I want a flintlock muzzleloader for deer. The synthetic/stainless TC Fire Storm really looks appealing. I plan on adding a Leuopold 3-9X40 or 2-7X33 scope to it. Can optics readily be mounted? What are your experiences with the Fire Storm. Are there any better options out there. Price really is not an issue. This muzzleloader is listed in the lower $400s. You advice is appreciated. Thanks.
TC Fire Storm
- Thread starter kennyboy
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.44walkersabot
member
A FLINTLOCK?..STAINLESS?..SYNTHETIC? With a damn Leuopold sniper scope on it? On a FLINTLOCK???
Did God really make such a creature? I thought all that sort of stuff was the 'modern' inlines, not one of them rock-lock flint chippers. Well, anyway...Okay... Oh, P.S. Merry Cristmas to you and all of yours Mr. Kennyboy...
Did God really make such a creature? I thought all that sort of stuff was the 'modern' inlines, not one of them rock-lock flint chippers. Well, anyway...Okay... Oh, P.S. Merry Cristmas to you and all of yours Mr. Kennyboy...
Wildfire
Member
I think so.
Hey there;
I had a T/C new englander. Pretty close to the same gun. The trigger guard is big and helps when using gloves. I'm trying to remember but pretty sure I had to have it drilled and tapped. That scope is going to get real black from the burn.
Hey there;
I had a T/C new englander. Pretty close to the same gun. The trigger guard is big and helps when using gloves. I'm trying to remember but pretty sure I had to have it drilled and tapped. That scope is going to get real black from the burn.
Pancho
Member
New flinters should, imho, burn a lot of powder before they add scopes.There is a lot to learn about shooting flint before you add the scope. Concentrate on the gun itself and become proficient at it first then if you wan't to reachout a little further you can put the scope on later.
The flintlocks and the sidelocks give the hunter great insight into what our forefathers did to bring protein to the table.
The flintlocks and the sidelocks give the hunter great insight into what our forefathers did to bring protein to the table.
arcticap
Member
After researching and reading about its innovative breech
design, I learned that the Firestorm has some advantages
as well as potential drawbacks.
The breech plug was designed so that a sidelock rifle that
could use pellets as well as loose powder. The rifle was made
in both #209 percussion and flintlock models with a 1 in 48"
twist barrel.
One drawback is that when pellets are used, they are not fully
seated in the breech, and it results in the potential for
poorly developed ignition which can hurt the flintlock's accuracy
and rapid ignition.
One way to combat that is to first load a base charge of loose
black powder fffg underneath the pellets, or to just entirely use
loose powder.
One person reportedly removed his Firestorm's breechplug and
turned the face of it flat on a lathe. He stated that the gun
went off better and also shot better groups afterward.
Another said that he owned a TC Firestorm for 5 years, and it
shot the 370 grain TC Maxiballs well but not the TC Maxihunters.
He also said that the 295 grain Powerbelt Aerotips shot well.
So it's not that the rifle shoots badly, it's just that for some,
it's capable of shooting better probably because of the breech design,
or its plastic stock [bedding], or both.
When another person mated his Firestorm lock with a GM
aftermarket barrel and a wood stock, he said that his "new"
rifle shot extremely accurately.
There's not many sidelocks or flintlocks that will shoot pellets,
but using pellets alone could very well hurt ignition and
accuracy. Otherwise the flintlock version can shoot reliably
and accurately with roundballs and Maxi's/conicals. The
removable breechplug and stainless steel barrel are other
pluses in its favor.
Here's a close up of how it's vent is set up from the factory:
design, I learned that the Firestorm has some advantages
as well as potential drawbacks.
The breech plug was designed so that a sidelock rifle that
could use pellets as well as loose powder. The rifle was made
in both #209 percussion and flintlock models with a 1 in 48"
twist barrel.
THE “FIRE STORM” POSITIVE IGNITION
The Fire Storm’s removable breech plug with the
“Pyrodex Pyramid” directs the ignition fire 360° around
the base of the pellet. As the pellets move forward,
the flame is drawn up through the center of
the pellets, creating a “fire storm” in the breech
for reliable ignition!
http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/mzModernFlint.php
One drawback is that when pellets are used, they are not fully
seated in the breech, and it results in the potential for
poorly developed ignition which can hurt the flintlock's accuracy
and rapid ignition.
