Real black powder and percussion caps seem to be about equally hard to find. I've been lucky to find several hundred caps at the local Bass Pro and have gone to making black powder myself. I admit I still have a way to go to get my powder up to Swiss quality.
I'm sorry, Swiss is not the end all powder (to Fucking expensive). Good yes, but to fucking pricy. Bass pro had it for 35 dollars for half pound. WTF? Fuck it. To many of these BP channels promote the Swiss like some kind of snobs of something. *Make what works for you, improve your process. You don't need to puck your powder, that is just extra picky and extra equipment to buy. its also VERY dangerous.* it helps true, but its not necessary... I make good powder without all the bullshit. Fuck them, they that stick their noses at everyone.
A couple of tips on your powder. Make your charcoal out of a high quality toilet paper that is free of any kind of moisturizer. Then, be sure to ball mill your dry ingredients for at least 72 hours. Also, be sure you use enough pressure while pucking - a 20-ton press is a must.
@TDINWY It depends on situation cap, and ball was invented to be more weather-resistant, as well so there would not be a plume of smoke scaring off prey.
I was a kid in the 70s when i figured out the flintlock was the easiest gun to keep running if supplies were cut. You can quartz that will work all around. Might not be flint or chert, but it will spark.
Hello, N-SSA shooter here. More the annual 5-10 pounds of BP class of competitor. Add another 10+ for team artillery. I am so traditionally percussion that I'd be embarrassed if I wasn't right. However, I'd start a new shooter on an in-line. Learn all the fundamentals - Check Readily available components, including PB substitutes - Check Reliable priming system - Check Cleaning can be verified - Check Can be done individually - Check Let's say a first time shooter takes his brand new flintlock to the range. Many ranges ostracize them already, far right positions only. Roundball under muzzle diameter, goes without saying. Now patch thickness, how tight is too tight, how loose is too loose? Pick something and load after pouring powder down the barrel. Almost ready to shoot. Prime. Same 2F powder, 3F, 4F is designed for priming, so that? Still a crap shoot, as you cannot tell what will happen when you drop the hammer. Let's go with the finest powder, hoping for the best results. Full cock the hammer, aim, squeeze, click. What now? Reprime and try again. Bang is good, no bang is bad. How do you evaluate the spark your flint provides? Is it directed properly? It won't fire, did you buy a ball puller to make it safe? What now? First time in-line shooter experiences the same problems. Opens firearm, pulls breech plug, uses ramrod to expel charge and ball. Goes to gunsmith. I pick scenario 2!
Got 2 buck deer with 54 flint lock and one a 10 pointer at 100 yards in minus 20 weather came in at 290 lbs but used a power belt conical 340 gr good video
I have been shooting & hunting with Muzzleloaders since the 1970's My favorite is the Pedersoli Classic Side-by-Side Shotgun - 12 Gauge Percussion. I think In-lines are cheating. I recently won a Traditions Deerhunter Rifle - .50 Cal Percussion, in a raffle, it works great. I bought 200 #11 caps & several pounds of powder from local gun/sports shops, Walmart was out of both.
Very well said Ethan! You have a great channel and your Love for Muzzleloading blasts through the screen. Like any other art, craft or interest, what counts is the spirit in which it is done. Just line a good well made lock compared to a factory line one. As a cabinetmaker and restorer of period furniture, one can feel that spirit that is key to the quality. I restored my 1829 69 cal. Musket. It was converted to cap lock in the 1840s and how I wish it was still flint lock. It was Army issue and used in the Civil War and who knows what else. I always say muzzle loading is line shooting history. It connects us with our Ancestors and gives us an appreciation for all they achieved that we enjoy today. Kind Thanks and Keep Your Powder Muzzled! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
If you havent explored making black rifle powder youre truely missing out on a very satisfying and extremely liberating aspect of the sport. All ingredients needed to make it can be purchased at home depot. Its quite simple to make, is very accurate and youll never have to worry about where or if youll be able to get it again. Making it is just as safe as carrying a pound of it strapped to your body while hiking in the field. No more danger in it than that. I shoot 5 to 7 pounds per year. Other than building my custom flintlocks...shooting my homemade black powder gives me extreme satisfaction. UA-cam has tons of tutorials on how to make it.....take your freedom back! Explore this fascinating and extremely satisfying aspect of muzzleloading! Youll be so very glad you did!
I was fortunate to buy two Kibler kits as my first muzzleloaders. No misfires or hang fires so far (knock on wood) even after letting a charge set in the barrel for three days while hunting. Thank you for the great advice.
Flintlock. After that then if you can afford it and want another muzzleloader, get another flintlock, perhaps a Fowler or Northwest Trade Gun, then perhaps consider a third flintlock. After this you may want another flintlock and this is normal, encouraged behavior. Perhaps somewhere along the way, a historically accurate percussion Leman or J HENRY and if you want to have a gun no one else has perhaps a Hawken. However any of these would be better as a flintlock. 😂love the channel my friend. Hope to shoot with you sometime.
Yep, it's a passion!! Found my first fainter at a yard sale. Price was right and started my love for flintlocking and back into history. Great time well spent with muzzleloading. Great video as always!!
Before I even watch the video I'm going to say this about my experience with a muzzle loader. I was an idiot. Well I still might be how would i know. I bought a cheep flintlock knowing nothing of flint locks. Said rifle was a CVA mountain rifle circa 1970's in 50 cal. Long story short, the import locks are not good at all and the flint was good for about five shot if i was lucky. the lock was converted to a percussion lock. CVA parts are pretty close to interchangeable. rifle shoots much better now. I'll buy a Kibler's wood runner in the future and get a real flintlock.
I could tell this was coming... primers & caps have been getting harder and harder to come by. I was fortunate enough to find a flintlock long rifle at a rendezvous for a good price a couple years ago. Yes, it takes a little bit more getting used to (especially the lock time) however it's still very consistent from shot to shot. I am sad to say though that here in Sonoma County, CA the interest in traditional muzzleloading is dwindling and our club (Sonoma Valley Muzzleloaders) is pretty lean on shooters, which brings another excellent point! If anyone is even interested in getting into this sport, absolutely look up your local club. You could probably go out with them and experience first hand the pros & cons of percussion and flint before even making a purchase, and who knows? Maybe someone in the club has something they are willing to offer you at a good price too.
