I have never bought a black powder rifle and i was wondering if any one had some advice. I dont have to much money to spend so the Traditions kentucky flint looked afordable (i found one for 245 on arms2armor.com). I saw a thread where somebody said it misfired alot. i was wondering if anyone knew if it misfired more than a antique kentucky rifle would because i am not apposed to historically acurate misfires. if any one has some sugeestions i would greatly appreciate them.
What should i buy for a first black powder rifle?
- Thread starter murphus
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Flintlocks can be very reliable. That depends on the quality of the frizzen (enough carbon), the flint (I've one flint that was used for over 120 shots), procedure (clean out touch-hole with every shot), wipe down frizzen & pan regularly. As to accuracy, that varies and it's a matter of finding the perfect ball size (& weight), patch thickness & powder charge.
arcticap
Member
The Traditions Kentucky flintlock is considered to be a fairly good introductory rifle. As with any inexpensive factory flintlock, there can sometimes be issues that need to be resolved. But because it's not their least expensive model, you'll have a better chance of getting a decent working gun.
Among the issues that could crop up might be a vent that needs to be enlarged, lock timing or frizzen hardening. But only with some of their rifles, certainly not all of them.
On the other hand, the Traditions percussion guns are known to have much better reliability. Sometimes a percussion gun makes the best starter gun to learn and practice shooting muzzle loaders with. But that's just my subjective opinion.
If it's a flintlock that you really want, there's not very many other choices in that price range anymore unless you buy a used gun.
And if you do have any hardware problems, Traditions will generally supply the replacement parts under their warranty.
Among the issues that could crop up might be a vent that needs to be enlarged, lock timing or frizzen hardening. But only with some of their rifles, certainly not all of them.
On the other hand, the Traditions percussion guns are known to have much better reliability. Sometimes a percussion gun makes the best starter gun to learn and practice shooting muzzle loaders with. But that's just my subjective opinion.
If it's a flintlock that you really want, there's not very many other choices in that price range anymore unless you buy a used gun.
And if you do have any hardware problems, Traditions will generally supply the replacement parts under their warranty.
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Thanks
i am not useing it for hunting nor for any accuracy contests so that being the case i think this rifle will be fine to start with. thanks for all the info. i agree that a percussion would probably cause me less problems but i am interested in a muzzle loader for historical accuracy. Did muzzle loaders have percussion caps before 1800??
i am not useing it for hunting nor for any accuracy contests so that being the case i think this rifle will be fine to start with. thanks for all the info. i agree that a percussion would probably cause me less problems but i am interested in a muzzle loader for historical accuracy. Did muzzle loaders have percussion caps before 1800??
Jamie C.
Member
A Google search rendered these results:
"Alexander Forsyth patented the detonating or percussion principle in 1807.
The copper percussion cap is not definitely alluded to in the patent records till 1823, but appears to have been invented about 1814-1816.
The percussion cap came into universal use on private arms about 1826.
The percussion cap system of ignition was in common use before it was adopted for the service weapon. It was tested at Woolwich in 1843.
The service percussion musket was mainly experimental until 1844."
J.C.
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