Any muzzleloader fans?

[I_Like_Turtles]

I love muzzleloaders! A CVA Bobcat caplock was one of the first rifles I bought when I turned 18 and I still have it. I haven't killed anything with it but I hunted with it pretty heavily in 1998 and 2000. Now I have three TC flintlocks....including one that is in .58.

I have a caplock pistol in .36 that is really fun to shoot. I once kept it loaded for a month and it went off like a boss when I took it to the range.

Anyone?

[guido4198]

16693
I shoot a LOT of BP through muzzleloaders. This is one of my favorites. Hand-Built for me by Mike Davis. 40 caliber "Southern Mountain Rifle". From a rest, she'll put 5 balls in a single hole you can cover with a quarter from 50 yds. That's with "primitive" iron sights and my very bad 70 yr old eyes.

[Bawanna]

That is drop dead gorgeous quido! Some damn nice Tiger Maple on that stock. Is that built left hand?

[I_Like_Turtles]

Oh I love tiger striping! Very nice rifle.

I don't have a custom muzzleloader but I would sure like to have one.

[gb6491]

16693
I shoot a LOT of BP through muzzleloaders. This is one of my favorites. Hand-Built for me by Mike Davis. 40 caliber "Southern Mountain Rifle". From a rest, she'll put 5 balls in a single hole you can cover with a quarter from 50 yds. That's with "primitive" iron sights and my very bad 70 yr old eyes.
Oh my, we must have more photos of that beauty!

[Artie]

That is a fine looking rifle.

I have a flint locked Lyman Great Plains Rifle, a pair of Ruger Old Army revolvers, a Pietta 1851 Yank snub nosed revolver and a Bobcat.

[I_Like_Turtles]

Finally! Scored a .45 caliber Thompson Center flintlock on Gunbroker! This is a "Hawken" but an early model without "HAWKEN" stamped on the barrel. ;)

[guido4198]

The lock on the early model T/C flintlock rifles left a lot to be desired. I replaced my early T/C lock with their "new design" lock and find the newer lock to be pretty darn good. It's not a Chambers...but it's not too bad for a mass produced flintlock. A Lyman frizzen is better than the T/C and can be easily fitted to use in your T/C lock. There's a vendor who sells them already "fitted" if you want to go that way sometime. If that becomes something you're interested in, I can dig up that reference.
Good Luck with your new acquisition..welcome to the asylum..!!Shooting flint can get in your blood....and nothing else will do.

[Bawanna]

So when do we see more photos of that Southern Mountain Rifle? That thing is gorgeous.

[I_Like_Turtles]

The lock on the early model T/C flintlock rifles left a lot to be desired. I replaced my early T/C lock with their "new design" lock and find the newer lock to be pretty darn good. It's not a Chambers...but it's not too bad for a mass produced flintlock. A Lyman frizzen is better than the T/C and can be easily fitted to use in your T/C lock. There's a vendor who sells them already "fitted" if you want to go that way sometime. If that becomes something you're interested in, I can dig up that reference.
Good Luck with your new acquisition..welcome to the asylum..!!Shooting flint can get in your blood....and nothing else will do.

Thanks man, I may have to do that if your misgivings prove correct for my rifle.

[Canine Dave]

16693
I shoot a LOT of BP through muzzleloaders. This is one of my favorites. Hand-Built for me by Mike Davis. 40 caliber "Southern Mountain Rifle". From a rest, she'll put 5 balls in a single hole you can cover with a quarter from 50 yds. That's with "primitive" iron sights and my very bad 70 yr old eyes.

Oh my. Beautiful.

I never think of our South as having mountains, but they do. This would be the perfect rifle, maybe replace the hi-tech rests with sticks and a possum carcass?

Nothing to say you can't load BP in your Kahr! I think I'd try ffff first for the 9.

[I_Like_Turtles]

Still have not heard from the seller. I have emailed him twice and called him once. I will not send payment to a non-replying seller.

[King Rat]

I love muzzleloaders! A CVA Bobcat caplock was one of the first rifles I bought when I turned 18 and I still have it. I haven't killed anything with it but I hunted with it pretty heavily in 1998 and 2000. Now I have three TC flintlocks....including one that is in .58.

I have a caplock pistol in .36 that is really fun to shoot. I once kept it loaded for a month and it went off like a boss when I took it to the range.

Anyone?


Dang that is cool! Love that stock.

[I_Like_Turtles]

Dang that is cool! Love that stock.

