Want a Flintlock Pistol, Have questions...Please Help.

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Hi guys im new here. Im looking into a 50cal traditions trapper pistol to hunt deer with here in PA. I have a flintlock rifle and enjoy it alot. I have a few questions about these pistols...

Can i shoot a sabot/bullet out of this gun? (1:20 twist) I use the hornady SSTs in my rifle and they shoot awesome.

What grain bullet/ball are most people using in these pistols? Powder?

What kind of groups are reasonable at 25yds?

Are the breech plugs removable in these guns?

Thats all i can think of for now. Thanks in advance.

 

[arcticap]

Can i shoot a sabot/bullet out of this gun? (1:20 twist) I use the hornady SSTs in my rifle and they shoot awesome.

What grain bullet/ball are most people using in these pistols? Powder?

A saboted bullet can be fired, but many folks usually fire patched round balls from the Trapper with great accuracy. But those are usually 25-35 grain target loads which would generally be too light for deer hunting.
The only way to tell what will shoot best with a heavy powder charge is to experiment with various projectiles.
Many hunting pistols have longer barrels and metal receivers for handling heavier powder charges.
I think that a bore size conical like the Hornady .50 PA Conical may be worth a try. Being shorter in length than the saboted bullet, it may stabilize easier.
Placing a wool wad under it would act as a gas check which may help performance.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/73...s-50-caliber-512-diameter-240-grain-box-of-50

Are the breech plugs removable in these guns?

Removable yes, but that's not recommended for routine maintenance and removal will void the warranty. Removing it can risk damaging the hook which is attached to it, and it may not be able to be removed without great effort and risking additional damage.

What kind of groups are reasonable at 25yds?

IMO reasonable hunting accuracy would be being able to at least reliably hit a pie plate with the chosen heavy hunting load.

 

[arcticap]

Here's the PDF schematic for the Traditions Trapper pistol:

http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/cmsAdmin/uploads/Trapper-Pistol.pdf

 

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Thanks!

 

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What do you think might be a better hunting pistol?

 

[arcticap]

There's the Pedersoli Bounty Hunter flintlock that comes in either .45 or .50 caliber. It has a walnut stock and a 16 3/8" barrel with a 1 in 18 inch twist.
It's more of a long range hunting pistol.

http://www.cherrys.com/ped_pist.htm

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/sch...16/pistols-bounty-bounty-flintlock-model.html

Regarding the use of sabots in pistols, there are sabots made for .40 caliber bullets that will fit both .45 and .50 bores.

http://www.mmpsabots.com/

 

[longrifle346]

Probably a strange question but have you checked to see if the BP pistol is even legal to hunt deer with? I ask because it's not in all states, NC being one of them...

 

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Yeah im legal here in PA. We actually have a flintlock season after christmas.

 

[longrifle346]

It's more of a long range hunting pistol.

KInd of an oxymoron when talking about a BP pistol isn't it?