I'm going to get a flintlock but what Caliber?

If you plan to hunt with it, you may want to check state regulations. I think PA allows deer hunting with 38 and larger and small game with 40 cal and smaller, so 40 could cover both in one gun. Getting 40 cal bullets may be challenging in stores, but you could probably cast your own, if you want to do so.

I favor the .36 but the .40 can achieve blistering velocities, if that matters to you. In my .40 60 grains of 3F spit out the ball at 2150 fps (+ or - a smidgen).

I have two 54 caliber Lyman GPR but I want a Trade gun 62 caliber I will use it as my shotgun.

rrebuck said:

If you plan to hunt with it, you may want to check state regulations. I think PA allows deer hunting with 38 and larger and small game with 40 cal and smaller, so 40 could cover both in one gun. Getting 40 cal bullets may be challenging in stores, but you could probably cast your own, if you want to do so.

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Nah,youre incorrect. Pa legal diameter for deer is .44 caliber or larger, not .38.

Looks like a .40 will work here.


Arkansas Muzzleloader
To be used for deer hunting, muzzleloading rifles must have a barrel 18 inches or longer and be .40 caliber or larger. Magnifying sights may be used. The use of shot is not legal. Legal muzzleloaders use flint, percussion cap, primer or electronic pulse, must have the bullet loaded through the muzzle and are not capable of firing a cartridge.

Hunters may use muzzleloading handguns with:

• barrels 9 inches or longer
• .45 caliber or larger if they shoot conical bullets (200 grains or heavier), or
• .530 caliber or larger if they shoot round balls.

A hunter may carry a muzzleloading handgun of any caliber as backup to a muzzleloading rifle.

rrebuck said:

If you plan to hunt with it, you may want to check state regulations. I think PA allows deer hunting with 38 and larger and small game with 40 cal and smaller, so 40 could cover both in one gun. Getting 40 cal bullets may be challenging in stores, but you could probably cast your own, if you want to do so.

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Almost can't go wrong with a .45!

Sidney Smith said:

Nah,youre incorrect. Pa legal diameter for deer is .44 caliber or larger, not .38.

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That's correct; NOT .38.

Just another opinion....
I would purchase a 50 caliber, only because you already have all the equipment necessary to use the new gun. No more hunting for ball moulds, jags, etc to get started. Its easier to find accessories for a 50 caliber too. I personally like keeping my shooting simple.

I have 5 BP factory guns...4 of them are 50 calibers. The other one is a 62 caliber smoothbore. I use one pouch to shoot any of the 50 calibers I wish and the other pouch is only used on the 62 caliber.

It keeps things simple for me.

Really do appreciate all the responses everyone has posted. It’s been must helpful. But I should clear things up.

I want a Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle kit for my first flintlock. They come in .32, .36, .40 and .45. I wanted either a .36, .40 or .45, at first I thought I’d like a .45 but after reading and thinking on it I started to lean toward the .36 because I will NOT be hunting with it, at least not deer. But after posting this thread I’m leaning toward the .40. I only shoot at paper or hanging steel at our private range. But if I decide to hunt larger animals like whitetail I have my two Hawken style rifles in .50cal.

Yes it will mean I’ll need to buy another shooter’s bag and maybe another powder horn but heck nothing wrong with a little more input to the economy.

BPMS love your youtube channel it has been most helpful.

oncewas said:

My son-in-law recommended this.

Original British Royal Navy Nock Seven Barrel Flintlock Volley Gun Circa 1780 in Magnificent Condition Original Items

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I remember that from ‘the Alamo” with John Wayne. I wonder what the spread was.
I’ve heard’ bring down rigging,’ but lines weren’t too close together and a ball won’t sever a too big a line
At close range in to a crowd it might do but at ten yards one ball kills and the other six just makes messy?
I’d like to shoot one .... once

When I started shooting BP, I had a .40 rifle and then added a .45. I liked both calibers. The latter was stolen and some fellow club members talked me into getting a .50. No, I don’t hunt, either. The .50 was far heavier for me and I wished I had stayed with a .45 cal., but .50 and .54’s seem to dominate among the club, with an occasional exception of smaller calibers for flinters. I came across a left handed flint in .50 and as already mentioned, having the same caliber as my regular gun is OK.

I have two .54 caliber flintlocks that get used on deer hunts. I prefer a heavier ball to ensure a knockdown. I have a .50 caliber percussion gun that doesnt get used much anymore. I used to toss maxi balls at deer with it. I have a .62 caliber smoothbore that strictly gets used as a shotgun. My most recent build was a .32 caliber squirrel gun. Have only had this gun to the range once so far but I really like it.

If youre just going to punch paper then one caliber might suffice. But if you ever want to hunt with your firearm, then several different calibers are in order.

Blake Marsters said:

I have two 54 caliber Lyman GPR but I want a Trade gun 62 caliber I will use it as my shotgun.

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Pedersoli makes a beautiful 62/20 gauge trade rifle.

40

The % increase in ball weight from .40 cal, to .45 to .50 Is virtually identical.
38-39%

I would start with a 50 cal. pretty much a go too cal. items you will need especially the balls are pretty easy too find. Now for the disclaimer this will not be the only front stuffer in your future, then you can get a .32,40,45,54, 58 and 62, plus throw in there a smooth bore, Then there is always that one that calls out to you buy me, buy me. Do not forget one each in flint and percussion, a cap and ball pistol or three and a single shot pistol, maybe a cannon I always wanted a cannon but the wife said noooooooooo ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

coloradoclyde said:

The % increase in ball weight from .40 cal, to .45 to .50 Is virtually identical.
38-39%

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Old guns we see a lot at 12 bore, .58,.44.36
12 bore is twelve to a pound, .58 twenty four to the pound, .44 forty eight, .36 ninety six

Rod Man said:

Looks like a .40 will work here.


Arkansas Muzzleloader
To be used for deer hunting, muzzleloading rifles must have a barrel 18 inches or longer and be .40 caliber or larger. Magnifying sights may be used. The use of shot is not legal. Legal muzzleloaders use flint, percussion cap, primer or electronic pulse, must have the bullet loaded through the muzzle and are not capable of firing a cartridge.

Hunters may use muzzleloading handguns with:

• barrels 9 inches or longer
• .45 caliber or larger if they shoot conical bullets (200 grains or heavier), or
• .530 caliber or larger if they shoot round balls.

A hunter may carry a muzzleloading handgun of any caliber as backup to a muzzleloading rifle.

Click to expand...

I kinda want a 40 because you can also hunt squirrels in Arkansas with a 40. So no larger than 40 on squirrels and no smaller than 40 for deer. I like things that can be used for multiple other things