Thanks man. Well I called the seller on the Gunbroker auction (Thompson Center .45 flintlock) and he told me Gunbroker email is only received about 1/3 of the time! Wow, that explains a lot. Anyway, we chatted on the phone and he is OK with me sending a personal check since I have nearly 100 reviews. (Been on GB since 2001).

Eager to get this .45 even if I have to modify or replace the lock.

[340pd]

One quick Muzzleloader story. A few years back a group were partying in a very remote area and one of the guys brought out his new CVA inline muzzleloader. A thing of beauty that I knew nothing about. We all got a chance to shoot off the porch and loved the whole process.
My wife came out to see what all the commotion was about and Gary asked if she wanted to give it a try. Up to that point in time she had only fired a .22 and her result was a dead center bullseye and she calmly set the gun down and said thanks for the lesson.
Off in the distance were the remnants of a one time wood duck house. She took aim, fired, blew that thing to smithereens, set the gun down and said with a wry smile, said thanks for lesson #2, anything else?

[Bawanna]

Woman are almost always better shots. No stigma or ill feelings if they suck. They can play the I'm just a girl card.
First time guys are saddled with the I'm a girly man if I can't hit the bullseye with the first shot. Much more pressure.
I know this to be true, had that same first time pressure for 50 years.

[I_Like_Turtles]

Woman are almost always better shots. No stigma or ill feelings if they suck. They can play the I'm just a girl card.
First time guys are saddled with the I'm a girly man if I can't hit the bullseye with the first shot. Much more pressure.
I know this to be true, had that same first time pressure for 50 years.


I have taught several friends how to shoot, about equal numbers of men and women. I also taught ski lessons for years and have had over 5000 ski students, most first timers.

Women tend to listen better than men, do not have a weak ego to stroke, and are more patient. All of those make for a better student.

My own GF is a great shot, her group with an air rifle was tighter than mine by a hair. I adjusted my aim each shot trying for the bullseye (which I found) but her group was tighter. Eager to see how she does when I get her over here and put some powder in her hands.

[I_Like_Turtles]

Finally! Found a Thompson Center Silver Elite.......gorgeous stock. Seller isn't too far away, about a two hour drive, I'll go pay in person then visit a friend that lives nearby.

;)

[Funflyer]

I've got an 1858 Remington New Army coming. Does that count?

[Bawanna]

Works for me as long as you post some pictures when it arrives. Otherwise no deal.

[Funflyer]

USP stopped by yesterday with the new pistola. Here she is, all cleaned, lubed and ready for action next to my 7th Cavalry 45. In my quest for caps, which proved to be futile, I came across a video of a guy who figured a way to use small pistol primers as a replacement. So I ran to the hardware store and picked up the suggested tubing and am in business. My primer stash topped 28,000 last week so I'm set for a while.

[I_Like_Turtles]

Looks like fun! I haven't shot my cap and ball CVA in many years.

[I_Like_Turtles]

I received the .45 rifle today, she is quite attractive. She either hasn't been shot very much or the owner really took care of her. I have no .45 caliber balls but I hope to order some soon and try her out. I have a decent stock of powder though, including priming powder.

The flint sparks well....or seems to.

[guido4198]

Congratulations on your new rifle.
If you don't have it already...you might consider getting a copy of Eric Bye's book: Flintlocks, A practical guide for their use and appreciation. I believe the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) would be a good place to find one. Give them a shout. https://www.nmlra.org/
Once you start shooting a flintlock, you'll need to learn a new skill called "rock maintenance". How to choose a flint, knap the flint, how to mount it in the lock and maintain it to get the most out of each flint and how to know it's time to let it go and replace it.
Let me know if I can be of any assistance.
ENJOY..!!

[King Rat]

16693
I shoot a LOT of BP through muzzleloaders. This is one of my favorites. Hand-Built for me by Mike Davis. 40 caliber "Southern Mountain Rifle". From a rest, she'll put 5 balls in a single hole you can cover with a quarter from 50 yds. That's with "primitive" iron sights and my very bad 70 yr old eyes.

Man that is beautiful. Love the wood. I just entered in the the Muzzle loading world. I have a budget Inline coming in. Bought a budget do get into the door to learn. Need to get pass the learning curve. Have already put out a lot of cash for components. But even at this stage, I can see I will be going they way of Something like your "Southern Mountain" in the future.

