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Flint to percusion

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I am contemplating " improving " my flint 62 smoothy to a cap lock. Just can't seem to get too excited with the click/boom romance and the corresponding err in accuracy.

Dosnt seem like too much work to me and pretty straight forward.

I am planning on purchasing a cap hammer and a nipple drum to do the conversion.

A whole cap lock if there is reason the hammer/drum won't work for some reason.

Anybody done this before in modern times? Many have gone the other way from cap to flint so can't see the huge difficulty.
 
Hi,
In many cases it is relatively easy to convert from flint to cap.
Before you drill out the flash hole.
Get a drum that matches well the pan area, carefully grind out the pan continually making sure the new drum fits perfectly to the lock.
Some locks have a flash guard that fits just below the flint hammer, if you can keep this, it looks well as a transition piece, so don't cut it away unless you have to.
Remove the frizzen spring, plug the spring screw hole.
You may have to heat and bend the hammer to meet the nipple well.
I would not use a drum that already has the nipple hole drilled and tapped. Using a drum that is not pre-drilled and tapped is much easier to align to the hammer.
If done well, it represents a transition gun that is often seen where so many guns were converted to percussion from flint.
You must be careful NOT to do a hack job.
Good luck and please tell us how you are doing.
Remember the old carpenter's saying " Measure twenty times, and cut once "
Best regards!
Fred
 
I think it would be better to sell the flint and get a cap gun. If you have personal reasons to keep it that is a different story. :)
 
Been there, done that. It was simple for me but I am mechanically minded, not sure on yourself. Follow the directions above and enjoy!
Critical about keeping the pan and working it to fit perfectly around the drum as this becomes a support with the continual blow from the hammer strikes.
 
"Critical about keeping the pan and working it to fit perfectly around the drum as this becomes a support with the continual blow from the hammer strikes."

EXACTLY. :thumbsup: That drum cannot just hang out in space off the side of the barrel. You must establish solid support with the lock plate or whatever you have there to work with.
 
I have never shot a percussion rifle and wouldn't want one either. I also feel that they are every bit as accurate as a percussion once a flint is shot enough. I don't notice any flash or anything else different than a centerfire. I have taken a whole lot of shots with a flint rifle in the 50 years I have been doing it. Patch ball rules.

I have posted this before but the subconscious mind has to be convinced that the flash will not hurt you and once enough shots have been taken it won't be an issue.
 
Convert to percussion???

That's crazy! All the old timers here shoot flint and will tell you how much better flint is than percussion. You can't have fun with a cap gun, they take no skill at all to shoot! TRUE muzzleloaders use the superior flintlock of course!

If percussion was better than flint, our ancestors would have converted their flintlocks to percussion by the thousands and adopted percussion arms as standard... oh wait. :shocked2:
 
Sounds more like bad lock, or improper setup. If my flintlock went click/boom, I'd change it too. My large Siler lock is fast.

There is a learning curve, with a flintlock. Flints that are parallel on top and bottom. Flints that are sharp and properly set in leather. Learning to get over the flash. Holding a good follow-thru. Many elements, involved.

However, if you really want a cap lock. I would find a drum that would fit the touch hole. Then I would buy a builders lock, if they are available for your rifle. A builders lock, has a rectangle plate, that you can trace your existing plate, for the correct fit.

I have a cap lock rifle and had thoughts of converting to flint. TOW sells a builder lock, that could be cut to match my existing lock plate.

I guess it would depend on whether or not a builders lock is available to match your existing lock. I still would imagine that the hammer, would require some bending to get the proper hit on the nipple. A lot of work.....indeed.
 
Yes i agree with the premis that sumting be wong.

I am going to get the flintlock to work like i see and hear on you tube and reading others experience. THEN if still not happy i will do the conversion to cap lock.

Just cant let this whup me so will see the flinter thru first.
 
Nothing wrong with wanting a percussion gun if that's what you want. I flint rifle can be mastered but like I said earlier you will need to shoot it a good bit before it becomes natural. I do believe you will be a better marksman with any rifle type once you master the flint rifle. It teaches you to hold thru the shot retaining your focus much longer.

I have beat the pants off scoped center fire shooters at 100 yard targets from the bench with my .50 GM drop in flint barrel when there is little wind on the range. One guy say's I have a bionic eye and I tell him I don't but I do have a GM .50 ball barrel.
 
So, not to be mean, but if you only beating centerfire guys when there is no wind, go practice more! I agree Green Mountian barrels are very good.

Michael
 
Just realized that it was a smoothie. I have no experience shooting round ball out of a smooth bore, so don't know what the accuracy expectations are.

I have a .62 smooth bore, but it is choked, so I've never tried anything other that shot.
 
Wind gusts are a big factor and very hard to judge consistently. There no way that the majority of them would stand a chance against me with my centerfires though. These guys are deer hunters sighting in for deer season and a 5" group is good enough for them. The ball gun will do less than 2" from the bench. I don't consider it boasting but stating it to show what a flint rifle with a good barrel and load can do. I am sure other shooters could best me many times.

I only shoot flint and the GM .50 1/70 is the only GM ball twist I own. I have a .54 drop in that I am getting converted to flint and hope it does as well. We shall see.
 
Hi,
Shooting 2 in groups at 100 yards is not good shooting, that is GREAT shooting, my point not very well made is good groups can be shot in windy condition, you have to be patient.
Shooting better groups than centerfire guys is fun, One reason is we muzzloader shooters just shoot more and know our rifles better.
Michael
 
You are correct. I shoot more open sights now, than I did when I was young. To keep your eyesight sharp, at my age, it is necessary to shoot often.

I am also, particular with the sights and will change any sight that does not give me the sight picture, that I want.
 
Well, I will tell you this; if your flint rifle is going "Click Boom" It is in need of a serious tune up. In a well designed flintlock, ignition is pretty much Instantaneous. I never hear the flint strike on any of mine.
 
 
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