Gotta say I agree. I have a Zouave rifle. I wasn’t able to shoot it for a while due to living arrangements. That said. I can’t tell you how many times I haven’t been able to secure musket caps.
I bought a lyman GPR flinter right out of the gate. Where I am caps & primers are near impossible to find. Everything with the flinter you can DIY. I learned to swim when my paps tossed me in the deep end of the pool.
I have been looking for percussion caps non stop for a year; locally it’s not happened, definitely a non starter for now. Going to look at converting at least one rifle to a rock lock for next year
I just got my first muzzle loader. For fun, and for a little hunting. Its a traditions deer hunter percussion. If id known that caps were as hard to find right now as large rifle primers, i would have gotten the flintlock. Maybe i can convince my uncle to sell me his when he's in town.
I got my flintlock because I didn't want to have to rely on the availability of caps to shoot. As long as I can buy KN03 and Sulfur (can even do without sulfur in a pinch, will just have lower velocity and need to use a bit more powder) I can make my own Black Powder, and even if I couldn't buy flints, I could find something that will work as a flint on the ground and shape it myself. All I need is flint, lead, and KN03 and I can shoot.
I was lucky enough for my Dad to build my first muzzleloader (CVA .45 Kentucky Rifle) from a kit 40 years ago which I still have. Percussion or Flint, both are good ignition type. I have to confess though, since I started shooting Matchlocks 25 years ago..I REALLY love the Matchlock! Still all are a fun to shoot! Just practice safe loading!
Thank you good sir for this awesome content I myself am just getting started in 2024 I can’t find caps of any kind anywhere but just started pressing my own compound should be here in a couple of days, wish me luck! Once again thank you
Good description Ethan. I think a beginner will be happy with either percussion or flint. Unfortunately, like you said, availability of components might have to influence your decision.
For used and entry find a good T/C . Pretty good locks and mine are VERY reliable igniters. Traditions shoot well IME but can be a little more picky about ignition
Just a note, some states are starting to catch on and their extended hunting seasons do not allow inline rifles. Others are granulated powder only, no pellets. And I think I read one state has an extended season that requires patched round ball which might even remove using the REAL bullets. And I'm fine with that, the inline is just another high power single shot rifle to me, the type of propellant doesn't really matter, especially when firing modern copper clad ammo with expanding tip technology, etc. I know I'll get some hate, but inline are just a hunting loophole to me. A modern scoped rifle with a loading hindrance to "comply" with the laws as written, but not the spirit of the laws. Might as well just let people use black powder loaded 50-70 or 50-100 in a single shot rifle.
My thoughts exactly. I got into muzzleloading about 25 years ago with a Traditions Hawken Woodsman percussion. My dad got a Pedersoli Blue Ridge percussion a few years later, but he didn't shoot it much. He's now wanting to shoot it more, but he only has a partial tin of caps. I want to try to talk him into getting a flintlock because flints can be found anywhere
Ok. I'm old fashioned but you did forget matchlock and wheel lock. I've owned and used both. Lots of fun at the range and you get to meet a lot of people when they see what your shooting
I LOVE your videos Ethan!! I just finished my first Investarms Gemmer Hawken (.50 caliber) and I've already started on a second (.54 caliber), using your videos and ESPECIALLY the one you made with Mr. Woodfill describing how to "correct" the errors in the kit to create a more faithful replica Hawken! One of the BEST things that came out of all of the ammo and percussion cap shortages since 2020, in my opinion, was the surging availability of handy percussion cap DIES and the ingredients for making your own caps!! I would love to see you do a video around some of these!! THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD and obviously PASSIONATE WORK!!!
Ethan, great video as usual! I am working on a series of survival books and, as far as flintlocks go, you and I are surely tracking... I think this is my new favorite video and it didn't even have that craa-aack and puff of smoke I so enjoy seeing. We the community need to share this video. Blessings...
If you build a custom rifle you can find companies like L&R that make some models of percussion locks and Flintlocks that have plates that are identical. So, if you build the rifle as a drum and nipple percussion you can easily remove the drum and screw in a touch-hole liner and install the flint lock in the rifle. Then you can change back and forth from flint to percussion as you prefer based on what's available at any given time.
I wanted a TC Flintlock Hawken since I saw one in a Cabela's magazine years ago. 2004 found one .50 cal in a gun store brand new. Fine tuned it over the years, still have it and hunt with it.Traded another gun for a CVA .54 Hawken later that I am slowly building into another awesome flint hunting rifle. I know where to get flint, and getting set up to make my own powder.
Hiya Ethan! I fell into the "Flintlock Camp" of this choice at an early age. I was watching Disney on TV back in the early '60's, and the series "The Long Rifle" was on. Slim Pickens, as Old Bill Williams, knelt down, and pulled the trigger on his rifle. The resulting sparks ignited the charcloth. Soon the gathered tinder caught flame... and a roaring fire was going strong. "Try that with a percussion cap!", he said... and I was hooked! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! This was a good introduction to the choices a beginner faces.
This is good to know. One can never have too many ways to start a fire, if it is an emergency in the Great Outdoors. In my defense... I was six years old at the time and had no way to test out the proposition... so I took it as Gospel.@@GunDrone
You are 100% right👍 this day and age if the shit hits the fan the things you need are accessible. Flint powder, lead, bed sheets 😁 you can still protect yourself and loved ones.. there are not to different from a cap lock if you really look at it as far as mechanics.. great video as always. Oh and to add "browning" a barrel is actually pretty easy, I did my Hawkens last week 👍 for anyone out there give it a shot you'll love the brown over the blue as I did.
Jeremiah Johnson all the way , is when i got into black powder. Flint lock is a romance in my opinion.. percussion is all around easier to get and safer. Never had issues getting what i needed
After todays issues with percussion caps and 209 primers ....I'd almost recommend a flintlock as your first rifle. Percussion caps and 209 primers are non-existant or stupidly expensive.. If you have never shot a flintlock, you haven't developed any bad habits learning to use a flint gun or flinching. For 250 years, people only had a flintlock to choose from. It is almost the same today.
