flintlock 36?

[GoodOlBoy]

What would be the most economical way for a fella to drift into a flintlock 36? I just found out that a local shop WILL order black powder for me so long as it doesn't stay in his shop overnight. Mostly I will be using the gun to learn to properly load and shoot a muzzleloader, and for hunting small game (rabbit, squirrel, coon, possum)

Thanks

Richard

[Adam Helmer]

GOB,

I am glad you asked. You can't get much more economical than shooting Round Ball out of a .36 caliber muzzleloader. If you cast your own balls, the cost drops even more.

The 13th Printing of the Lyman Black Powder Handbook dated November 1999 says on page 88, regarding 28", 32", 37" and 43" barreled arms:

A .360" RB weighing 71 grains and .015" patch can be used with 3F Goex from 25 to 70 grains. The 25 grain charge gives 1329 fps and 278 ft. lbs. ME and a 100 yard ME of 84 pounds. The 70 grain charge gives 2224 fps and 789 ME and a 147 ft. lb. at 100 yards.

At 70 grains per shot, you will get 100 shots out of a pound of BP; at 35 grains you will get 200 shots. Try both .010" and .015" patches for the balls and get a few spare flints. I sharpen dull flints on a whetstone since I never mastered knapping.

Adam

[GoodOlBoy]

Thanks for the info Adam! How about the gun itself? What is the most economical way to get into the muzzle-loader? I don't even mind building one myself. But where kits used to be inexpensive I can't find a kit for less thank $600+ and a rifle for less than $800+. Being that I am out of work and still fighting for disability I don't have a big budget, just the little birthday and Christmas savings I got as presents. I want the flintlock to help put more meat in the freezer since we have a REAL rabbit population problem right now, and spring squirrel season is coming.

I would just use my old 22, but I am about out of shells and you couldn't buy a fifty cent box of shells with a hundred dollar bill around here right now. Same thing with decent shotgun shells.

Thanks

Richard

[Adam Helmer]

GOB,

If you do not already have a muzzleloader, I would check the used gun racks in a few gun shops. Used muzzleloaders do not go for a lot of money hereabouts. If you cannot find a .36, you might consider a .40 or .45. The later two calibers can be loaded light for rabbits.

Adam

[Gil Martin]

Most of my muzzleloaders came off the used gun racks in one gun shop or another. I have paid as little as $100 for a T/C Renegade in excellent condition. Others blackpowder rifles such as Lyman Trade Rifles or Great Plains Rifles cost a bit more but none were over $200. That is a fraction of the cost of a new muzzleloader. When buying used muzzleloaders, condition is everything especially the bore should not have rusting or pitting.

If I wanted a .36 caliber muzzleloader and was unable to find one in decent condition at a reasonable price I would go to Plan B. That is, I would buy a used muzzleloader made by T/C or Lyman and then get a .36 caliber barrel that would fit. The barrel will probably cost as much as the used blackpowder rifle. I did that when I wanted a flintlock muzzleloader and ending up building one built on a T/C Hawken and acquired a Green Mountain smoothbore barrel. Hope this helps. All the best...
Gil

[GoodOlBoy]

Thanks guys I appreciate the info. In East Texas muzzleloaders are a dead art and people are only vaguely aware they exist. In my whole life I have only ever seen them on racks in gun shops around here three times. One was a old man's collection being sold off at insanely high prices, one was a lyman great plains that was beat up and was more than cabelas wants for a new one, and one was an old blackpowder double with one rifle barrel and one smoothbore. They wanted about 3 grand for it and it didn't function and was pitted. I may be down to parting one together by buying pieces here and there. In west Texas they even have a blackpowder season, in east Texas. Not so much.

Thanks

Richard

[GoodOlBoy]

well i just looked on a couple of sites at parts only, and I won't be able to part one together either. *sigh* I don't know.

richard

[wrenchman]

Dixie gun works has kits of all price ranges but they can still run hi.

[Adam Helmer]

GOB,

Many years ago, circa 1980, I bought my first used muzzleloader for $155.00 at a small NH gun shop. The Flintlock T/C Hawken came with a .45 caliber rifled barrel and a .50 smoothbore barrel BECAUSE the former owner lived in the Peoples" Republik of Massachusetts where ONLY smoothbore muskets were legal for deer.

I have found a .50 smoothbore is a fine shotgun in its own right, as well as a fine patched ball gun. I offer this as advice that a .50 smoothbore on the used ML rack is really an ok gun.

If I still lived in Beaumont, I would drive over and give you a brick of .22s. Be well.

Adam

[GoodOlBoy]

I am keeping my eyes and ears open for anything in a flinter at this point. As was said I can swap out the barrel to a 36 later on down the line. East Texas is just about devoid of muzzleloaders, but we will see.

Thanks soooo much guys I appreciate it! I really do!

Richard