Tips for flintlock hunting and shooting

Wildwilley · December 8, 2001, 11:43 AM

The PA regular deer season is almost at an end.
Flintlock season is almost at hand. Some of you may get flinters for Christmas. (Or already have.)
Here are some tips that have searved me well over the years.

1. When casting lead balls. Only use pure lead. Additives in lead make it harder to remove from the barrel and may accumulate in the groves of your barrel. This usually can not be cleaned without pulling the breech plug. Only use 100% pure lead.

2. Try to get good English, French, or German flints. Those which have been knapped not cut.
The Thompson Center lapidary flints are only good for about three shots per side and are expensive. Buy them in the correct size for your gun.

3. In damp weather the priming powder may not go off every time. An additive such as, "Powder Dry" can be added to retard moisture. Follow the directions on the bottle and this will help the ignition on those damp days.

4. Make sure the sparks from the frizzen land in the pan. Many times the sparks travel past the flash pan and miss the priming powder. Adjust your flint to where it showers the depression with a good amount of sparks.

5. If your getting few sparks it may be from a dull flint. Your flint should be have a saw tooth type edge. If your flint is dull, empty your flash pan, and tap the edge of the flint with your knife or use a metal object to knap little knicks in the edge. You'll get more sparks.

6. Be very careful of static electricity. This can set off your gunpowder.

These are some tips to make sure your gun fires when you want it to. Good luck and good huntin'

BigG · December 9, 2001, 12:36 AM

Thanks for the tips!

BTW as a fellow flinter I would be interested in your book when you get it written. Please keep us posted.

Wildwilley · December 9, 2001, 12:19 PM

Thanks for your interest. The book is done and now I have to lay it out to best use the illustrations. There are some instructions on how to make a cow's knee and frizzen cover. Also on how to make knapping tools and such.
I hope it will be done in March. I'll keep you all informed.

**4V50 Gary** · December 10, 2001, 07:59 PM

Never heard of Powder Dry. Can you give us a better description? Congratulations on the book too. Good luck in getting it published.

December 8, 2001, 11:43 AM	#1
Wildwilley Member Join Date: September 29, 2001 Location: Southwest Pennsylvania Posts: 51	Tips for flintlock hunting and shooting The PA regular deer season is almost at an end. Flintlock season is almost at hand. Some of you may get flinters for Christmas. (Or already have.) Here are some tips that have searved me well over the years. 1. When casting lead balls. Only use pure lead. Additives in lead make it harder to remove from the barrel and may accumulate in the groves of your barrel. This usually can not be cleaned without pulling the breech plug. Only use 100% pure lead. 2. Try to get good English, French, or German flints. Those which have been knapped not cut. The Thompson Center lapidary flints are only good for about three shots per side and are expensive. Buy them in the correct size for your gun. 3. In damp weather the priming powder may not go off every time. An additive such as, "Powder Dry" can be added to retard moisture. Follow the directions on the bottle and this will help the ignition on those damp days. 4. Make sure the sparks from the frizzen land in the pan. Many times the sparks travel past the flash pan and miss the priming powder. Adjust your flint to where it showers the depression with a good amount of sparks. 5. If your getting few sparks it may be from a dull flint. Your flint should be have a saw tooth type edge. If your flint is dull, empty your flash pan, and tap the edge of the flint with your knife or use a metal object to knap little knicks in the edge. You'll get more sparks. 6. Be very careful of static electricity. This can set off your gunpowder. These are some tips to make sure your gun fires when you want it to. Good luck and good huntin' __________________ Wild Willy

December 9, 2001, 12:36 AM	#2
BigG Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,334	Thanks for the tips! BTW as a fellow flinter I would be interested in your book when you get it written. Please keep us posted. __________________ o "The Earth is degenerating today. Bribery and corruption abound. Children no longer obey their parents, every man wants to write a book, and it is evident that the end of the world is fast approaching." Assyrian tablet, c. 2800 BC o "In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man brave, hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain o "They have gun control in Cuba. They have universal health care in Cuba. So why do they want to come here?" Paul Harvey o TODAY WE CARVE OUT OUR OWN OMENS! Leonidas, Thermopylae, 480 BC

December 9, 2001, 12:19 PM	#3
Wildwilley Member Join Date: September 29, 2001 Location: Southwest Pennsylvania Posts: 51	Books done Thanks for your interest. The book is done and now I have to lay it out to best use the illustrations. There are some instructions on how to make a cow's knee and frizzen cover. Also on how to make knapping tools and such. I hope it will be done in March. I'll keep you all informed. __________________ Wild Willy

December 10, 2001, 07:59 PM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Never heard of Powder Dry. Can you give us a better description? Congratulations on the book too. Good luck in getting it published. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*