flintlock question

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I really don't want to spend a 1000.00 dollars on a custom gun.

I doubt if you could find a custom gun for that price....try 2.5x that, and you might be in the ball park.

I was bit by the flinter bug a few years ago and bought a trade musket. I've had some difficulty getting it to go off (look in my past posts re: squirrel hunting last fall). Since then, I've played around with the flints and my success (at least on the range) has been better.

Others here know much more about flinters than I, so I am hoping that folks like Adam & Gil will chime in. I think that you can get a good Hawken reproduction with flint ignition for that price, or if you wanted something more in the lines of a Pennsylvania or Kentucky type long rifle, Cabela's "Blue Ridge" line might be of interest (although they are in the neighborhood of about $750)...these guns come in 50 & 54 cal and have a 1:48" twist (I think it might be a bit slower in the .54). They are nothing fancy....no wire inlay, brass patch boxes, ect., but they look like they would be suitable hunting weapons.

Anyway, good luck with your quest......I hope to be trekken' for squirrels in a few weeks.

[Gil Martin]

There are a lot of very good quality flintlock rifles available that will not cost a lot of money. The prices of new flintlocks tend to give me chest pains. I shop the used gun racks and have found Lyman Great Plains Rifles in .50 and .54 caliber for $188.00. I also found an excellent Lyman Trade rifle in .54 caliber for $200.00. The Thompson Center Hawken and Renegades in used condition sell for about the same money around here maybe a bit more. I have all of these flintlock and like them. In my opinion, the Lyman Trade Rifle in used or new condition is the best flintlock value for the money. A word of caution, if you shop the used gun racks examine any muzzleloader very carefully. Pay close attention to the bore because a lot of muzzleloaders may not have been properly cleaned and may show signs of rust or pitting. Good luck and let us know how you make out. All the best...
Gil