I inherited two percussion cap muzzle loaders in 50 and 54 both are from T/C they are at least 40 years old in excellent condition. For now I have all the powder and caps and balls I need for them but if I had to survive on them then by no means will I have enough caps and balls or powder. When I get enough money I am planning to get my youngest his own flintlock rifle because he is into American history. Also I plan on learning to make my own powder I already have 50 lbs of lead ingots
Why not just make your own black powder? Balsah is easy to obtain on Scamazon as well as sulfur and potassium nitrate. I quick trip to the hazard freight for a rock polisher aka ball mill and a few tutorials and you can do what the frontiersman has done for centuries.
From my admittedly limited experience, I think I'd feel more comfortable with owning a reliable percussion rifle to start with. Like you said, finding materials can sometimes be tricky, but good news is percussion caps should last for years (decades?) if stored properly, right?
Thanks Ethanalways enjoy your stuff would love to get into a flintlock. Maybe this summer will be the time . Hard to find caps up here to. East central Saskatchewan. Keep up the good work
I like your videos very much and I’ve got a newer traditions black powder gun but been looking at the idea of getting a kit for a winter project thanks for the advice of spending a more on a kit to get something to pass down later on
Since I just got into muzzleloading a few years ago, if I knew what I know now, I'd go with a cap over a flintlock for hunting to learn with. I've lose a lot of opportunities to hunt because of the issues that plague flintlocks that don't affect caps. Having said that, there is a gratification to getting a flintlock to shoot right. It's really a character building (and testing) craft. Now if you just want to extend your hunting season? Get an inline and go fill tags.
I have shot flintlock for over 30 years. The same rifle. I have had a handful of missed ignitions. That's it. They aren't hard to use. I find cleaning the most irritating part of firing them. Just a lot of time and frustration
There's no magic getting a good flintlock to shoot reliably. Once the mechanics are understood it is a very reliable firearm. It is reliable enough tha once invented it has never stopped being used as a primary firearm somewhere in the world.
Great presentation. I have 11 muzzleloaders. Two of them are antiques, circa 1840, and I shoot them, three flintlocks and the rest percussion. I purchased 10 of the guns at gun shows. My last gun, a flintlock, was a kit gun from Kibler (the Woodsrunner in a 45 cal.). Do I need any more? Yes, but it must be a flintlock.
I've had my Lyman Deerstalker for years. I put it away when I witnessed a man tell the warden (at the firing range) how careful he was with it. As he pushed the ball and patch down the barrel he used his chin to do it. It freaked me out and I left. Please use care when using flintlocks and percussions. I'm getting back into shooting again and want to build my first flintlock. I have plenty of cherry stock but I want to see if I can get one of the kit manufacturers to mill it for me. I'm thinking about Kibler in Ohio.
Flint is great however much more difficult to get supplies for reliable function plus more tinkering. Cap lock is much easier in all ways. If the government would stop screwing around, I would get a flint.
Great video. When I was just starting with muzzleloading about 2 years ago I was really hung up over the whole "flintlock vs cap" question and which should I get first. I ended up going with a Pedersoli Hawker with a flintlock.
I have wanted to get a flintlock for years but I want a good custom built rifle and probably a pistol as well, but don't know where to look. Any suggestions
my boss just bought me my first muzzle loader as a bonus. it is a Kibler woodsrunner .54 cal. he always says "nipples belong on a woman not a gun" lol he owns probably close to 100 flintlocks and not a single percussion
I've got an old Navy Arms/Pedersoli Pennsylvania long rifle kit on the way as my first kit. It's coming with a percussion lock, how difficult might it be to convert it to flint?
Hello, sorry for my English language, I'm writing from Poland. I very like Your videos, can You help me ? i want to know something. I have Enfield 1853, hawken's 50 twist 24'', 54 twist 48'' and colt navy 1851. Europe Union try to ban lead ammo in my country, could You tell me about non lead ammo ? Did my gun, traditional muzelloaders able to shoot non lead ammo ? copper ball and bullet or something like that ? Did People in USA hunting with old muzzelloaders like hawkens, Pennsylvania, kentucky with non lead ammo ?
Roto Metals sells bismuth/tin ingots that you can cast into appropriate size balls. Muzzleloaders in California can't use lead when hunting so that is their option. I don't know if bismuth/tin ingots are available in Europe.
@@wwisaacson4807 In Europe Bismuth is available but is 20-25 times more expensive then lead. Modern muzzeloaders can shoot copper bullet with plastic sabot. Hawken can did same too ? or not ?
@@piotr1036 if I was in your position I would try the saboted bullets in the faster twist barrels first. They have a better chance of stabilizing. The problem is going to be finding appropriate sabots and projectiles.
Muzzleloading seems to be particularly susceptible to supply chain issues. I have thought about getting into flintlock, because both percussion caps AND 209 primers can be really hard to come by nowadays. In fact, if it wasn't the 1000 primer brick on a whim for dirt cheep many years ago, i'd be up the proverbial creek without a paddle. What has stopped me getting into flintlocks, is mainly supply of real black powder. At times it's been so scant, there's guys out there who've been learning to make their own. That said, I just checked, and you can buy some online from some retailers, but not others. Frankly I'm surprised to see it at all, but I don't keep tabs on it that closely. Honestly, primer issues aside, the easiest powder to get (and learn) is substitute, but that means getting into inlines, but that circles back to the 209 shortages. Percussion doesn't seem to be any better in this regard. So if one was SERIOUS, it seems like flintlock, and at some point learning to make your own powder might be the way to go. But that takes a degree of dedication (and passion) most guys won't have.
777 in my cap lock has been flawless, and I've been REALLY lucky finding caps. That said, waiting for Everything Black powder to update his guide to making real black powder. The revelation that some toilet paper makes a really good powder means that finding rare wood to make charcoal might be at an end.
I'm going to have to take exception to Your comment ! There's absolutely no shortage of taxes.... just the ability to pay them , sometimes EDIT :!@@Nick-wn1xw I misunderstood Your comment . You are correct !
Nothing beats my flinch-lock! I honestly thought I could use the local quartz as a flint, I learned real quick that wasn't the case. I can't even find chert that would work. Luckily I found a decent chunk in another state I was visiting and I have learned to sort of make my own. Powder was even harder to find here. Not a single place within 200 miles sells real black powder. I broke down and paid the fees and had 5lbs delivered to me. I have learned that a compound load allows me to really stretch it out by loading 10 grains before 55 grains of 777 or Pyrex. Not completely recommended but it ignites every time and shoots well. I can buy the "fake" powder at Academy Sports. I also learned to make my own but still struggling a little. I can't get it to grain well it wants to go back to a fine powder. Still working on it.
