Starter Kit for .54 Flintlock

Hey everyone, I am still super new when it comes to all of this muzzleloading. I bought from another user a really nice Lyman GPR with an L&R Lock in .54 caliber. It's all browned and beautiful and is on its way to me.

The only accessories I have are; a Powder flask, a powder measure, and a ball starter.

I know I need; a good steel ram rod, Powder (2F and 4F?), Balls, and cotton wads with maybe mink oil? a funnel or two may be good as well.

Anything else I would need for a .54 cal. flintlock? Any details I should know about?

There's so much knowledge on this forum and I enjoy looking through and learning from every one of you.

On YouTube, check out beginner videos by Black Powder TV (Bob McBride), Duelist1954 and Black Powder Maniac Shooter.

My advice when learning and especially shooting is slow down, take your time.

Banjoman

A cleaning jag!

Vent pick
Patch worm
Jag
Small brush and cloth to clean pan/lock area

Small tool kit of some kind to tighten screws, flint jaws or remove touch hole/vent to add a smidge of powder to remove a "dry ball" situation.
If you're going to get a ball puller you might as well get a ram rod puller as well. I find it easier just to pull the vent and add 5 grains of powder and seat the ball and fire it out.

If you have any friends around that shoot Flint or a local club having someone around to help out for the first time or two is a big plus.

Brian Robeson said:

Hey everyone, I am still super new when it comes to all of this muzzleloading. I bought from another user a really nice Lyman GPR with an L&R Lock in .54 caliber. It's all browned and beautiful and is on its way to me.

The only accessories I have are; a Powder flask, a powder measure, and a ball starter.

I know I need; a good steel ram rod, Powder (2F and 4F?), Balls, and cotton wads with maybe mink oil? a funnel or two may be good as well.

Anything else I would need for a .54 cal. flintlock? Any details I should know about?

There's so much knowledge on this forum and I enjoy looking through and learning from every one of you.

Click to expand...

Welcome to the world of flintlocks. There will be a lot of suggestions coming your way. After a quick read of your post it looks like you got most things covered, but here are a few things to consider that you or others have not yet mentioned.

1. Make sure you have a muzzle protector for your steel range rod. Mark your range rod to show when there is nothing in the bore and when it is loaded.
2. You may want to consider 3F powder for both the pan and the main charge. Simpler than two different powders.
3. Flints and small pieces of leather to hold them.
4. A couple of different thickness of patch material. I’d avoid pre-lubed patches, as they seem to break down over time.
5. Something to carry and organize your collection of shooting stuff in. Some kind of range box would be good. After you figure things out a bit, a small pouch should hold everything you need and use for a walk in the woods.

SDSmlf said:

Welcome to the world of flintlocks. There will be a lot of suggestions coming your way. After a quick read of your post it looks like you got most things covered, but here are a few things to consider that you or others have not yet mentioned.

1. Make sure you have a muzzle protector for your steel range rod. Mark your range rod to show when there is nothing in the bore and when it is loaded.
2. You may want to consider 3F powder for both the pan and the main charge. Simpler than two different powders.
3. Flints and small pieces of leather to hold them.
4. A couple of different thickness of patch material. I’d avoid pre-lubed patches, as they seem to break down over time.
5. Something to carry and organize your collection of shooting stuff in. Some kind of range box would be good. After you figure things out a bit, a small pouch should hold everything you need and use for a walk in the woods.

Click to expand...

Thank you those are some things I have not thought of. I did not know that 3F powder would work well for both. I'll have to look for that.

And of course, real black powder only. The substitutes work poorly at best.

FWIW I use Schuetzen or Goex 2f in a .62 caliber and prime from the same horn.

Make a list of all the suggestions and search through Track of the Wolf’s website or another if you have a favorite. I would recommend a synthetic range rod instead of steel. They’re tough, flexible, and won’t damage your bore.

I bought A really nice range rod from track that came with a tapered bore guide.

TDM said:

Make a list of all the suggestions and search through Track of the Wolf’s website or another if you have a favorite. I would recommend a synthetic range rod instead of steel. They’re tough, flexible, and won’t damage your bore.

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I prefer the steel range rods over synthetic, though both will work. And as long as you use a muzzle protector no range rod will damage the bore unless it’s too flexible like some of the Delrin examples I have seen.