[guido4198]

Welcome to the asylum..!
Pretty much everyone I know that enjoys muzzleloaders started out with some kind of commercially mass produced rifle. In my case...it was before Inlines were on the market. I caught the bug, and mail ordered a Thompson Center "Hawken" rifle.
A lot of inline shooters never see black powder, or any type of "loose" powder at all. Original black, or any one of the "substitute" products ( Pyrodex, 777, etc. ) will work just fine, but a lot of folks like the pellets and just go that way. Optimum projectile choice comes up next and since most of the inlines have "fast-twist" barrels, they shoot best with projectiles that have longer length (higher ballistic coefficient) than the patched roundballs we shoot in more traditional rifles. That's not to say you can't shoot black powder charges poured from a measure, and patched roundballs out of your inline. If you want to give it a try...I recommend you use mild powder charges and enjoy shooting 25-50 yd targets. Shooting offhand at a life-sized squirrel target from 25 yds (especially with iron sights) can be an enjoyable day at the range and cost a heck of a lot less than burning through 100 gn packs of pellets and sabotted JSP bullets.
Please note: at no point have I said anything to denigrate inlines. I have no problem with them, although some "traditionalists" seem to.
Whatever choices you make..be safe and ENJOY..!!
Let me know if I can help.

[King Rat]

Welcome to the asylum..!
Pretty much everyone I know that enjoys muzzleloaders started out with some kind of commercially mass produced rifle. In my case...it was before Inlines were on the market. I caught the bug, and mail ordered a Thompson Center "Hawken" rifle.
A lot of inline shooters never see black powder, or any type of "loose" powder at all. Original black, or any one of the "substitute" products ( Pyrodex, 777, etc. ) will work just fine, but a lot of folks like the pellets and just go that way. Optimum projectile choice comes up next and since most of the inlines have "fast-twist" barrels, they shoot best with projectiles that have longer length (higher ballistic coefficient) than the patched roundballs we shoot in more traditional rifles. That's not to say you can't shoot black powder charges poured from a measure, and patched roundballs out of your inline. If you want to give it a try...I recommend you use mild powder charges and enjoy shooting 25-50 yd targets. Shooting offhand at a life-sized squirrel target from 25 yds (especially with iron sights) can be an enjoyable day at the range and cost a heck of a lot less than burning through 100 gn packs of pellets and sabotted JSP bullets.
Please note: at no point have I said anything to denigrate inlines. I have no problem with them, although some "traditionalists" seem to.
Whatever choices you make..be safe and ENJOY..!!
Let me know if I can help.

I hear ya, already wishing I had gone traditional.

[guido4198]

The general trend for people who enjoy muzzleloaders is to go from an inline, to a more traditional mass produced caplock. Usually it's a "Hawken style" rifle from Thompson Center, CVA, Lyman, etc. there's a lot of all of those around in pawn shops if you're patient and do some shopping around. As I mentioned above...you can enjoy some of the unique features of a traditional style rifle with your inline. You can use loose powder, you can get decent results shooting patched roundballs by limiting the powder charge to prevent a higher velocity load from stripping, i.e.: jumping the rifling. That will allow you all the fun of testing different patch material, different ball sizes, and the limitless variety of patch lubes ( both commercial and "home brew") that are available. ALL of which require MORE SHOOTING, which after all...is the whole idea in the first place.!! One of our club members found a traditional style 50 caliber caplock "longrifle" on the internet. The barrel has 1:38 twist rate. Some of our experienced traditional BP shooters told him "that rifle won't shoot roundballs...the twist is too fast". (Typical twist for roundballs is 1:66, 1:70).
He used that rifle, with patched roundballs to win our last 100 yd offhand competition. I believe he uses something like 50 gns Goex 3f powder.

[King Rat]

Thanks for the info. Normally I would be OCD about stripping the rifling. But, this is a budget gun so will take your advice and shoot some patched roundballs. I definitely see a Hawken etc. in the near future (once I stop the bleeding from the cost of this Sabots and Pellets. I have bought a few lbs of Powder so will get through those and start to look for a good Traditional. Also interested in a Revolver as well.

What is your opinion of a Flintlock rifles?

[I_Like_Turtles]

Thanks for the info. Normally I would be OCD about stripping the rifling. But, this is a budget gun so will take your advice and shoot some patched roundballs. I definitely see a Hawken etc. in the near future (once I stop the bleeding from the cost of this Sabots and Pellets. I have bought a few lbs of Powder so will get through those and start to look for a good Traditional. Also interested in a Revolver as well.

What is your opinion of a Flintlock rifles?

I don't think a patched round ball will have any effect on the rifling. It will keep your costs and recoil down though.

I have four flintlocks, all Thompson Center (TC), but have not fired any. I love the way they look and the challenge of flinch control. For some reason, I generally choose the long way around things....shave with straight razor, use a flip phone, prefer manual over automatic, etc.