You can make your own caps and make your own powder. Flintlocks require....flints! You can order them of course, but you can also knap them yourself. If you really want to get into this hobby..then be self reliant about it. Forget getting ripped off by commercial powders and stupid hazmat fees..and yes they charge hazmat for caps..not worth it. Tap O cap..make your own!
I disagree a little - I'd recomend the percussion cap maker available online along with its prime-all powder. Pyrodex isn't the best but it is accessible and a decent option.
If seeking to purchase a budget flintlock rifle with an outstandingly great lock, look for a used, older, well made, well cared for, flintlock rifle made during the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's. The vast majority of the flintlock rifles from these decades will be equipped with a Siler flintlock, originally designed and produced by Bud Siler. Unlike most of todays ready to install on a gun and shoot Siler locks being sold by Jim Chambers, who purchased the lock business from Bud Siler when he could no longer run it, Siler locks prior to Jim Chambers acquiring the business were only sold in kit form. Fortunately, 99% of those Siler lock kits were assembled and tuned by accomplished machinists and hobbyists who knew what they were doing and the locks are outstanding examples of what can be produced by an American cottage industry niche business. All three of my previously owned flintlock longrifles that were built in the 1970's and 1980's, one semi-custom rifle and two from a plank custom rifles, were equipped with hand assembled, right-hand, large Siler flintlocks, each of which was assembled by the rifle's builder, three different men. All three rifles were stunningly accurate and all three locks were incredibly fast. Out of the thousands upon thousands of shots that I fired out of all three of those rifles I only had three misfires or hangfires across a time frame of more than 14 years. As an aside, during several phone conversations that I have had with Brad Emig, the owner of Cabin Creek Muzzleloading in Hallam, Pennsylvania, who happens to be one of the best flintlock lock tuners and troubleshooters in the United States; he claims, and I have no reason not to believe him, that a well assembled and well tuned Siler flintlock is as fast, or nearly as fast, as any of the highly touted, late English style flintlock locks from Jim Chambers, Jim Kibler, the Rice brothers, Larry Zorne, Chris Laubach, Bob Roller, and several others. Don't sell an older flintlock longrifle short because it wasn't built following the modern ethos to strictly adhere to proper architecture and design elements of a particular school of longrifle. Or, because it was built with a Siler flintlock.
I have a matchlock and shoot it occasionally and also have hunted with it. They are a simple design, but I still would recommend percussion or flint over matchlock for a beginner.
Dear god, why would I want to use an inline which were invented to cheat the system? Precision copper and plastic belted bullets, stainless steel barrel, and with expensive scopes? I can just use a bolt action rifle and get the same result. If I want a big bore I can just use a break open 20ga or 12ga shotgun with slugs which is not much different than an inline. The whole point of muzzleloading seasons it to allow traditional hunting styles to be kept alive. The internet now provides a wealth of information to help new shooters so there's much much less trial and error involved.
Do NOT buy a budget flintlock rifle. Spend the money and buy a quality rifle. The lock is the heart of the rifle and the "entry level" flintlocks do not have quality locks. Some of the Pedersoli's are kind of OK. But once you get your hands on a quality rifle with a quality lock you'll understand. For a beginner, the Kibler kits are the best bang for the buck if you can't afford a custom/semi custom build.
Luckily, I hoarded a bunch of caps because I still can't remember which percussion gun takes which cap size so I end up buying a bunch of both every time and worse case I can buy some different size nipples. I'm not exactly sure how many caps I have. Enough.
As fun as flintlocks are, I'd say they're a poor choice for beginners -- especially for those who want to hunt with them. There's a reason why so many people converted their guns from flintlock to percussion back in the day. They're more reliable and easier to shoot well. As for cap shortages, it's a non-issue. Beer cans and some simple ingredients ordered online (without any hazmat) will give even a dedicated shooter a multi-year supply. I've been shooting MLs for several years now but the time needed to train myself out of that flintlock flinch is more than I can manage. I'm lucky to hit a beer can at 25 yards with a flintlock but I can smack it easily at 50 yards with a percussion. The learning curve is just far easier with a caplock.
Real black powder and percussion caps seem to be about equally hard to find. I've been lucky to find several hundred caps at the local Bass Pro and have gone to making black powder myself. I admit I still have a way to go to get my powder up to Swiss quality.
I would recommend www.youtube.com/@Everythingblackpowder he does tons of experimenting on blackpowder.
I'm sorry, Swiss is not the end all powder (to Fucking expensive). Good yes, but to fucking pricy. Bass pro had it for 35 dollars for half pound. WTF? Fuck it. To many of these BP channels promote the Swiss like some kind of snobs of something. *Make what works for you, improve your process. You don't need to puck your powder, that is just extra picky and extra equipment to buy. its also VERY dangerous.* it helps true, but its not necessary... I make good powder without all the bullshit. Fuck them, they that stick their noses at everyone.
At least you are trying.😊
@@americanman4746 , Trying to be snobs? They succeeded. :)
A couple of tips on your powder. Make your charcoal out of a high quality toilet paper that is free of any kind of moisturizer. Then, be sure to ball mill your dry ingredients for at least 72 hours. Also, be sure you use enough pressure while pucking - a 20-ton press is a must.
Good Job, and you are absolutely right. Primitive seasons should be Flintlock Only! If you can shoot a flintlock well you can shoot ANYTHING.
agree 1000%
@TDINWY It depends on situation cap, and ball was invented to be more weather-resistant, as well so there would not be a plume of smoke scaring off prey.
@TDINWY Also I thought you were for banning modern muzzleloaders. But now I see you just want the primitive season to stay that way.
I was a kid in the 70s when i figured out the flintlock was the easiest gun to keep running if supplies were cut. You can quartz that will work all around. Might not be flint or chert, but it will spark.
Hello, N-SSA shooter here. More the annual 5-10 pounds of BP class of competitor. Add another 10+ for team artillery. I am so traditionally percussion that I'd be embarrassed if I wasn't right. However, I'd start a new shooter on an in-line.
