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Smoke Pole Question #7362723
09/23/21 05:07 PM
09/23/21 05:07 PM
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
P
Pike River Offline OP
trapper
Pike River  Offline OP
trapper
P

Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
Why should I get a percussion cap muzzy rather than a flinty? And what would be an entry level gun (smooth or rifle) or kit?

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362734
09/23/21 05:17 PM
09/23/21 05:17 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,382
Green County Wisconsin
G
GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
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G

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,382
Green County Wisconsin
what's your goal ?

season extender ?

want to participate in Rondy?

total independence from primers?

what do you plan to shoot ?

budget ?

flinters cost more than percussion more parts , more work more tuning

Last edited by GREENCOUNTYPETE; 09/23/21 05:18 PM.

America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362747
09/23/21 05:33 PM
09/23/21 05:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
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Pike River Offline OP
trapper
Pike River  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
I already have an inline that i bought for a season extender about 20 years ago. I want to hunt with it just for fun but I dont like finicky guns.

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362775
09/23/21 06:20 PM
09/23/21 06:20 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Montana
D
D.T. Offline
trapper
D.T.  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Montana
The percussion has better ignition. Period. The flintlock will be more finicky. That said there is no reason to get one over the other, other than your personal preference. My cap feels like a cartridge rifle. The flint…. sometimes, only sometimes ill sip my coffee after pulling the trigger, come back, and shoulder the gun in time for it to go off. Its a great gun, but the caplock is better technology.

I love building guns and there are a lot of good easy builds with CVA, traditions, etc. Track of the wolf and Jedediah Starr trading company have lots to choose from. Kits and ready to go guns

I have shot plenty of deer with my (PRB) patch and roundball .45. Cap. Was even thinking of taking it for a bear this year. Most will say its to light. My experience is everything falls to the ground after it goes off. 50 is the standard big game caliber and easiest to find. Most feel more comfortable with the caliber for big game. Definitely rifled. PRB needs a slow twist. Order a Jedediah catalog and get going!

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362776
09/23/21 06:24 PM
09/23/21 06:24 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 4,951
rogers city mi.
J
jeff karsten Offline
trapper
jeff karsten  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 4,951
rogers city mi.
I've owned and shot 30 some muzzlers of every configuration and brand still have 18 The one i've used and had the most enjoyment with is a Thompson center 12 ga. on a New Englander stock cyl. bore Wouldn't think twice about shooting a deer at 40 or so yards with a .735 patched ball Cramps up Turkeys to 35 yards furthest i ever shot at one with 75 grains 2 half in. wonder wads and 1 1/8 oz. #5 shot you can back off to 45 grains and 1 oz for a 25 yard small game shooter however 1 1/8 of 5's seem to hold the best pattern. Right now i picked up a cva bolt with a rusted up bore and reamed it to 28 gauge but haven't shot it enough to comment All this is MOHOP so its worth nothing but you can see the way i'm leaning


olden tyred
Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362791
09/23/21 06:48 PM
09/23/21 06:48 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
L
Lugnut Offline
trapper
Lugnut  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
Some years ago the Game Commission eliminated center-fire rifles during the extended (late) deer season in my area. PA has a dedicated primitive/flintlock season during that time period. I think we are the only state that has one. I bought a flintlock just for that season.

Prior to that I shot a percussion (cap lock) muzzleloader. The flinter is definitely more finicky. But over the last several years I've done my homework and learned my lessons and it is now a very reliable weapon as long as you keep the powder dry (pan powder especially), keep a good flint in it, etc.

I've only had one failure to fire and have killed a dozen or more deer with it. The one failure to fire was while a doe was standing broadside forty yards out, it was a damp day. Luckily, she stopped and looked at me after the "click" and I was able to recock and lower the frizzen. It fired on that second attempt and that fat doe went home with me.

We also have an October "muzzleloader" season during which any muzzleloader is legal (inlines, cap locks and my flinter).


Eh...wot?

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Lugnut] #7362798
09/23/21 07:05 PM
09/23/21 07:05 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,488
New Hampshire
N
Nessmuck Offline
trapper
Nessmuck  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,488
New Hampshire
Originally Posted by Lugnut
Some years ago the Game Commission eliminated center-fire rifles during the extended (late) deer season in my area. PA has a dedicated primitive/flintlock season during that time period. I think we are the only state that has one. I bought a flintlock just for that season.

Prior to that I shot a percussion (cap lock) muzzleloader. The flinter is definitely more finicky. But over the last several years I've done my homework and learned my lessons and it is now a very reliable weapon as long as you keep the powder dry (pan powder especially), keep a good flint in it, etc.

I've only had one failure to fire and have killed a dozen or more deer with it. The one failure to fire was while a doe was standing broadside forty yards out, it was a damp day. Luckily, she stopped and looked at me after the "click" and I was able to recock and lower the frizzen. It fired on that second attempt and that fat doe went home with me.

We also have an October "muzzleloader" season during which any muzzleloader is legal (inlines, cap locks and my flinter).


Wish we had a Flintlock season….Yinz guys have it right !


It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Nessmuck] #7362801
09/23/21 07:11 PM
09/23/21 07:11 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,892
new york
M
mike mason Offline
trapper
mike mason  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,892
new york
Best time in the woods! The deer have calmed down and if snow, great still hunting.

