Black Powder Weapons

A flintlock is the very best sustainable muzzle-loader you can get other than a matchlock. The flintlock though in my opinion is superior to the matchlock. However, many people don't like the flintlock because it makes them flinch, & they require more skill learning to make them work at their best. Once you have mastered these easy to learn skills, the flintlock will serve you well.
The percussion is easier to use, but it requires percussion caps to make it work. This can be a problem in a long term wilderness survival situation.
Smoothbore versus Rifle:
The smoothbore is more versatile than the rifles, as it can digest bird shot, buckshot, & round ball or any combination of two of these. You do not have to wipe the barrel between shots on a smoothbore & it is easier to load than a rifle.

The rifle is more accurate over longer distances. It will only digest round ball or conicals. The barrel needs to be cleaned between shots so as to avoid possibly getting a ball stuck part way down the barrel.

I have three flintlocks, a .62 caliber/20 gauge smoothbore fusil, a .70 caliber smoothbore pistol, & a .32 caliber rifle.

My fusil with a 42 inch barrel.

My .70 cal pistol.

My .32 caliber rifle with double set triggers.



Advantages of a Flintlock Muzzle-loader.

1) Ammo is less expensive than a modern equivalent caliber firearm.

2) The smoothbore is very versatile, being able to digest round ball, bird shot, & buckshot, or any combination of two of these (can also use minies/conical slugs).

3) The fusil is lighter to carry than a modern equivalent sized gun.

4) You can vary the load if needs be.

5) The smoothbore will digest other projectiles besides lead.

6) Lead can be retrieved from downed game & remoulded with a simple mould & lead ladle. This means that you can carry less lead, & more of the lighter gunpowder.

7) You can make your own gunpowder.

8) You can use the lock to make fire without using gunpowder.

9) You can use gunpowder for gunpowder tinder fire lighting if needs be.

10) IF the lock should malfunction (these are very robust & it is not likely) you can easily repair it if you are carrying a few spare springs & a few simple tools.

11)If you do not have any spare parts & the lock malfunctions, you can easily convert it to a tinderlock or matchlock & continue using it.

12) You do not need a reloader, brass shells, caps, or primers. The latter have been known to break down in damp conditions or if they are stored for too long.

13) Wadding for ball or shot is available from natural plant materials or homemade leather or rawhide.

14) Less chance of being affected by future ammunition control legislation.

15) Gunpowder is easily obtainable providing you have a muzzle-loader registered in your name regardless of caliber (NSW).

16) A .32 caliber flintlock rifle is more powerful than a .22 rimfire, less expensive to feed, more accurate over a greater distance, able to take small & medium sized game, & other than not being able to use shot (unless it is smoothbore), it has all the attributes of the other flintlocks. For larger game you can load with conical slugs, which of course you can make yourself in the field.

17) Damage from a .62 caliber or .70 caliber pistol or long arm is in the extreme. Wounded prey is unlikely to escape.

18) By using buck & ball you are unlikely to miss your target. This load is capable of taking out more than one target.

19) There is less kick-back to a muzzle-loading gun.

20) Antique Flintlock muzzle-loading guns do not require a license, registration, or a permit to purchase in NSW Australia.

Let me know if you want more information, accouterments for instance, you will need certain tools & a shot pouch & powder horn.
Regards, Keith.

 

Excellent post Keith.

 

Thank you, appreciated.
Keith.

 

I love it when a "Real Expert" takes the time to help educate us lay persons on the benefits of black powder firearms. Well done Mate.

 

I do thank you TMT, but I have never classed myself as an expert in anything. The way I look at it is that there is always so much more to learn, one never stops learning.
Keith.

 

In the Territory randy I used to strap on a cap & ball revolver with my pants every morning.

Not a very good image, the camera I had in those days was not up to much!

I use 2FG as a main charge randy, & I use the same for priming. It is easier that way.
Keith.

 

No mate, no experience with that maker. But they claim to be top notch.
http://ricebarrels.com/
Keith.

 

Those that need to claim they are experts, rarely are. Those that demonstrate their knowledge, usually are. I do admit I tend to lean towards the percussion rifles. Keith is absolutely correct that the flintlock will outlast the others in a long term SHTF. But I don't think I will out last the my supply of percussion caps.

 

The Shot Pouch.
The shot pouch is a traditional bag that contains all you need for the maintenance & use of you muzzle-loading arm when in the field. You can carry items in your pockets, but personally I find it easier to have everything in one bag.

On my shot pouch strap, from the top, powder charge measure, pricker (vent pick), pan brush, & to the right a bullet board for faster reloading.


My youngest son's shot pouch.
Keith.

 

Yes Dale, not everyone cares about authenticity. The possibles bag was a western Indian name for the large bag they carried on a travois.

Cheyenne possibles bag.
Keith.

 

The percussion gun was not a popular choice for a long time, it was fine in England & other areas where the supply of percussion caps were easily obtained, but on the frontier the flintlock was the first choice. The western mountain men, the trappers, they did not use percussions, it was not just a matter of supply, it was also that dampness could effect the caps ability to work. They could always find a suitable rock, but not percussion caps.
For a while there everyone wanted a Hawken, but the Hawkens were also flintlock, & they did not become popular until after the fur trade period, at least that is what I have read. The mountain man/beaver trapping/Rendezvous period only lasted 15 years, from 1825 to 1840. After that some mountain men stayed in the mountains trapping beaver & shooting bear for skins, but there was no more Rendezvous.
https://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2010/12/interpreting-rocky-mountain-fur-trapper.html