Hunting pistol

[northmn]

I will probably build a 45 or 50 flintlock pistol when I get around to it.  I kind of like one in a tree stand on an occasion when deer come out in the awkward side.  Likely would not try to hunt with just a pistol.  Anyone had any experience in that manner.  Also would kind of like one as a "finisher"  I did get a deer once with a cap and ball revolver. 

DP

[elk killer]

i have killed 2 mule deer with a .45 cal flintlock pistol
both had detachable shoulder stocks,,and both kills were
50 to 75 yards,,both neck shots,,and killed both with no 2nd shot needed

[Ben I. Voss]

Elk killer, how long were the barrels on your pistols and what kind of powder charges? Patched round ball, I assume?

[elk killer]

patched .440 round ball,, bear grease for lube
60 grs,fff in one pistol
and 65 fff in the other,,it was a few yrs apart when i got the
one barrel was actagon to round swamped 16 inches long and the other a straight
H&H 13/16th barrel 13 inches long

[beleg2]

elkkiller,
Thanks for sharing.
Did you measure velocity?
I would love to see pictures.

Thanks
Martin

[elk killer]

i have a pistol with a octagon to round swamped barrel thats 13 inches long
its in the process of being finshed
its .36 cal with a  1 in 22 twist
with a detachable stock
ill post or send you a pic of it
but i cant until tonight..
i didnt measure the velocity of the other 2 flintlocks
as i have no means to
but i figured if the round ball will go clear through a
4x4 solid oak post,,it will kill a deer and it sure did the job,,was fun too,,!!

[Ben I. Voss]

Thanks for the info, Elk killer. Why do we think we need so much more power than that to kill a deer, anyhow? Makes a person stop and think.

[FL-Flintlock]

My .54 flinter w/ tapered oct-rnd barrel 16" long 1:66 twist does good, 0.535" PRB & 75gr of 3F.

[elk killer]

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p40/pebsno12/002-6.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p40/pebsno12/001-6.jpg

here are 2 pics,,this is similier to the .45 cal that i shot the deer with..
this is .36 cal..i have made these up to .58 caliber..
this one is  a ash stock ,,with  a 13 1/2 inch pull .36 cal
13 inch barrel,, small Siler
should work well for this springs rock chuck hunt..!!!

[Daryl]

This one, a .54 with a 66" twist, loaded with 60gr. 3F, will shoot into 2 1/2" at 50 yards off the bags. It about duplicates my M29 S&W 4" .44 mag. for ball vs. bullet weight and velocity.  1,225fps with a 220gr. ball.  It is totally acceptable, power wise. Doesn't kick much, either, but does bark a bit.

[Dphariss]

This is a .530 ball and the bone it broke in killing a Mule Deer doe at 25 yards or so.

Note that the ball is flattened from both sides. I suspect the smoother side is from striking a rib after breaking the leg bone and then tumbling. The ball still tracked straight, took out the heart and lodged against the far side hide. Was fired from a piece of Green Mountain rifle barrel about 8" with the breech, prercussion. 70 grains of FFFG. It liked a lot of powder to shoot well.

I have shot completely through antelope at 25-30 yards with a 50 cal with a 5-6" barrel and 45 grains of FFFG.
Same pistol shot diagonally through a Mule Deer buck from the heavy shoulder muscles to the offside hide at the diaphragm.
Testing with baffle boards indicates that this pistol would penetrate about as well at 25 yards as a 50 caliber rifle would at 200.
A friend killed several deer with it after I sold it. He also head shot a cornered cow elk who charged him (yeah really) after a hunter he was guiding shot a leg off her and he chased her out onto a rimrock.
The standard length ML pistol say 8" +- is perfectly capable to about 50 yards if the user can shoot it well and does load development.

Dan

[northmn]

I have a sawed off 45 rifle barrel that I ahve been looking at for a pistol.  Had a chance to turn part of it round.  It should be a good candidate as I am only going to use it for deer and likely inside 25 yards.  About 9-10 inch barrel.  Been looking close at a Queen Anne lock or a small Siler ala Chambers.  Another "cheap" gun project as I can cut my own wood.

DP

[Dennis Glazener]

In Bob Plott's book "A History of Hunting in the Great Smoky Mountains" on page 55 there is a photo of a muzzleloading pistol that Montraville Plott used to kill 211 bears during his years of bear hunting. The book does not say but I believe I remember Bob telling me that it was a .40 caliber. The book does say that that Montraville's bear dogs were so well trained that they would hold the bear at bay while he approached the bear at close enough range to kill it with one shot! (probably too close for me!).
Dennis

[beleg2]

Thanks Elk killer.
Looks like a "pocket rifle".

One last question: How do you fix the stock?

Thanks again
Martin

[elk killer]

beleg2
it simply just has a screw attachment
im looking for a better arrangement
but have found nuthing that works well

[Dancy]

Those pistols would be fun to shoot, gotta try one some day!

Be sure and check your local laws about hunting with them though, I think they are illegal in NC.