First Flintlock?

[Bill of the 45th]

TO, Daryl's correct in that your Flint gun should be almost as fast as a cussin gun, to the point the you can't tell the difference.  If it's noticeably slower then something's wrong.  As I mentioned a powder fuse-powder running from the pan, thru the touch hole and up against the charge.  This is sometimes called a hangfire if real slow.  You want your charge in the gun, and prime in the pan , but nothing in the touch hole, as the flash is what sets off the charge.  Also your touch hole may be too small, I like a 1/16' hole, and even some times enlarge my white lightening's to that size.  Touch hole location also effects the speed, a proper one should be near the top of the pan with the top of the hole just at a line that would be drawn across the top of the pan.  We know you are hooked, we just want to make sure the hook is set well.   Don't want to lose a fish once we got him hooked.

Bill

[Candle Snuffer]

I wouldn't worry to much on what to do with your caplock rifles, T.O.

I'm shooting only flintlocks these days but I'll still hang onto my caplock rifles.  I
seldom shoot them as I just don't get the enjoyment out of them like I do my flintlocks.  With this said, I won't part with my caplocks as they have given me plenty of pleasure in the past.  

Naturally it is up to you to do with your caplocks as you will, but I wouldn't rush into a hasty decision.

[digger]

Once I started shooting flinters, there was no turning back. The only percussion guns I have now are my wife's, and I have a really nice .50 plains pistol that's a percussion. Flint is super cool!

[northmn]

When you knap a flint because the gun don't go bang, DO NOT check the spark with the gun  held flat.  Amazing how a gun can misfire with priming powder and go off and spit in your face without it.  Had some tattos from that for a while.

DP

[Standing Bear]

I have a .50 per-suction that I really like but am thinking of having the paten breech and snail replaced.  Hmmmm can you cut off the snail and drill and tap the barrel? 

TC

[Roger Fisher]

I actually got one of those nice little plunger type priming horns and used that.  The first time I shot it I was using a little glass maple syrup  bottle from Cracker Barrel.  ( I was tried not to fill it up, but sometimes i spilled too much)  . I did  prime with much less powder using the priming horn, and my accuracy was improved.

 I actually went out and shot one of my caplocks  just before it go dark, I needed to check a new front sight out.  well I could not believe how fast the gun went off after shooting flint.  I do see a purpose for both.  But I am officially a  flint nut. 

Re: That plunger type primer keep in mind that after quite some use you will notice that the plunger gets fouled/gummed and sticks open (losing the black stuff)
Then unscrew the top (watch out for that coil spring so you don't lose that thingee)
clean the plunger and reinstall saves you some frustration..

[Daryl]

I have a .50 per-suction that I really like but am thinking of having the paten breech and snail replaced.  Hmmmm can you cut off the snail and drill and tap the barrel? 

TC

Most good breechs have an angled flash channel which would make that impossible. Too- the dish at the nipple seat runs over into what would be the side of the barrel if the 'snail' was cut off. It wouldn't be straight octagonal and would have a dish cut form the top-right flat.

[Standing Bear]

Was pretty sure it was a no go but just have to dream.

Thanks Daryl.

TC