flintlock accessories
I am going flintlock muzzleloader hunting in PA for the first time. I have a Traditions flintlock, but no accessories. What are the required items and the nice to haves?
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When you say what accesories I don't know if you mean you have only the bare gun or what so my answer is based on the assumption that all you have is the gun.
You will need, a flint (that's why it's called a flintlock)and a leather to hold the flint snugly in the hammer. A well knapped flint is a beauty to behold but a modern saw cut will do the job. Main thing is it has to be sharp. 4F powder for priming the pan (I have been out of it for some time and don't know if they have found a suitable substitute - pyrodex etc). Pipe cleaner or small piece of fine wire (to clear the touch hole). A good cleaning rod other than what came with it. I liked one that stuck about a foot out of the muzzle when bottomed out. A ball puller (sooner or later you will need one). We usta to make 'em outa a 50 cal cleaning rod. Braze a stout wood screw in where the slotted tip would go. Ball starter, balls, patches (pre lubed is easier if not traditional), 3F/2F or pyrodex if they have it to where it will function reliably in a flint gun, and a sandwich bag with two rubber bands. A horn or flask to carry powder, a possibles bag for your other goodies, and a mini flask for the priming powder. Lots of patches and swabs for cleaning and you're bout ready to go. What's the sandwich bag for? Glad you asked. Cut it about 1/3 way on each edge. If the weather gets nasty use it to cover the hammer and frizzen and hold in place with the rubber bands. Have actually fired with this in place during a frog strangler. You only get one shot like this as the flash will melt it away.
Any other questions just ask. Pel
Sarcastic humor a specialty
Audemus jura nostra defendere"0 -
Pel,
Kinda get the feeling from your description of the procedure that our new flintlock hunter will be out looking for a 30-30 soon, hahahah.
Happy hunting.........
Charlie
"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com0 -
Thanx a lot for the advice. Would one of those starter kits have about all I'd need? As for the 30-30, I'd love to use mine, but can't make the regular season. I'm in the Air Force and "out of town" for a while. 0 -
Earl,
Just pulling you chain buddy........[:)][:)][:)]
I shoot BP all the time, only revolvers. Enjoy the hunt.
Charlie
"It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com0 -
To be honest Earl, I don't know what is in the 'kits'. When I was into this 30 years ago we made our own kits. Long as you have the basics outlined I 'spect it will get ya huntin'. Good Luck, Pel
Sarcastic humor a specialty
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Here is a list that I carry in my possibles bag for my flintlocks:
extra flints, small wire or touch hole pick, extra piece of leather (3 inch square), screwdriver and pliers or a multitool, priming horn or flask, ball puller, patch worm to retrieve patches that come off the cleaning jag in the borrom of the barrel, cleaning jag, gun oil/bear grease, pregreased patches, balls, short starter, powder horn or powder flask, powder measure (do not pour from the horn or flask into the barrel but rather use a powder measure), and rifle. A ram rod that is a bit long is best. As to priming powder, a good flintlock will prime with the same powder as you load with but not with Pyrodex. 4F is the best powder to prime with and if you want 4F but cannot find it, take some 3F and slowely grind it with a morter and pedestal. Be careful when grinding BP and do it slow. Now I also carry a compass and a fire starting set with me as well. A candle is in my possibles bag also. It would be a good idea to carry some matches in a water tigt container if you do not have a fire starting kit though. In the 18th century when they were using nothing but Flinters, they carried everything they needed to survive for weekseven if it was a one day hunt! Bottom line is make sure you have exrtra flint and the tools to change it with in your bag. Another helpful thing to carry is a small chunck of candle wax/bees wax to seal the priming pan in rainy weather. It does work to a certain degree. I do Rev War reenactments and I hunt pure 18th century except the orange vest and hat. I carry a powder horn, possibles bag, and a haver sack in the woods but if I get stuck there, I could stay for several weeks unless I was seriously hurt. Good luck on your first Flintlock hunt. Flinters can be addicting!
God protect me from my friends, I can take care of my enemies...0 -
Great advise from knowledgeable people. Before you get out in the woods, make sure your flint is throwing a good shower of sparks into the pan; this may entail turning the flint bevel up or bevel down in the hammer jaws. And make sure the flint is tight in the jaws! A speed loader is nice for a fast reload, but not absolutely necessary. Good luck! Emery
"Well done is better than well said"
Ben Franklin0 -
What everyone else said is great, but forget the pyrodex. Use real black powder only, the flintlock is a decent enough ignition device with real Goex Black powder, but becomes questionable at best with any of the substitutes.
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