Wildwilley
New member
The PA regular deer season is almost at an end.
Flintlock season is almost at hand. Some of you may get flinters for Christmas. (Or already have.)
Here are some tips that have searved me well over the years.
1. When casting lead balls. Only use pure lead. Additives in lead make it harder to remove from the barrel and may accumulate in the groves of your barrel. This usually can not be cleaned without pulling the breech plug. Only use 100% pure lead.
2. Try to get good English, French, or German flints. Those which have been knapped not cut.
The Thompson Center lapidary flints are only good for about three shots per side and are expensive. Buy them in the correct size for your gun.
3. In damp weather the priming powder may not go off every time. An additive such as, "Powder Dry" can be added to retard moisture. Follow the directions on the bottle and this will help the ignition on those damp days.
4. Make sure the sparks from the frizzen land in the pan. Many times the sparks travel past the flash pan and miss the priming powder. Adjust your flint to where it showers the depression with a good amount of sparks.
5. If your getting few sparks it may be from a dull flint. Your flint should be have a saw tooth type edge. If your flint is dull, empty your flash pan, and tap the edge of the flint with your knife or use a metal object to knap little knicks in the edge. You'll get more sparks.
6. Be very careful of static electricity. This can set off your gunpowder.
These are some tips to make sure your gun fires when you want it to. Good luck and good huntin'
Flintlock season is almost at hand. Some of you may get flinters for Christmas. (Or already have.)
Here are some tips that have searved me well over the years.
1. When casting lead balls. Only use pure lead. Additives in lead make it harder to remove from the barrel and may accumulate in the groves of your barrel. This usually can not be cleaned without pulling the breech plug. Only use 100% pure lead.
2. Try to get good English, French, or German flints. Those which have been knapped not cut.
The Thompson Center lapidary flints are only good for about three shots per side and are expensive. Buy them in the correct size for your gun.
3. In damp weather the priming powder may not go off every time. An additive such as, "Powder Dry" can be added to retard moisture. Follow the directions on the bottle and this will help the ignition on those damp days.
4. Make sure the sparks from the frizzen land in the pan. Many times the sparks travel past the flash pan and miss the priming powder. Adjust your flint to where it showers the depression with a good amount of sparks.
5. If your getting few sparks it may be from a dull flint. Your flint should be have a saw tooth type edge. If your flint is dull, empty your flash pan, and tap the edge of the flint with your knife or use a metal object to knap little knicks in the edge. You'll get more sparks.
6. Be very careful of static electricity. This can set off your gunpowder.
These are some tips to make sure your gun fires when you want it to. Good luck and good huntin'