Learn all the fundamentals - Check
Readily available components, including PB substitutes - Check
Reliable priming system - Check
Cleaning can be verified - Check
Can be done individually - Check
Let's say a first time shooter takes his brand new flintlock to the range. Many ranges ostracize them already, far right positions only. Roundball under muzzle diameter, goes without saying. Now patch thickness, how tight is too tight, how loose is too loose? Pick something and load after pouring powder down the barrel. Almost ready to shoot. Prime. Same 2F powder, 3F, 4F is designed for priming, so that? Still a crap shoot, as you cannot tell what will happen when you drop the hammer. Let's go with the finest powder, hoping for the best results. Full cock the hammer, aim, squeeze, click. What now? Reprime and try again. Bang is good, no bang is bad. How do you evaluate the spark your flint provides? Is it directed properly? It won't fire, did you buy a ball puller to make it safe? What now?
First time in-line shooter experiences the same problems. Opens firearm, pulls breech plug, uses ramrod to expel charge and ball. Goes to gunsmith.
I pick scenario 2!
Got 2 buck deer with 54 flint lock and one a 10 pointer at 100 yards in minus 20 weather came in at 290 lbs but used a power belt conical 340 gr good video
I have been shooting & hunting with Muzzleloaders since the 1970's My favorite is the Pedersoli Classic Side-by-Side Shotgun - 12 Gauge Percussion. I think In-lines are cheating.
I recently won a Traditions Deerhunter Rifle - .50 Cal Percussion, in a raffle, it works great. I bought 200 #11 caps & several pounds of powder from local gun/sports shops, Walmart was out of both.
You nailed it! Flintlocks are awesome! There's just something special about them .
Very well said Ethan! You have a great channel and your Love for Muzzleloading blasts through the screen. Like any other art, craft or interest, what counts is the spirit in which it is done. Just line a good well made lock compared to a factory line one. As a cabinetmaker and restorer of period furniture, one can feel that spirit that is key to the quality. I restored my 1829 69 cal. Musket. It was converted to cap lock in the 1840s and how I wish it was still flint lock. It was Army issue and used in the Civil War and who knows what else. I always say muzzle loading is line shooting history. It connects us with our Ancestors and gives us an appreciation for all they achieved that we enjoy today. Kind Thanks and Keep Your Powder Muzzled! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
If you havent explored making black rifle powder youre truely missing out on a very satisfying and extremely liberating aspect of the sport. All ingredients needed to make it can be purchased at home depot. Its quite simple to make, is very accurate and youll never have to worry about where or if youll be able to get it again. Making it is just as safe as carrying a pound of it strapped to your body while hiking in the field. No more danger in it than that. I shoot 5 to 7 pounds per year. Other than building my custom flintlocks...shooting my homemade black powder gives me extreme satisfaction. UA-cam has tons of tutorials on how to make it.....take your freedom back! Explore this fascinating and extremely satisfying aspect of muzzleloading! Youll be so very glad you did!
What are your ratios for black powder?
@@ivanmeza5287check out the UA-cam channel “Everything black powder” he has many videos about making black powder
I was fortunate to buy two Kibler kits as my first muzzleloaders. No misfires or hang fires so far (knock on wood) even after letting a charge set in the barrel for three days while hunting. Thank you for the great advice.
Flintlock. After that then if you can afford it and want another muzzleloader, get another flintlock, perhaps a Fowler or Northwest Trade Gun, then perhaps consider a third flintlock. After this you may want another flintlock and this is normal, encouraged behavior. Perhaps somewhere along the way, a historically accurate percussion Leman or J HENRY and if you want to have a gun no one else has perhaps a Hawken. However any of these would be better as a flintlock. 😂love the channel my friend. Hope to shoot with you sometime.
Yep, it's a passion!! Found my first fainter at a yard sale. Price was right and started my love for flintlocking and back into history. Great time well spent with muzzleloading. Great video as always!!
Honest video that giving me a greater itch to try a flintlock, good job!
Before I even watch the video I'm going to say this about my experience with a muzzle loader.
I was an idiot. Well I still might be how would i know. I bought a cheep flintlock knowing nothing of flint locks. Said rifle was a CVA mountain rifle circa 1970's in 50 cal.
Long story short, the import locks are not good at all and the flint was good for about five shot if i was lucky. the lock was converted to a percussion lock. CVA parts are pretty close to interchangeable. rifle shoots much better now.
I'll buy a Kibler's wood runner in the future and get a real flintlock.
I could tell this was coming... primers & caps have been getting harder and harder to come by. I was fortunate enough to find a flintlock long rifle at a rendezvous for a good price a couple years ago. Yes, it takes a little bit more getting used to (especially the lock time) however it's still very consistent from shot to shot. I am sad to say though that here in Sonoma County, CA the interest in traditional muzzleloading is dwindling and our club (Sonoma Valley Muzzleloaders) is pretty lean on shooters, which brings another excellent point! If anyone is even interested in getting into this sport, absolutely look up your local club. You could probably go out with them and experience first hand the pros & cons of percussion and flint before even making a purchase, and who knows? Maybe someone in the club has something they are willing to offer you at a good price too.
Gotta say I agree. I have a Zouave rifle. I wasn’t able to shoot it for a while due to living arrangements. That said. I can’t tell you how many times I haven’t been able to secure musket caps.
I bought a lyman GPR flinter right out of the gate. Where I am caps & primers are near impossible to find. Everything with the flinter you can DIY. I learned to swim when my paps tossed me in the deep end of the pool.
I have been looking for percussion caps non stop for a year; locally it’s not happened, definitely a non starter for now. Going to look at converting at least one rifle to a rock lock for next year
I just got my first muzzle loader. For fun, and for a little hunting.
Its a traditions deer hunter percussion.
If id known that caps were as hard to find right now as large rifle primers, i would have gotten the flintlock.
Maybe i can convince my uncle to sell me his when he's in town.
I got my flintlock because I didn't want to have to rely on the availability of caps to shoot. As long as I can buy KN03 and Sulfur (can even do without sulfur in a pinch, will just have lower velocity and need to use a bit more powder) I can make my own Black Powder, and even if I couldn't buy flints, I could find something that will work as a flint on the ground and shape it myself. All I need is flint, lead, and KN03 and I can shoot.
This reminds me of your old videos of flying the King Air. I can remember your 1st officer doing his first flight for paying customers.
I was lucky enough for my Dad to build my first muzzleloader (CVA .45 Kentucky Rifle) from a kit 40 years ago which I still have. Percussion or Flint, both are good ignition type. I have to confess though, since I started shooting Matchlocks 25 years ago..I REALLY love the Matchlock! Still all are a fun to shoot! Just practice safe loading!
