Another Flinter "On the Heap."

[Adam Helmer]

Ah, where to begin?

Last Saturday night I watched Robert Redford for the umpteenth time in "Jeremiah Johnston." The next day, Sunday, after church, I went to an NRA Training Counselor's home to take the NRA muzzleloader instructor exam to get the ML certification for what I have been instructing for 40 years. I scored a 98% and a 100% on the tests.

As I was leaving, the Counselor said, I have a .50 caliber Hawken flinter and a big box of stuff to take to the gun show next month in Morris, PA. I looked at the gun and the big box of plunder, made an offer and the gun and plunder came home with me. Yes, I needed another flinter and happily cleaned the gun, sorted the plunder and incorporated all the acquired stuff into my "Heap." I think I have enough flints, patches, ball, lube and powder to see me through the rest of my life and/or Hillary's Presidency.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

You can always use another flinter. All the best...
Gil

[roundball]

I know the feeling so you're not alone...I've never been so taken with any hobby in my life as I have with Flintlocks...I keep thinking the shine will wear off but I'm in my 6th year now of exclusively shooting and hunting Flintlocks, have been accumulating them along the way, with no end in sight...sold off several centerfire pumps, autos, and levers, plus a special purpose rifled slug shotgun...haven't used any of them for 15+ years...makes the Flintlock expansion painless :D

[Adam Helmer]

roundball,

Yes, I like flintlocks very much. I have a .45, .50 and a .54 and shoot them all very often. My percussion guns are interesting and are fine shooters as well. There is something very historic or romantic about a flinter that makes me keep adding flintlocks to my "Heap."

Be well.

Adam

[GoodOlBoy]

You guys are killin me I been wantin to get into muzzleloaders for years, particular flintlocks.

GoodOlBoy

[roundball]

Originally posted by GoodOlBoy
You guys are killin me I been wantin to get into muzzleloaders for years, particular flintlocks.

GoodOlBoy

Well, we're holdin' the door wide open for you...come on in !

Note:
Flintlocks and blackpowder are a sickness...or at least a syndrome.....there is no cure and there's no 12-step program.

The only thing that heps keeps it in remission after starting with Flintlocks is shooting it often...making a lot of pretty white smoke.

But even that is only good for a year...then you have to get another one in a different caliber...and another year / another caliber, etc, etc.

Note: Our welcome to the world of Flintlocks conveys no relief for marital discord which may result from you spending lots of time with your Flintlocks, complaining about a nick on your finger from a sharp black english flint, coming back from the range grinning while smelling of BP smoke, etc.

But seriously, there's just nothing like it...pick up a good used TC Hawken or something for not a lot of money and try it...if you don't like it you can always resell the Hawken and not lose anything..........but, I bet if you once try it.........

[toxic111]

I plan to get one myself in the near future... Saskatchewan and a full month long MZ season, and although I can use a scoped inline (and I have)

The other bonus is that I don't have to register a flintlcok (do with an inline or percussion) nor do I need to show my firearms licence.

I just need to learn how to shoot one, and set it up, etc.

[roundball]

Since you're already an accomplished shooter, and already familar with muzzleloading in general, it'll be a short learning curve...the main two differences would be the cleaning & lubing and the "flint lock"mechanism & ignition.

I've hunted for almost 50 years up and down the east coast and have never taken any game that was more satisfying than a buck taken with a Flintlock and patched round ball...even more satisfying than the years I bow hunted because I was using a modern compound bow so I knew I was cheating a little on the traditional aspect of bow hunting...but Flintlocks and PRBs are what the settler's used...I've hunted exclusivly with them the past 5 years and my only regret is that I didn't start 25-30 years ago.
:)

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Unfortunately (for me anyway), you fellows in PA, with your requirements for flintlock only season, have an advantage over us....here in MI, I don't EVER remember seeing a used flintlock in ANY used gun rack!:( Here, caplocks have always been permitted, and there is a plethora of them in the pawn shops & want ads. The only place I have ever seen a flintlock is in the black powder specialty store that I buy my lead and BP from.


congrats on your find, Adam.....I'm still looking forward to the day that I take some game (big OR small!:rolleyes: ) with my Trade musket!;)

[Swift]

Congrats on the new flinter Adam!

Just bought "my own" flinter after borrowing my Pop's for the last couple of years.

I love toting my T/C Hawken around the woods in the late season.
Maybe next year I'll even get to hunt in the snow and take a late season eating deer.

[GoodOlBoy]

I have been thinking for awhile about a .36 caliber flintlock. I read and have been told you can use 000 buck for round balls in it with a pillow ticking patch. Most sources I see advise to run them through a tumbler first (makes em kinda look like a golf ball, but at least you are sure they are round afterwards was what I read) ANYWAY I have been drooling over the idea ever since. pick up a bag of 000 bucks, some pillow ticking patches, and a bucket o powder and go to town. Problem is I can't justify $550+ with the wife for another gun.

Oh well maybe I will win the lottery soon.

GoodOlBoy

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Problem is I can't justify $550+ with the wife for another gun.

Get rid of the wife....then get the gun!;)

[GoodOlBoy]

Nope can't get rid of the wife shes the only woman on the planet that will put up with me. :D

GoodOlBoy

[Adam Helmer]

Lots of great responses from many Longhunters;keep them coming.

GOB,

I think you may be able to find a used ML for less than $550 at some local gun shop or at a yard sale. I would suggest a .45 caliber as a minimum for your first ML flinter; loaded down with ball you can take small game and with maxis, you can hunt deer. Once you do that, the .50 and .54 calibers flinters will just come into your battery, all natural like.

Swift,

Glad to hear you got your own flinter. What caliber did you get? We have 20 inches of snow here that should have been on the ground in late December. A few years ago we had a deep snow and I hunted deer with my .54 flinter in the woods on snowshoes. It was a nostalgic hunt and I never saw another Longhunter afield.

Mr. 16 gauge,

What sorta flinter you looking for? If I see one in nice shape, I will send you a PM. My brother, Gil Martin, has more shops down state to shop and maybe he can be of assist, as well. We got to get you properly attired with a flinter.

Adam

[Swift]

Got an older T/C Hawkin 50 cal in pristine condition. I love the late season for the fact of what you just stated...nobody else seen in the woods!