OK, you're going to need balls, patching material, patch lube, a good range rod, brass primer, a vent pick, jag, patch worm and ball puller. Sounds daunting, but most of this stuff can be easily found on Track of the Wolf's Website.
My recommendations:

Balls:
Balls (get .530 size balls although your gun might prefer 0.535, just play around with it and see what it likes)

Patching Material:
Patches (I prefer pillow ticking patches that are 0.18" thick, but some others prefer a thinner patch of 0.15" or even 0.10" thick, you'll have to see what loads the best)

Lube:
I use a 50/50 mix of Murphy's Oil Soap to water, but some other common patch lubes are mink oil and a 7:1 ratio of water to Ballistol.

Range Rod:
Range Rod (I absolutely love TOTW's Creedmore rods, they are strong and get the job done, also keep note of the thread on the end)

Jag:
Jag (Make sure to get the proper caliber jag and the right thread for your range rod)

Vent Pick:
Vent Pick

Patch Worm:
Patch Worm (Great for cleaning a patented breech and pulling stuck patches)

Ball Puller
Ball Puller (You will inevitably dry ball, so having a puller will get you back to shooting in no time)

Brass Primer
Brass Primer (Not absolutely needed, but they are very convenient for quickly priming a flintlock.)

Hopefully this helps.

granth said:

OK, you're going to need balls, patching material, patch lube, a good range rod, brass primer, a vent pick, jag, patch worm and ball puller. Sounds daunting, but most of this stuff can be easily found on Track of the Wolf's Website.
My recommendations:

Balls:
Balls (get .530 size balls although your gun might prefer 0.535, just play around with it and see what it likes)

Patching Material:
Patches (I prefer pillow ticking patches that are 0.18" thick, but some others prefer a thinner patch of 0.15" or even 0.10" thick, you'll have to see what loads the best)

Lube:
I use a 50/50 mix of Murphy's Oil Soap to water, but some other common patch lubes are mink oil and a 7:1 ratio of water to Ballistol.

Range Rod:
Range Rod (I absolutely love TOTW's Creedmore rods, they are strong and get the job done, also keep note of the thread on the end)

Jag:
Jag (Make sure to get the proper caliber jag and the right thread for your range rod)

Vent Pick:
Vent Pick

Patch Worm:
Patch Worm (Great for cleaning a patented breech and pulling stuck patches)

Ball Puller
Ball Puller (You will inevitably dry ball, so having a puller will get you back to shooting in no time)

Brass Primer
Brass Primer (Not absolutely needed, but they are very convenient for quickly priming a flintlock.)

Hopefully this helps.

Click to expand...

Great list! And get the 10-32 size jags, pullers, cleaners, etc for your range rod. Everything the same size.

I would use 3F for the main charge and to prime with...D

You may want to get a short starter to start the patch and ball. If you know someone who shoots a muzzleloader have them go with you and walk you through the steps of checking your flint and loading procedure and proper cleaning of your rifle. Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone, this is all great information. I will definitely be using the Track of the Wolf Website. Special thanks to Granth for the in depth reply with links!

SDSmlf said:

Welcome to the world of flintlocks. There will be a lot of suggestions coming your way. After a quick read of your post it looks like you got most things covered, but here are a few things to consider that you or others have not yet mentioned.

1. Make sure you have a muzzle protector for your steel range rod. Mark your range rod to show when there is nothing in the bore and when it is loaded.
2. You may want to consider 3F powder for both the pan and the main charge. Simpler than two different powders.
3. Flints and small pieces of leather to hold them.
4. A couple of different thickness of patch material. I’d avoid pre-lubed patches, as they seem to break down over time.
5. Something to carry and organize your collection of shooting stuff in. Some kind of range box would be good. After you figure things out a bit, a small pouch should hold everything you need and use for a walk in the woods.

Click to expand...

All good suggestions. I might suggest a brass cleaning rod with a muzzle protector.

The only thing i dont see is a ball mold handy to cast your own balls.

I had some items to mention but it appears the guys beat me to the punch. I can add one minor thing and that's whatever loads you use make sure they can be seated safely with the wood underbarrel rod. That's especially important if you hunt with the rifle.