nwpahunter415
36 Cl.
Looking for my first flintlock! Any advice would be appreciated thank you!
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50 cal wanted!
- Thread starter nwpahunter415
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Quality, quality, and quality. Don’t go cheap just because you only have a couple hundred bucks lying around.
A good lock will solve a lot of headaches. Swamped barrels are a must. Make the butt style fits you personally (e.i. SMR’s butts do not fit my shoulders). Gun styles and lengths are all personal preference.
I’ll be the first one to suggest a Kibler
Mandatory pics when you get one or else you face forfeiture!!!
nwpahunter415
36 Cl.
Love the reply! I am a family man first and hunter second. If I could save the pennies and get the Kibler for my first I would but unfortunately the cards dealt is 300 dollars for my first primitive weapon. And build my arsenal from there. Thank you again for the advice because it is true you get what you buy. Can't wait to purchase my first one and maybe build a Kibler after that!
according to your budget. for a production gun, Lyman makes a good one. semi-custom by a builder, TVM is very good. for a more historic representation kibler would be better. my first flintlock was a Lyman GPR. in 50, it was as accurate and reliable as any custom gun! and it killed deer,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
nwpahunter415
36 Cl.
That's what I'm looking for! A deer dropper! Something I can take pride and enjoyment in taking to the woods with me. Simple flintlock, good powder, and decent balls and I'll be on the start to a new obsession!
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Every time this discussion comes up advice will be given to spend a lot of money for a quality firearm and there's certainly nothing wrong with that if the budget is there. It kind of bugs me that there is a certain mindset that if someone new to flintlocks starts out with a cheap gun they will have nothing but frustration and disappointment. There's going to be a learning curve regardless of what firearm you start with. Maybe that's less with a higher quality gun. I can't say having never owned anything but cheap flintlocks. They've all worked to my satisfaction.
A lot of guys might be like me and not willing or able to spend a lot at first especially when you don't know how well you'll like a flintlock. A year and a half ago I bought the first muzzleloader I ever owned. It was a $300 Traditions Deerhunter. I have not regretted that choice as it allowed me to get my feet wet without a big investment.
It just so happened that I found that I did like shooting these guns and now own 4 other flintlocks, make my own powder and cast my own lead balls. For the record none of my black powder guns are expensive high end models but I still enjoy them and shoot them a lot.
A lot of guys might be like me and not willing or able to spend a lot at first especially when you don't know how well you'll like a flintlock. A year and a half ago I bought the first muzzleloader I ever owned. It was a $300 Traditions Deerhunter. I have not regretted that choice as it allowed me to get my feet wet without a big investment.
It just so happened that I found that I did like shooting these guns and now own 4 other flintlocks, make my own powder and cast my own lead balls. For the record none of my black powder guns are expensive high end models but I still enjoy them and shoot them a lot.
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I'll be the second.Quality, quality, and quality. Don’t go cheap just because you only have a couple hundred bucks lying around.
A good lock will solve a lot of headaches. Swamped barrels are a must. Make the butt style fits you personally (e.i. SMR’s butts do not fit my shoulders). Gun styles and lengths are all personal preference.
I’ll be the first one to suggest a Kibler
Mandatory pics when you get one or else you face forfeiture!!!
Pete G
76 Cal.
Don’t cheap out. Buy what you’re going to end up with. I can’t afford cheap guns.
nwpahunter415
36 Cl.
I do wanna say I'm 26 years old and work for 12 dollars a hour stacking lumber like the good Ole boys. Been doing it since I was knee high to a grass hopper. I can't afford nice right now.
There is iron in your words.
I'd try to find a used Lyman Great Plains rifle (not the hunter model) that someone is willing to sell for a fair price and is in good shape. I never hear a bad word about them from those that use them.
It would be a good starting point and also be something you're not afraid to wrench on if something needs tweaked.
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If you have a muzzleloading club in your area try to attend a shoot or rendezvous locally. Usually there are traders and members with guns for sale. You may find someone willing to help a newbie out with a bargain price on a usable flintlock gun. Not only that, you would likely have a chance to handle and shoot it before you buy.
nwpahunter415
36 Cl.
It would be nice to find a club!
.50 CVA Hawkin Flinter available
nwpahunter415
36 Cl.
Link or info please
Honestly I would save up a little more and try and get a good quality firearm. T/C has a descent lock, some CVAs are hit and miss. I’ve not had great luck with traditions flintlocks.. but that’s just been my experience. It took me a few years of saving before I got my first custom flintlock, it was built by Mike Lange, it was nice for the money I spent on it. When you do get one, don’t be afraid to ask questions, that’s how we learn. Good Luck and let us know how ya do!
nwpahunter415
36 Cl.
Well everyone I did it! I purchased a Traditions Deer hunter flintlock. Brand new never shot right out the box. Any ball and powder combos would be appreciated!
Ben Meyer
40 Cal
For $300, your most bang for the buck would be something used, built by Investarms. That builder is in Europe, but they've built guns for many different companies. Lyman Great Plains Rifle=Investarms built. Cabelas Hawken=Investarms built. I have a Chatles Daly .50cal perc Hawken that I bought 4-5 yrs ago at a show for $210. It's been flawless and shoots accurately
Congrats on the new rig.
I would suggest getting a box of .490 balls and a few different thickness of cotton patches, .010, 015 and maybe 018. Get dry patches, home made lube, there's a million different recipes.
I would also try a box of the Hornady PA conicals. Those are pretty good bullets, I shoot them in a few of my guns.
For powder, real black is best in a flintlock. 3f is a good all round choice for main charge and for priming.
I'd say to start off with 50 grains by volume for a charge and work up from there until you find the most accurate load.
nwpahunter415
36 Cl.
Thank you for the advice! I do wanna mention we are not to mention those "pretty good bullets" here. Lol Also what's a good ramrod I do want to upgrade that.
