Rainy day flintlocks

[Turtle]

 A lock with a "rainproof" pan design helps also.It helps keep water from running id around the edges of the pan. One thing I don't like about the Chambers Ketland is that it doesn't have one. I filed a small ridge into the pan  helps, but he locks with a pan which stands separate with nothing underneath work best.

[Bbell]

Was thinking about this yesterday. Went quail hunting with a buddy and it started raining as soon as we left the truck. First shot was fired about 30min into the hunt and fired without a hitch, other than me not following through and missing. Reloaded and from there had a miss fire and then the pan was soup the rest of the time. It ended up getting to the main charge because I couldn’t shoot it out no matter how much I wiped out the pan.

Reading through this sounds like if I am doing that kind of hunting in the rain I should probably clean  by wiping down between shots. I also need more than a cotton patch to wipe the pan out. Seemed like there was gunk under the flash hole that I could quite get to with the patch. Plus some wax or grease around pan. Any thing else I should try for when having to hunt in the rain?

I also learned it’s hard hunting with flushing dogs and flintlocks. Need to find a buddy with a pointer. :-)

[Flint62Smoothie]

Yes, I’d wile the pan between firings and then would probably use 3Fg powdah as prime. I can’t bring myself to try that ‘dry fletch’ that someone else mentioned previously.

[Brokennock]

Bbell, stashed throughout various pouches and pockets, I keep a bunch of the alcohol prep wipes in the little foil packets that was use at my hospital job, these are great for wiping the pan before priming and after firing. I also use it to wipe clean the metal "pick" I leave the touch hole plugged with while I load.

[Bbell]

I keep meaning to grab some of those alcohol wipes. Thanks guys. I will try all the stuff mentioned and see how it goes next time.

[Darkhorse]

Your photo shows the barrel pointing up. Don't do that ....

Uhhhh .... that was for the picture only, in-betweenst the rain ...    , but thanks for the reminder.

Actually I was referring to the photo in the original post, but the same advice can apply to anyone shooting a flintlock.
A good frizzen to pan fit helps a lot also, plus it keeps the prime in the pan where it's supposed to be. With the lock out of the gun close the friz and hold it to a light and you can see light between them. You can't file the friz but you can file the top of the pan area. I use a flat file, a flat diamond knife sharpener and blocked sandpaper. Put some transfer on the bottom of the pan and close it, when you open it you will see dark spots which are your high spots. Be patient and keep at it and in a while there will be little to no light shineing through.

[hanshi]

Just an observation on my part, but since it's fouling that gets soupy it's irrelevant what one primes with.  And in my dotage I stay at home if it's raining when I get up.  That means the only way I get wet is if it comes a downpour after I find myself already in the bush.

[OldMtnMan]

I've mentioned this before. In our mountains, the storms blow by pretty fast. If it starts raining I find a tree with thick branches and sit under it until the storm blows past.

If it's snow I keep hunting and keep the gun tucked under my arm. I love hunting when it's snowing.

[Bbell]

Living in the Pacific Northwest if I try to wait out the rain the season could be over before I could get out again.  seriously though this time we were trying to squeeze in a hunt before a storm system moved in.

[Lobo]

In wet weather I keep my lock area covered, the expression, "Keep yer powder dry" is suggested for a reason.

[Flint62Smoothie]

BEST muzzleloading photo of the year! Makes me feel like I’m right there out in the woods with ye.

Merry Christmas to all!

[OldMtnMan]

Santa deer hunting.

[Lobo]

Santa shoots a flintlock.   

[OldMtnMan]

No gloves. You're a tough old mountain man Ron. Good for you.

[Craig Wilcox]

Never hunted - yet - in the rain with a flint lock.  Percussion and unmentionables, yes.
Learned while I was a lad with my grand pa - put a balloon over the end of the barrel.  Even a piece of tape.  The air pushed by the ball/bullet will make a hole in it, no effect on accuracy.

I will take to heart the mentions of sealing the pan and using a cow's knee.

Love VALUABLE free advice!