Flintlock?

[palabman]

I have always stuck with 2F Goex down the pipe and 4F in the pan. I tried the pyrodex powder years ago but the ignition delay was too long.

As for the type of gun, I like my T/C Hawken. They are a little pricey but they are nicely made. A couple of buddies have the T/C Firestorm. One gun is fine but the other has a gap between the pan and the stock and lets the powder escape. I told him he should send it back to T/C but he hasn't done so yet.

[Kiski Cowboy]

Don't think you can go wrong at all with a Hawken length flintlock for most PA deer hunting. I use a T/C Renegade, .50 cal, 90 gr 3F Goex with a 240 gr Hornady PA Conical bullet in mine, 4F Goex in the flash pan. Shoots nice tight groups, and has plenty of knockdown power for deer.

[wis bang]

Is this also true for late season archery?

NO. Look at your 'Buck' tag it says buck or flintlock...

[TailDragger]

If you ever have a problem with a black powder fire arm (or wish one built), send an email to Lucian. Mind you , he is in Vt.

strictlymuzzleloading@tdstelme.net

Just tell him young peter sent you.

[BrowningBoy]

I use a TC Pennsylvania Hunter Carbine. It balances real nice and handles like a dream. 80 gr. 2f and a patched buffalo bullet round ball.

[GWH]

I use a PA hunter with 100gr 3f and a patch and round ball, only thing i can get it to pattern with. I love the gold round balls, but I can not find them anywhere. I have heard that they have been discontinued so i may have to start spray painting my own

[Pete D.]

a flintlock needs needs two types of powder. They need super fine 4f in the pan for ignition.

Actually, you can do with one powder. FFFg will work quite nicely both as a main charge and in the flash pan.
About 85 grains and a PRB, you'd be good to go.
I have a Lyman GPR that shoots it well.
My favorite load, however, is 90 grains of FFg and a PRB. Easy to keep groups under two inches at 100 yards.
Pete

[brian]

fyi, for you round ball guys....it's not one size fits all.
there are two popular round ball sizes in the 50cal flavor 0.490 and 0.495". there are even more patching thicknesses, 0.010, 0.015 and 0.020". 0.018" can be found in pillow ticking.
the combonation for the best accurracy is the largest ball with the tightest patch.
a true round ball barrel will have much deeper, and slower rifling than a barrel intended for slugs.
most hawkens barrels will have rifling that is fairly shallow and pretty quick...1:48" is pretty common. they will shoot a ball well enough, however round ball barrels will be in the range of 1:72".
the ball and patch i use in my rifle is the .495 ball and a .018 ticking pushed by 75 grains of 2f, lite by 4f. this combo makes clover leaves at 75yards.
the powder makes a difference as well.
3f is generaly regarded as being 10% more powerful than an equal charge of 2f.
to get the most out of "your" rifle you need to play with it. mine does not like 3f..nor do i. it fouls like a mfer and the group really opens up.
shooting well with a smoke pole is fairly easy, shooting good with holy black however is sort of like black magic.

[Pete D.]

Lyman GPR Flint
.50 cal.
.490" LRB
0.010" patch
90 grains FFg
Three shots consecutive at 100 yards:


Effectiveness of the patch thickness/ball diameter combo is as much a function of each barrel as it is anything else.
Pete

[domgb127]

If you want to use synthetic black powder such as triple 7 or Jim Shockeys Brand, and even Pellets i would suggest a Traditions Pellet Accelerator. The only downfall is that they are a bit pricey for flintlocks. wooden ones are nearly 500 dollars. Good Luck