Thank you good sir for this awesome content I myself am just getting started in 2024 I can’t find caps of any kind anywhere but just started pressing my own compound should be here in a couple of days, wish me luck! Once again thank you
Good description Ethan. I think a beginner will be happy with either percussion or flint. Unfortunately, like you said, availability of components might have to influence your decision.
For used and entry find a good T/C . Pretty good locks and mine are VERY reliable igniters.
Traditions shoot well IME but can be a little more picky about ignition
Just a note, some states are starting to catch on and their extended hunting seasons do not allow inline rifles. Others are granulated powder only, no pellets. And I think I read one state has an extended season that requires patched round ball which might even remove using the REAL bullets. And I'm fine with that, the inline is just another high power single shot rifle to me, the type of propellant doesn't really matter, especially when firing modern copper clad ammo with expanding tip technology, etc. I know I'll get some hate, but inline are just a hunting loophole to me. A modern scoped rifle with a loading hindrance to "comply" with the laws as written, but not the spirit of the laws. Might as well just let people use black powder loaded 50-70 or 50-100 in a single shot rifle.
My thoughts exactly. I got into muzzleloading about 25 years ago with a Traditions Hawken Woodsman percussion. My dad got a Pedersoli Blue Ridge percussion a few years later, but he didn't shoot it much. He's now wanting to shoot it more, but he only has a partial tin of caps. I want to try to talk him into getting a flintlock because flints can be found anywhere
I went to 209 primers because of this. Make a search for Mag-spark replacement nipple.
Both are cool than inline rifles
If your stuck with percussion, invest on making your own and stocking up mid summer.
Ok. I'm old fashioned but you did forget matchlock and wheel lock. I've owned and used both. Lots of fun at the range and you get to meet a lot of people when they see what your shooting
I LOVE your videos Ethan!! I just finished my first Investarms Gemmer Hawken (.50 caliber) and I've already started on a second (.54 caliber), using your videos and ESPECIALLY the one you made with Mr. Woodfill describing how to "correct" the errors in the kit to create a more faithful replica Hawken! One of the BEST things that came out of all of the ammo and percussion cap shortages since 2020, in my opinion, was the surging availability of handy percussion cap DIES and the ingredients for making your own caps!! I would love to see you do a video around some of these!! THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD and obviously PASSIONATE WORK!!!
Ethan, great video as usual! I am working on a series of survival books and, as far as flintlocks go, you and I are surely tracking... I think this is my new favorite video and it didn't even have that craa-aack and puff of smoke I so enjoy seeing. We the community need to share this video. Blessings...
While i like my Percussion and inline id really like to get my hands on a flintlock
If you build a custom rifle you can find companies like L&R that make some models of percussion locks and Flintlocks that have plates that are identical.
So, if you build the rifle as a drum and nipple percussion you can easily remove the drum and screw in a touch-hole liner and install the
flint lock in the rifle.
Then you can change back and forth from flint to percussion as you prefer based on what's available at any given time.
I wanted a TC Flintlock Hawken since I saw one in a Cabela's magazine years ago. 2004 found one .50 cal in a gun store brand new. Fine tuned it over the years, still have it and hunt with it.Traded another gun for a CVA .54 Hawken later that I am slowly building into another awesome flint hunting rifle. I know where to get flint, and getting set up to make my own powder.
Hiya Ethan! I fell into the "Flintlock Camp" of this choice at an early age. I was watching Disney on TV back in the early '60's, and the series "The Long Rifle" was on. Slim Pickens, as Old Bill Williams, knelt down, and pulled the trigger on his rifle. The resulting sparks ignited the charcloth. Soon the gathered tinder caught flame... and a roaring fire was going strong. "Try that with a percussion cap!", he said... and I was hooked! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! This was a good introduction to the choices a beginner faces.
Bullshit, i have lit a fire with a percussion rifle before. I love how myths are spread.
This is good to know. One can never have too many ways to start a fire, if it is an emergency in the Great Outdoors. In my defense... I was six years old at the time and had no way to test out the proposition... so I took it as Gospel.@@GunDrone
You are 100% right👍 this day and age if the shit hits the fan the things you need are accessible. Flint powder, lead, bed sheets 😁 you can still protect yourself and loved ones.. there are not to different from a cap lock if you really look at it as far as mechanics.. great video as always. Oh and to add "browning" a barrel is actually pretty easy, I did my Hawkens last week 👍 for anyone out there give it a shot you'll love the brown over the blue as I did.
Jeremiah Johnson all the way , is when i got into black powder. Flint lock is a romance in my opinion.. percussion is all around easier to get and safer. Never had issues getting what i needed
After todays issues with percussion caps and 209 primers ....I'd almost recommend a flintlock as your first rifle. Percussion caps and 209 primers are non-existant or stupidly expensive.. If you have never shot a flintlock, you haven't developed any bad habits learning to use a flint gun or flinching. For 250 years, people only had a flintlock to choose from. It is almost the same today.
Ethan, you knocked this one out of the park!!
I inherited two percussion cap muzzle loaders in 50 and 54 both are from T/C they are at least 40 years old in excellent condition. For now I have all the powder and caps and balls I need for them but if I had to survive on them then by no means will I have enough caps and balls or powder.
When I get enough money I am planning to get my youngest his own flintlock rifle because he is into American history. Also I plan on learning to make my own powder I already have 50 lbs of lead ingots
Why not just make your own black powder?
Balsah is easy to obtain on Scamazon as well as sulfur and potassium nitrate. I quick trip to the hazard freight for a rock polisher aka ball mill and a few tutorials and you can do what the frontiersman has done for centuries.
I’ve been thinking of building a flinter cause of scarcity of caps but flints will go up in price and probably be hard to get because of demand
From my admittedly limited experience, I think I'd feel more comfortable with owning a reliable percussion rifle to start with. Like you said, finding materials can sometimes be tricky, but good news is percussion caps should last for years (decades?) if stored properly, right?
