Hello

I have never had or used a muzzleloader, but I am getting more and more interested in getting one and try out that world to.For target and hunting.

But, there are flintlock rifles and percussion rifles.
I guess it is like asking, what cal. to start with.....But, I give it a try, for a first timer, what is the easiest way?

The flintlock looks very good, cool, but is it hard to make function when it is a wet and rainy day, stalking the deer? Or just the same problems with them bough?

I think it's easiest to start with a percussion gun and move to flintlock if you like the format.

In addition to the issues you listed, flintlock guns are harder to shoot accurately due to the delayed lock time. You will have more hangfires and failures to fire with flints, even when weather is good. Just the nature of the beast.

Hi

Thanks for the information.

If you're interested in flintlocks don't hesitate to get a flintlock. A fine tuned flint is very fast, and hang fires etc. are rare. They do take more care in wet weather. I've been using the same flint in my rifle for the last 3 years with no problems. Is it as simple as a precussion, no, but is not difficult to master.

It sometimes takes a little work to tune a flint, but if it is a quality flinter, not much.

Thanks for the reply.
Well, if it is not THAt hard, maybe I start with flint. They also do look way better....
Can I ask what rifle you have and what you hunt?

I have a Lyman Great Plains Rifle in .54. This is the cheapest good rifle I'd buy in a flintlock.

Some things to remember when using a flintlock:

1 Use a good sharp flint, either english or french.

2 Learn what kind of primer and how much to prime. My rifle likes about a third full prime in the pan for best ignition, yours might like it full. The amount of prime makes a difference. Prime with nothing larger than 3f. Some rifle prefer 4f, mine doesn't care, either will do for it. 3f seems to absorb less moisture on a foggy morning, or during a rain. By the way I use 3f as my main charge, about 90 grains for my hunting load.

3 You might have to drill out the touch-hole just a little to get reliable ignition. I had to on my rifle and it made a world of difference.

4 Go to a traditional muzzleloading web site and learn from those who have learned.

At this stage in my game, I do not feel the slightest bit handicapped hunting in good weather with a flinter vs a caplock. With just a bit of time with one you won't either.

I hunt deer with mine. I've killed five over the course of the last 3 years, no issues what so ever. Here is my last.

Thanks for helping me.
Sounds like you really enjoy your rifle.
Will go to some muzzleloading forums and ask more.

Don't be so hasty to dismiss the flinter; I have had more problems with caplocks than flintlocks. The reason is that the flash channel on a cap lock is very small and very long and tends to get gummed up easily. OTOH, the flintlock flash channel is paper thin; and if you use sharp flints in a good lock, you won't have problems. And the delay is not much in a good lock (not a cheap Spanish one, which will make you frustrated). If you want 100% reliability, get an inline and use shotgun primers; of course, those are like shooting a 30-06 so the "feel" of a real muzzleloader is completely gone.

Thanks for the reply.
Well, IF I go for the flinter, it will be made on a good lock, a good gun. It have to work.
Nothing more frustrating than having a gun that is not working.

If you want meat on the table, get an inline.
If your looking more for the experience of it....get a flint lock.

looks like meat to me

Sure does.
What rifle you used?

That's my GPR .54 flinter, my meat rifle.