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362806
09/23/21 07:15 PM
09/23/21 07:15 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,488
New Hampshire
N
Nessmuck Offline
trapper
Nessmuck  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,488
New Hampshire
I shoot a Flintah…Cuz I shave with a Straight Razor. Guys that shoot caps …use Bic Disposables…lol [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362813
09/23/21 07:24 PM
09/23/21 07:24 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 366
South West Pennsylvania
W
Wingshot Offline
trapper
Wingshot  Offline
trapper
W

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 366
South West Pennsylvania
IMHO the deal with today’s muzzle loaders is simple. You get what you pay for. A well made (hand built by a craftsman) flintlock is going to be scary quick and super reliable, cap guns can and do fail but what’s even more important for someone who’s never had any experience with one is to spend a lot of time learning to shoot it well. There are some mass produced ML guns that’ll preform well, my old Lyman Great Plains Rifle is one of them. Smoothbore vs. Rifle you ask? A smoothie will give you the ability to hunt both large and small game but again, much is required as it relates to practice and working up loads that’ll give you what you’re after. Whatever you decide, buy the best you can afford and find a mentor that’s got some gray in his beard to get you flying right.



Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Nessmuck] #7362841
09/23/21 08:29 PM
09/23/21 08:29 PM
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
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Pike River Offline OP
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Pike River  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Nessmuck
I shoot a Flintah…Cuz I shave with a Straight Razor. Guys that shoot caps …use Bic Disposables…lol

Caps it is then!
[Linked Image]

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362868
09/23/21 09:03 PM
09/23/21 09:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 605
Central PA, God's Country
PAlltheway Offline
trapper
PAlltheway  Offline
trapper

Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 605
Central PA, God's Country
Got my first caplock rifle this summer, just for the early season. Have been hunting with a .54 flint both early and late seasons. They are both rewarding to hunt with, but the flintlock definitely takes more practice and has more little parts that all have to line up just right. Good luck!

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362906
09/23/21 09:52 PM
09/23/21 09:52 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,365
east central WI
K
k snow Offline
trapper
k snow  Offline
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K

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,365
east central WI
Percussion caps are more reliable, and definitely less finicky than a flinter. That said, flinter reliability really comes down to the shooter and their habits. Do you have a sharp flint? Clean frizzen? Clear touch hole? Primed the way your lock likes it? I have been shooting flint for 18 years, rifle and smooth. If you want range (100 yards) go with a rifle. If you want versatility, go with a smoothbore. I love my 62's, but I lose deer hunting accuracy at about 40 yards. My 54 rifle will hold a 4 inch group at 100, with patched round ball.
Flinters also need real black powder, none of the modern substitutes. Flints are scarce right now also, but then again so are caps and powder.
I love all my flinters, haven't shot a cap since I got my first one. Each one is a bit different, you definitely have to spend time with them and learn the gun. Flinters will also amplify all of your technique flaws. Once you become a good flint shooter, your centerfire shooting will be even better.
If you are ever down around Sheboygan County, I'd be more than happy to help.
Did I mention flinters are just dead sexy?
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362933
09/23/21 10:34 PM
09/23/21 10:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,147
Happy Valley
CoonsBane Offline
trapper
CoonsBane  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,147
Happy Valley
A flintlock isn't finicky if you know what you're doing.

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362947
09/23/21 10:52 PM
09/23/21 10:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,382
Green County Wisconsin
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GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
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G

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,382
Green County Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Pike River
Originally Posted by Nessmuck
I shoot a Flintah…Cuz I shave with a Straight Razor. Guys that shoot caps …use Bic Disposables…lol

Caps it is then!
[Linked Image]

what if I don't shave at all?


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362952
09/23/21 10:58 PM
09/23/21 10:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,213
NE
M
Marty B Offline
"arbitrary noob"
Marty B  Offline
"arbitrary noob"
M

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,213
NE
Well, one thing to think about....



If you touch off a flinter out the window of your truck, it turns the cab of your truck into an instant Cheech n Chong movie.




[Linked Image]

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7362953
09/23/21 10:59 PM
09/23/21 10:59 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,382
Green County Wisconsin
G
GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
trapper
GREENCOUNTYPETE  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,382
Green County Wisconsin
if your on a budget and an entry level gun the cap locks are a lot less expensive

might be a good starter , the nice part about TC is they were decent quality and parts are still fairly easy to find

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/911207351


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE] #7363003
09/24/21 05:22 AM
09/24/21 05:22 AM
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
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Pike River Offline OP
trapper
Pike River  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
Originally Posted by GREENCOUNTYPETE
Originally Posted by Pike River

Caps it is then!
[Linked Image]

what if I don't shave at all?

Then you're expected to ambush the critter and kill with your bare hands or a rock.

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE] #7363005
09/24/21 05:24 AM
09/24/21 05:24 AM
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
P
Pike River Offline OP
trapper
Pike River  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5,570
Dunbar, Wisconsin
Originally Posted by GREENCOUNTYPETE
if your on a budget and an entry level gun the cap locks are a lot less expensive

might be a good starter , the nice part about TC is they were decent quality and parts are still fairly easy to find

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/911207351

I'm by no means a gun nut. TC went out of business?

If I understand correctly, the longer the barrel, the slower the twist? Can I shoot conical bullets like a minie ball out of a 1:60?

Re: Smoke Pole Question [Re: Pike River] #7363042
09/24/21 06:47 AM
09/24/21 06:47 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,032
PA
M
marathonman Offline
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marathonman  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,032
PA
get yourself a Lyman Deerstalker .50 cal flintlock..one of the better shooting blackpowder rifles out of the box shooters

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