'll function as well or better than caplocks in the rain. You can always visually see what's happening with your flinter. It's all right there. Any problems that arise are easy to fix with a pick and a brush. This action served well for over two centuries at everything from world wars to remote frontier hunting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2sZ0NBA3-g
I've shot hundreds of different firearms thousands of times, but the flintlock is the most fun I've ever had. Bar none. It's real alchemy, with a "paafff" and a boom, smoke and fire. The caplocks are great, but they're not as awesome.
I think a lot of people are just a little bit intimidated by flintlocks, but there's no need to be. For all the flash of fire you face a lot more shrapnel danger from your caplock or an out-of-time revolver than from a flinter. I've found the flash from the pan to be warming on a cold day. It doesn't bash into your face like blowback from a high pressure smokeless gun. Just wear the usual eye protection and you'll be fine.
As far as the weather, with a few precautions such as the cow's knee and a nicely built lock they'll function as well or better than caplocks in the rain. You can always visually see what's happening with your flinter. It's all right there. Any problems that arise are easy to fix with a pick and a brush. This action served well for over two centuries at everything from world wars to remote frontier hunting.
arcticap
Member
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zimmerstutzen
Member
If a person is going to buy a production gun, starting with a percussion is wise. However, a well tuned flintlock is a joy beyong belief. Yes certainly flinters can be a source of extreme frustration. However, like anything else. A good tool makes the job easier. Same for flinters. A proper L&R flintlock on a good gun is little different from shooting a percussion gun. A POS cheap flint gun is a bad choice all round. A cheap percussion gun is not subject to the same variables as a flinter.
CAMPBELL49T
Member
Arcticap, Being on the verge of changing one of my Pedersoli's to flint which I'm looking forward to. The Chuck Hawks site I book marked. It will be helpful in my change over. In the article there are things in there. That the guys in my club,that shoot flintlocks don't know. We have discussed it many times. Them trying to get me to convert. But, never mentioned most of the important things. That Chuck does in the article. That is why some of them have miss fires. Or change flints after 20 shots or so.
Thanks Tom
Thanks Tom
frontiergander
Member
percussion or flint - Lyman brand
CAMPBELL49T
Member
Hello frontiergander, It has been awhile how are you doing? Well I would do that if I had a Lynan. But I don't have one.....so I guess I will have to use my Pedersoli. Still don't have one, when getter I done. I will post before and flash pan.
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