At three types I was thinking fowlers, long rifles and dedicated military muskets (mostly Brown Bess)
Thanks Ethanalways enjoy your stuff would love to get into a flintlock. Maybe this summer will be the time . Hard to find caps up here to. East central Saskatchewan. Keep up the good work
I like your videos very much and I’ve got a newer traditions black powder gun but been looking at the idea of getting a kit for a winter project thanks for the advice of spending a more on a kit to get something to pass down later on
Would love to see you review a sitting fox blunderbus
Since I just got into muzzleloading a few years ago, if I knew what I know now, I'd go with a cap over a flintlock for hunting to learn with. I've lose a lot of opportunities to hunt because of the issues that plague flintlocks that don't affect caps. Having said that, there is a gratification to getting a flintlock to shoot right. It's really a character building (and testing) craft. Now if you just want to extend your hunting season? Get an inline and go fill tags.
I have shot flintlock for over 30 years. The same rifle. I have had a handful of missed ignitions. That's it. They aren't hard to use.
I find cleaning the most irritating part of firing them. Just a lot of time and frustration
There's no magic getting a good flintlock to shoot reliably. Once the mechanics are understood it is a very reliable firearm. It is reliable enough tha once invented it has never stopped being used as a primary firearm somewhere in the world.
As far as black powder make your own
Thanks for the information.
thanks for the info and sharing your thoughts
Great presentation. I have 11 muzzleloaders. Two of them are antiques, circa 1840, and I shoot them, three flintlocks and the rest percussion. I purchased 10 of the guns at gun shows. My last gun, a flintlock, was a kit gun from Kibler (the Woodsrunner in a 45 cal.). Do I need any more? Yes, but it must be a flintlock.
I've had my Lyman Deerstalker for years. I put it away when I witnessed a man tell the warden (at the firing range) how careful he was with it. As he pushed the ball and patch down the barrel he used his chin to do it. It freaked me out and I left.
Please use care when using flintlocks and percussions. I'm getting back into shooting again and want to build my first flintlock.
I have plenty of cherry stock but I want to see if I can get one of the kit manufacturers to mill it for me. I'm thinking about Kibler in Ohio.
Flint is great however much more difficult to get supplies for reliable function plus more tinkering. Cap lock is much easier in all ways. If the government would stop screwing around, I would get a flint.
Very good advice. thank you.
Very good info, thanks for all your videos.
Great video. When I was just starting with muzzleloading about 2 years ago I was really hung up over the whole "flintlock vs cap" question and which should I get first. I ended up going with a Pedersoli Hawker with a flintlock.
Good choice.
Flintlock? Wow, wasn't expecting that.
Still waiting for RWS to bring in Musket Caps to the U.S. I am using Spanish Maxam (Schuetzen) caps for now.
Great video!!!
As a metallic cartridge pleb, I'm pretty new to this. What is an inline muzzleloader and how does it work?
A friend got a beginner flintlock last Christmas. The lock is tiny compared to the ones you shoot. Hence the beginner price difference I'm guessing
I am looking for a copy of Bob Woodfill’s book on Hawken Muzzleloader rifles. Any idea, when it will be available?
I have wanted to get a flintlock for years but I want a good custom built rifle and probably a pistol as well, but don't know where to look. Any suggestions
My first Flintlock is now a match lock!!!
my boss just bought me my first muzzle loader as a bonus. it is a Kibler woodsrunner .54 cal. he always says "nipples belong on a woman not a gun" lol he owns probably close to 100 flintlocks and not a single percussion
Wow! You have a nice boss!
-Flint or caps?
-Wheel or match!
Do you recommend making your own black powder?
Seems simple enough though I would like to know if this is viable
I've got an old Navy Arms/Pedersoli Pennsylvania long rifle kit on the way as my first kit. It's coming with a percussion lock, how difficult might it be to convert it to flint?
Your best bet would be to find a flint barrel and flint lock, that way you can swap out the parts and have the option to do either.
Hello, sorry for my English language, I'm writing from Poland.
I very like Your videos, can You help me ? i want to know something.
I have Enfield 1853, hawken's 50 twist 24'', 54 twist 48'' and colt navy 1851.
Europe Union try to ban lead ammo in my country, could You tell me about non lead ammo ?
Did my gun, traditional muzelloaders able to shoot non lead ammo ? copper ball and bullet or something like that ?
Did People in USA hunting with old muzzelloaders like hawkens, Pennsylvania, kentucky with non lead ammo ?
Traditional muzzleloaders cannot use non lead ammo. Lead ammo only.
Roto Metals sells bismuth/tin ingots that you can cast into appropriate size balls. Muzzleloaders in California can't use lead when hunting so that is their option. I don't know if bismuth/tin ingots are available in Europe.
@@wwisaacson4807 In Europe Bismuth is available but is 20-25 times more expensive then lead. Modern muzzeloaders can shoot copper bullet with plastic sabot. Hawken can did same too ? or not ?
@@piotr1036 if I was in your position I would try the saboted bullets in the faster twist barrels first. They have a better chance of stabilizing. The problem is going to be finding appropriate sabots and projectiles.
@@wwisaacson4807 Ok, Thanks for Your Advice :)
I make my own caps.
I can’t believe how expensive inline muzzle loaders are to shoot.
Muzzleloading seems to be particularly susceptible to supply chain issues. I have thought about getting into flintlock, because both percussion caps AND 209 primers can be really hard to come by nowadays. In fact, if it wasn't the 1000 primer brick on a whim for dirt cheep many years ago, i'd be up the proverbial creek without a paddle. What has stopped me getting into flintlocks, is mainly supply of real black powder. At times it's been so scant, there's guys out there who've been learning to make their own. That said, I just checked, and you can buy some online from some retailers, but not others. Frankly I'm surprised to see it at all, but I don't keep tabs on it that closely.
Honestly, primer issues aside, the easiest powder to get (and learn) is substitute, but that means getting into inlines, but that circles back to the 209 shortages. Percussion doesn't seem to be any better in this regard. So if one was SERIOUS, it seems like flintlock, and at some point learning to make your own powder might be the way to go. But that takes a degree of dedication (and passion) most guys won't have.
777 in my cap lock has been flawless, and I've been REALLY lucky finding caps. That said, waiting for Everything Black powder to update his guide to making real black powder. The revelation that some toilet paper makes a really good powder means that finding rare wood to make charcoal might be at an end.
What isn't subject to supply chain issues?
@@Nick-wn1xw Taxes?
I'm going to have to take exception to Your comment !
There's absolutely no shortage of taxes.... just the ability to pay them , sometimes EDIT :!@@Nick-wn1xw
I misunderstood Your comment .