[guido4198]

With the faster twist in your inline barrel, use a lower powder charge. Try 45-50 gns to start and see how it works. What powder are you shooting ? I’ve been assuming you have a 50 cal rifle. Let me know if that’s not correct. like so many of us, I started out with a mail order T/C 50 cal cap lock. Eventually got a T/C flintlock and finally moved into the custom built longrifles that have consumed my interest for a number of years now. That’s all I ever shoot. The key to shopping for a flintlock is the lock itself. A cheap lock, or one that’s not so cheap but simply not well built will turn a person off flintlock shooting faster than anything else. When you have a good quality, well tuned lock your rifle will be as reliable as any caplock and just as “ fast” to go off when you pull the trigger. I don’t get that whoosh-bang slow ignition from my rifles and I honestly can’t remember the last time one failed to fire when I pulled the trigger ( providing that I had put powder in and not “ dry balled..!!!).

[King Rat]

Question. I shoot shotguns quite a bit and shoot a lot of Buckshot, so recoil is not problem. But for a inline, I want to shoot fairly often and will have no problem shooting at 50 yds. So, Just wondering if a light charge like 30-50gr will be OK and if so what bullet would you recommend? Is a stuck bullet a issue to be careful about?

[Bawanna]

I'm not savvy enough to know about the loads but do know that a stuck bullet is definitely something to be careful of.

With a muzzle loader it will be much more obvious than a rifle or any cartridge type gun. Your ram rod will tell you.

You can either pull the bullet with a puller, like a screw type attachment that goes on your ram rod or you can put another charge behind and reset the bullet, (this is important) need to push the bullet back down on the charge and not leave any space, if it had some charge the first round. Sometimes you have to do this a few times to create enough room for powder enough to get the bullet clear.

I've also probably unwisely put my compressor nozzle to the nipple and gave it a blast. It worked and put the bullet through the wall of my garage at that time. Not sure that's recommended and I didn't figure it would work that well but alas it worked and nobody died, always a good thing.

I'm not too familiar with the inlines, if you can access from the rear. Never played with one.

[guido4198]

THIS:
" push the bullet back down on the charge and not leave any space"

It is critical that whatever bullet you're using, that it be snug against whatever powder charge you are using. NO space between them.
I tell this story on myself every now and then to provide a warning:
As I mentioned earlier, my first muzzleloader was a mail order 50 cal T/C "Hawken", caplock. I just got a "bug" one day to own one. It was 1975 or 76. Didn't know much about them, and there was NO internet back then. I read the little booklet that came with the rifle, and the blackpowder section in the back of an old Lyman reloading manual and figured I was good to go. I was using 50 gns of blackpowder. and the prelubed T/C patches that came in the "Accessory pack" I ordered with the rifle. First shot was great. Second shot...likewise. Third shot was hard to load...but I got it down. Fourth shot was REAL hard to load, so I applied MORE FORCE on the ramrod.
There was no fifth shot. Ramrod broke. Seems like the little bit of reading I did either didn't discuss "FOULING" buildup, or it did and I ignored it. I also failed to learn how to use a ramrod. I just grabbed the end...and "Shoved her down". It worked for Fess Parker...!!! To correctly use a ramrod, once you have the bullet started...grip the rod 6-8 in. above the muzzle and push it down a little at a time until you have the bullet snug against the powder.
Of course, we have the internet today and there are literally thousands of U-Tube videos to watch and learn. I've looked at a few of them over the years...SOME are actually quite good. SOME are so bad as to be dangerous. I recommend every shooter new to muzzleloaders and blackpowder find someone with actual experience, and knowledge to help get started. My gun club has a dedicated BP range, which is where I spend a lot of my range time these days.
About this time of year...there's always a few members who show up on the BP range with a brand new muzzleloader and a few bags and boxes of shiny new "Stuff" they just picked up at Cabelas/Bass Pro, or just received in the mail. They're a lot like I was. Trying to get ready for the BP deer season...and fundamentally clueless. I'm always happy to give them all the help I can to send them off at least more SAFE than they were when they arrived, and WITHOUT a broken ramrod..!

[King Rat]

One thing for sure as a Rookie going into the world of Muzzle loaders, there IS a big learning curve. Fortunately through Fiends on the internet like the ones helping on this forum, and the many Youtube videos, you can get a fairly good education if you apply yourself to learning. I do believe that many that get started in this sport due so for one purpose and that is to use for Deer Hunting and not so much for the interest in BP. While I already have acquired a License that will start the Deer season off two weeks earlier, that is Not the reason I have started into the world of Black Powder. I have always had the itch and the Ammo Shortage was just the kick in the A** to get moving.
Already it is a fascinating adventure. The different Bullets, powder, charges, type of guns and Pistols etc is world of intrigue and enjoyment for anyone that truly loves firearms. Actually have spent so much time with Center Fire and Rimfire for so many years, this is like a refreshing change.