One way to combat that is to first load a base charge of loose
black powder fffg underneath the pellets, or to just entirely use
loose powder.
One person reportedly removed his Firestorm's breechplug and
turned the face of it flat on a lathe. He stated that the gun
went off better and also shot better groups afterward.
Another said that he owned a TC Firestorm for 5 years, and it
shot the 370 grain TC Maxiballs well but not the TC Maxihunters.
He also said that the 295 grain Powerbelt Aerotips shot well.
So it's not that the rifle shoots badly, it's just that for some,
it's capable of shooting better probably because of the breech design,
or its plastic stock [bedding], or both.
When another person mated his Firestorm lock with a GM
aftermarket barrel and a wood stock, he said that his "new"
rifle shot extremely accurately.
There's not many sidelocks or flintlocks that will shoot pellets,
but using pellets alone could very well hurt ignition and
accuracy. Otherwise the flintlock version can shoot reliably
and accurately with roundballs and Maxi's/conicals. The
removable breechplug and stainless steel barrel are other
pluses in its favor.
Here's a close up of how it's vent is set up from the factory:
Last edited:
nicholst55
Member
My limited understanding of BP substitute pellets is that they're inherently more difficult to ignite than loose 'powder' charges (of the same product) are to begin with. Pyrodex pellets have a BP coating on one side to compensate for this - the BP ignites relatively easily and then ignites the Pyrodex pellet.
Kind of a trade-off there, I'd think - 'let's see, I'm using a BP substitute that needs a small amount of BP to ignite it, and is as dirty and corrosive as real BP anyway.' But that's just Pyrodex - Triple 7 is somewhat easier to ignite, but still not recommended for a conventional flintlock.
The Firestorm is an interesting idea, but sales were obviously slow or else T/C would still manufacture it. I don't know if the concept just never caught on, or if it just didn't work out.
Kind of a trade-off there, I'd think - 'let's see, I'm using a BP substitute that needs a small amount of BP to ignite it, and is as dirty and corrosive as real BP anyway.' But that's just Pyrodex - Triple 7 is somewhat easier to ignite, but still not recommended for a conventional flintlock.
The Firestorm is an interesting idea, but sales were obviously slow or else T/C would still manufacture it. I don't know if the concept just never caught on, or if it just didn't work out.
I have one in stainless.
The fiber optic sights are sweet for low light shooting, especially with snow on.
This gun is best used with real black powder.
I've never had much luck with pyrodex pellets.
It is also easy to clean with the removable breech plug.
All in all a nice gun.
I don't think you can mount optics to it but I would contact T/C about that.
Edit to add: You should have no trouble shooting quality muzzeloading bullets out of it including round balls.
The fiber optic sights are sweet for low light shooting, especially with snow on.
This gun is best used with real black powder.
I've never had much luck with pyrodex pellets.
It is also easy to clean with the removable breech plug.
All in all a nice gun.
I don't think you can mount optics to it but I would contact T/C about that.
Edit to add: You should have no trouble shooting quality muzzeloading bullets out of it including round balls.
arcticap
Member
I am not recommending anything, but I did come across this unique, but similar flintlock to the Firestorm made by RMC.
There's some video at the bottom of the home page, and it seems to have a lot of barrel/trigger options and modern features.
It's jusy something for you to look at:
Click on "RMC Blackpowder Flintlock Rifles" in the left hand column for the complete option listings.
http://rmcsports.com/catalog.htm
The other flintlock suggestions would be the same ones found here:
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=326978
There's some video at the bottom of the home page, and it seems to have a lot of barrel/trigger options and modern features.
It's jusy something for you to look at:
Click on "RMC Blackpowder Flintlock Rifles" in the left hand column for the complete option listings.
http://rmcsports.com/catalog.htm
The other flintlock suggestions would be the same ones found here:
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=326978
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