You are correct !
Nothing beats my flinch-lock! I honestly thought I could use the local quartz as a flint, I learned real quick that wasn't the case. I can't even find chert that would work. Luckily I found a decent chunk in another state I was visiting and I have learned to sort of make my own.
Powder was even harder to find here. Not a single place within 200 miles sells real black powder. I broke down and paid the fees and had 5lbs delivered to me. I have learned that a compound load allows me to really stretch it out by loading 10 grains before 55 grains of 777 or Pyrex. Not completely recommended but it ignites every time and shoots well. I can buy the "fake" powder at Academy Sports. I also learned to make my own but still struggling a little. I can't get it to grain well it wants to go back to a fine powder. Still working on it.
Never would recommend mixing powders like that, but that's just me.
You can make your own caps and make your own powder. Flintlocks require....flints! You can order them of course, but you can also knap them yourself. If you really want to get into this hobby..then be self reliant about it. Forget getting ripped off by commercial powders and stupid hazmat fees..and yes they charge hazmat for caps..not worth it. Tap O cap..make your own!
In-lines are not legal for muzzleloader season here in Montana, thank God
Can you recommend any books on muzzleloaders?
January 14, 2024. Percussion caps are already hard to come by again. GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!
Video on that soon
@@ILoveMuzzleloading Awesome!
I disagree a little - I'd recomend the percussion cap maker available online along with its prime-all powder.
Pyrodex isn't the best but it is accessible and a decent option.
If seeking to purchase a budget flintlock rifle with an outstandingly great lock, look for a used, older, well made, well cared for, flintlock rifle made during the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's. The vast majority of the flintlock rifles from these decades will be equipped with a Siler flintlock, originally designed and produced by Bud Siler.
Unlike most of todays ready to install on a gun and shoot Siler locks being sold by Jim Chambers, who purchased the lock business from Bud Siler when he could no longer run it, Siler locks prior to Jim Chambers acquiring the business were only sold in kit form. Fortunately, 99% of those Siler lock kits were assembled and tuned by accomplished machinists and hobbyists who knew what they were doing and the locks are outstanding examples of what can be produced by an American cottage industry niche business.
All three of my previously owned flintlock longrifles that were built in the 1970's and 1980's, one semi-custom rifle and two from a plank custom rifles, were equipped with hand assembled, right-hand, large Siler flintlocks, each of which was assembled by the rifle's builder, three different men. All three rifles were stunningly accurate and all three locks were incredibly fast.
Out of the thousands upon thousands of shots that I fired out of all three of those rifles I only had three misfires or hangfires across a time frame of more than 14 years.
As an aside, during several phone conversations that I have had with Brad Emig, the owner of Cabin Creek Muzzleloading in Hallam, Pennsylvania, who happens to be one of the best flintlock lock tuners and troubleshooters in the United States; he claims, and I have no reason not to believe him, that a well assembled and well tuned Siler flintlock is as fast, or nearly as fast, as any of the highly touted, late English style flintlock locks from Jim Chambers, Jim Kibler, the Rice brothers, Larry Zorne, Chris Laubach, Bob Roller, and several others.
Don't sell an older flintlock longrifle short because it wasn't built following the modern ethos to strictly adhere to proper architecture and design elements of a particular school of longrifle. Or, because it was built with a Siler flintlock.
I dream about getting a flintlock but I’m not handy enough to build a kit.
I'm certain you could build a Kibler Woodsrunner
Love your videos, I have TC Hawken and caps are hard to find. One day might get a flintlock .
Thanks. I really appreciate this kind of introductory videos.
0:57 Heresy! Blasphemy! Unnatural abomination!
Flintlocks ROCK😂!
How hard to convert to a flintlock?
I think cap locks work much better in the rain. So, it would depend on the situation which system is better.
Why no love for matchlock?
Not as popular in the USA, and harder for a newcomer to get into.
I have a matchlock and shoot it occasionally and also have hunted with it. They are a simple design, but I still would recommend percussion or flint over matchlock for a beginner.
In-line 👍🏻
Dear god, why would I want to use an inline which were invented to cheat the system? Precision copper and plastic belted bullets, stainless steel barrel, and with expensive scopes? I can just use a bolt action rifle and get the same result. If I want a big bore I can just use a break open 20ga or 12ga shotgun with slugs which is not much different than an inline.
The whole point of muzzleloading seasons it to allow traditional hunting styles to be kept alive.
The internet now provides a wealth of information to help new shooters so there's much much less trial and error involved.
What? No wheellock or matchlock?
Not accessible for newcomers to the sport
yet if you hunt with a muzzleloader you have to deal with precipitation
Do NOT buy a budget flintlock rifle. Spend the money and buy a quality rifle. The lock is the heart of the rifle and the "entry level" flintlocks do not have quality locks. Some of the Pedersoli's are kind of OK. But once you get your hands on a quality rifle with a quality lock you'll understand.
For a beginner, the Kibler kits are the best bang for the buck if you can't afford a custom/semi custom build.
Ethan, If your grandfathers got you into it wouldn't that make you a third generation shooter not a fourth generation? (Yeah, I know: picky picky 😁)
My great grandfather got my grandfather into the sport, sorry should have mentioned that
Luckily, I hoarded a bunch of caps because I still can't remember which percussion gun takes which cap size so I end up buying a bunch of both every time and worse case I can buy some different size nipples. I'm not exactly sure how many caps I have. Enough.
As fun as flintlocks are, I'd say they're a poor choice for beginners -- especially for those who want to hunt with them. There's a reason why so many people converted their guns from flintlock to percussion back in the day. They're more reliable and easier to shoot well. As for cap shortages, it's a non-issue. Beer cans and some simple ingredients ordered online (without any hazmat) will give even a dedicated shooter a multi-year supply. I've been shooting MLs for several years now but the time needed to train myself out of that flintlock flinch is more than I can manage. I'm lucky to hit a beer can at 25 yards with a flintlock but I can smack it easily at 50 yards with a percussion. The learning curve is just far easier with a caplock.
caps... primers AND powder. are always out of stock.
caps are no where to be found
Inline muzzle loaders are not muzzle loaders there crap
The flint lock is a muzzle loader the cap lock is a muzzle loader.
what is the problem in the states with capsules? What prevents you from using primers from unitary cartridges?