I do notice that the Youtubes etc, while providing much info, a lot of it is confusing and many contradictions. That said, the main core of solid info is out there. I already invested in a much better Ram Rod for instance. Already bought a bullet puller. Have a better understanding of the different powders, bullets, primers etc. But have a long way to go with Practical and diligent target work.
Guido4198, liked what you said about the difference in quality of the Traditional Muzzle loader Locks. I plan to spend about a year shooting this budget inline, but again, will be moving on to a traditional down the road and of course the journey to fine the one I will choose actually starts now.
I have always been a fan of the One Shot One Kill type of shooting since I was a kid and taught to shoot by my Dad, just never got into the AR style of shooting a lot of rounds, at one time. Not that there is anything wrong with them. Just not as fun to shoot for my personality type.

Interesting is the fact that my budget TC came in last night. (delivered after Midnight) is very similar to the build quality the the Midland single Barrel shotgun. Actually the Midland is better quality. And this seems like a nice gun that should give me a good start for the money invested to learn.
So begins the Journey. Hope to get to the range in the next few days.
Thanks to all, look forward to more interesting post. And That dang Mountain gun has locked into my mind. Man that looks like one fun gun to shoot. Beautiful

https://i.imgur.com/UgidDiM.jpg?1

PS Bawanna, that gun you hooked up to the Air Compressor gives you a idea of what New modern Airguns are capable of.

[Bawanna]

Think about them new airguns now and then. Also not so new, Lewis and Clark had a couple air guns with their party.

I got into BP but haven't played for many years, I think that Mountain Gun and a good friend on another forum kind of reignited the bug.

The nice thing is you can go and shoot all day for less than 20 bucks, no emptying a 30 round magazine in 4 seconds with BP.

I've actually been looking for a squirrel rifle, like 32 or something to play with. Less powder, less lead. Haven't seen one at the local gun shows.

Already found a potential Flintlock kit as I was prowling last night. Might be a fun project after more research.

I didn't break a ram rod (yet) but I already got a fiberglass one as I just thought the wood one was a might fragile in my 54 TC Renegade.

This is all that Mountain guns fault.

[guido4198]

Uh...friends, I appreciate all the great comments about my flintlock there in the picture.
Fact is...
THAT is my RIFLE...This is my GUN...Oh wait...that image probably isn't appropriate for this forum...(but you get the idea..!!!).
BAWANNA...Those fiberglass rods are notorious among people who shoot muzzleloaders A LOT for causing muzzle wear on the crown of the barrel if used without a good fitting muzzle protector.
If you don't have one already...You can order one from any of the ML suppliers, or look around at home depot or Loews for a brass plumbing ferrule, you probably have 3/8" OD rod. I've used 3/8" ID brass ferrule from Home Depot for years on one of my rods.

[I_Like_Turtles]

Well man it's a very pretty stock! Further, flintlocks are very old school and to quote "The Incredibles," "there is no school like the old school."

[gb6491]

Think about them new airguns now and then. Also not so new, Lewis and Clark had a couple air guns with their party.

I got into BP but haven't played for many years, I think that Mountain Gun and a good friend on another forum kind of reignited the bug.

The nice thing is you can go and shoot all day for less than 20 bucks, no emptying a 30 round magazine in 4 seconds with BP.

I've actually been looking for a squirrel rifle, like 32 or something to play with. Less powder, less lead. Haven't seen one at the local gun shows.

Already found a potential Flintlock kit as I was prowling last night. Might be a fun project after more research.

I didn't break a ram rod (yet) but I already got a fiberglass one as I just thought the wood one was a might fragile in my 54 TC Renegade.

This is all that Mountain guns fault.
https://www.animatedimages.org/data/media/302/animated-devil-smiley-image-0164.gif (https://www.animatedimages.org/cat-devil-smileys-and-smilies-302.htm)
Let me play the Devil's advocate here: that brand new Henry of yours shoots a cartridge that cut it's teeth on black powder...and there's always this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6ISmaUw9UI

[Bawanna]

That's pretty cool and something to put in the memory banks, plus I have 3 jugs of Triple Seven but it's FFF. Have to find some FF for my 54 although a reduced charge of the FFF is supposed to work.

Smoke cloud out of a 1911, kind a makes my britches stick out in front. Probably nasty to clean though.