Flintlock rifles

R

Rottweiler72

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2025
Messages
17
Anyone shooting or hunting with flintlocks?
I have built 2 of them and can't seem to hit a darn thing passed 15 yards.
First flintlock I built was a hawken style
With more of a fussil butt stock.
The second was a Jim Chambers kit.
Was supposed to be a English sporting rifle. Neither one I can shoot worth a crap. For those that have been shooting flint locks how much learning curve did you have to go through?
 

Attachments

  • IMG20250116153332.webp
    IMG20250116153332.webp
    1 MB
  • IMG20250116153318.webp
    IMG20250116153318.webp
    458.5 KB
  • IMG20250709090743.webp
    IMG20250709090743.webp
    609.9 KB
  • IMG20250709090759.webp
    IMG20250709090759.webp
    177 KB
  • IMG20250709090921.webp
    IMG20250709090921.webp
    582.6 KB
I have a hawken style as well but haven't shot it in a long while. The last time out, I hit a reduced A/C target at 60 yards with it.

Not sure if that is good or mediocre 🤷‍♂️
 
Those flintlocks in the pics are awesome, that English rifle kit looks sharp.
My .50 Traditions took time to shoot right, I use 65 gr FFFg and .495 ball with .020 patch for 50-yard groups.
Dull flints mess up my shots too.
 
I gave a buddy's flintlock a whirl once, and let me tell you, I spent more time making smoke signals than hitting targets. It took me three tries just to scare a squirrel. Did you ever try hunting squirrels with yours?
 
Start close on a rest while you lock in a consistent cheek weld, steady aim, and a smooth trigger press...also make your patch and ball fit snug..you can keep charge and seating consistent, clean fouling often, and check the lock timing and crown for proper ignition, that's my two cents.
 
Thank you guys for your response. At this point my problem is flinching and trigger squeezing. I guess I'm better at building the flintlocks than shooting them. Kibler rifles is coming out with a Hawken percussion kit that I'd like to build but they are pricey starting out at $1500. Anybody looking for someone that wants a 58 caliber flint lock I might sell the English sporting rifle for what I bought the kit for. You can look up the price at Jim Chmbers flintlocks .
 

Similar threads

R
Building My First AR-15: Need Your Thoughts
Replies
2
Views
88
UTBMXCruiser
U
R
Dressing for the Range: Less is More?
Replies
0
Views
102
rg115
R

Latest posts

Back
Top