My first flintlock

[Hanz]

Ordered this "Iron Pennsylvania" from TVM back in September and received it the beginning of June. I'm happy with the fit and finish. It also it nice and light - feels great in the hand.



Got it out and shot it today. I never shot a flintlock before. I concentrated extra hard on my follow through. I'm pleased with the results. I rarely shoot offhand and this should get me the practice I need. It's a .50 cal with a 42" swamped barrel.



I'm still goofing with the sights a bit - that Wyoming Sight Drifter is an excellent tool!

[Don McDowell]

Gorgeous rifle Hanz
Biggest trick with a flint gun I’d to not use to much powder in the pan.
Keep us up to speed on your journey with that beaty

[Steve Anderson]

Good looking muzzle loader!

[Hanz]

Thanks guys, I'm glad I went with the 'red' finish.

You nailed it Don, I learned that one right away, hahahaha. I thought more might be good for insurance and when I fired I couldn't believe how much of a 'fireball' I saw. That's when I decided that enough to work is plenty.

[Rick Mulhern]

Flintlocks can be very accurate! This is from a .50 caliber Hawken made by Tom Watson over in Georgia! Shot this from 100 yards and the two shots at the top of the bull are when I was figuring out how much of the front sight NOT to hold at this distance! This rifle continues to give me this type of accuracy and shoots mighty fine out to 200 yards. I use a .490 PRB with a 0.018" thick pillow ticking patch lubed with Canola oil. 100 grs. KIK 2F with 4F in the pan.

100yd by Sharps Man, on Flickr

Tom Watson Flinter by Sharps Man, on Flickr

[Hanz]

Fantastic looking rifle and group, Rick. Interesting patch box.

I hope to tighten the groups up once the set triggers are working properly and I get more trigger time. We shall see.

[Kurt]

Hanz, hey that's my middle name that is a fine rifle. Once you get past looking at what the pan is doing you will do some fine shooting.

Follow through is the key for accuracy. If you have a chance to watch George Sutton on the outdoor channel pay close attention the way he loads and watch his eyes and the way he follows through.

I like to load with a down feather vent pick in the flash hole or a regular pick that for me makes a faster ignition that is like my percussion Hawken.
When you start shooting the flint you will attract an audience, it happens at our range when I pull the rifle out and start loading it. I tell them to stay away from the lock or you will be getting hit with hot powder


I had a guy come from behind once just as I set it off and he got tattooed.

[mherth]

That is one beautiful rifle. Always preferred iron furniture to brass. It’s the lines of muzzlelosders that make them beautiful.

[Hanz]

Thanks guys.

I'll have to try that. It seemed to be pretty fast but I don't have anything to compare it to. I have a slow motion video of me firing it, I'll see if I can get it uploaded and share it here.