flint lock disappointment, multifactorial

[steven gordon]

I just plain like guns, OK? I got a muzzleloader because of the length of the Iowas muzzleloader season. things progressed past the original CVA fronteir carbine kits (seven of them, don't ask) to the TC renegade and eventually to inlines of several flavors.

Years ago I convinced a friend to lend me his CVA flintlock wall hanger, and I determined to make it go off, which it did, grudgingly, about six times. I gave it back to my buddy. Ten years ago I bought a Cabela's flinter and I left it in my gunsafe till yesterday.

I got it to spark, pretty good. I got a flash in the pan once, then it quit sparking. Eventually I poured the pan full of powder and lit it with a lighter (not easy) and it fizzled but sooner or later, the ball came out the end.

My conclusions (don't hurt yourself laughing at me):

1. Clean shot, despite their advertising, is NOT appropriate propellant for a flint lock.

2: Cabela's imports stuff from Italy which probably doesn't have a good, hard frizzen.

3. Sharpening a flint to get good spark is not as hard as you think.

4. I shouldn't give up on a rifle without actually using REAL black powder.

Learn from my mistakes so you don't have to make your own.

[Gil Martin]

I prefer flintlocks, use blackpowder, recommend Lyman frizzens, keep the touch hole clear, use good quality flints and have reliable ignition. All the best...
Gil

[popplecop]

I use nothing but good old black powder and English or French flints. Don't put very much 4f in the priming pan either, and keep my flints well knapped. And yes I do have a flash in the pan once in a great while and it is rare and my fault.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

. Clean shot, despite their advertising, is NOT appropriate propellant for a flint lock

Yup........

Cabela's imports stuff from Italy which probably doesn't have a good, hard frizzen

Not so sure about that.....I have a Trade musket, and it seems to spark O.K.

Sharpening a flint to get good spark is not as hard as you think

I shouldn't give up on a rifle without actually using REAL black powder.

Now yur larnin' why they calls it "TRADITIONAL" muzzleloaders!

BTW: I have been told (and I am finding it to be true) that the pan of a flintlock should be charged between 1/3rd and 1/2 full.