Watching this video gives me at least a little appreciation of what it took for my ancestors to feed their families. Between hunting, farming, making clothes and all the other daily chores they truly had to work every minute of every day. Thank you. Please keep these videos coming.

Mike, thanks for sharing this series of videos. It would take years of shooting to gather the experience that you are providing. It would be helpful to see how you knap a flint for best ignition of the gun . Again, thank you for helping us with our homework. Warmest regards from Delaware.

Thank you for all of the valuable information and insight. Great video

I dont know if there is another video on youtube that explains everything in this much detail and keeps it in laymans terms. Learning while having fun . Keep up the great work!

Just found this video. THANKS. very informative and helpful for someone like me new to flintlock shooting and hunting.

Thank you Mike you are a great teacher. I enjoy your videos

All I have to say is thank you. What a wealth of knowledge you have handed down. I wish I had this to watch thirty years ago. It would have solved just about every headache I have had figuring out the smoke pole out on my own.

I'll be getting my first flintlock next month. I decided on the Pedersoli Kentucky in 45 caliber. I already cast for my percussion revolvers so I lucked out on that part. My next flintlock for a Christmas present to myself will be the Pedersoli Harpers Ferry in 58 caliber. Been wanting a flint gun for a while but have been putting my gun funds into stuff the dems want to ban before taking the flint gun plunge.

@sethmullins8346

2 жыл бұрын

I wound up passing on flint in favor of an 1842 springfield. The versatility of a smoothbore, but the support and ignition reliability of a percussion gun. I ordered a no.11 nipple for it to replace the musket nipple, and that will allow me to use homemade percussion caps. (There's a kit to make your own caps from soda cans)

@flintymcduff5417

Жыл бұрын

@@sethmullins8346 too bad you didn't give the flintlock a chance. There is a reason it remained in front line service for almost 250 years and never, ever, has stopped being used somewhere--reliability.

Great video, as always. In regards to Lamb’s tallow, I got a bunch of it years ago for a great price by mail. I don’t remember the outfit, but it was a sheep farm that was featured on Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. Since you mentioned the flash, I used to shoot at the ranges on post wherever I was stationed. I would always try to get the far right shooting position, if someone was using it I’d ask if they would swap. If I shot enough I would at some point have people to my right asking if I’d swap positions, and sometimes wound up working my way to the far right position by the time that I was through. 😎

It’s fun to re-visit this even though I’ve shot flintlock rifles for years. I’ve never used the Swiss powders but want to some time

@charlesmcclellan1095

2 жыл бұрын

Where I live all that can be found, even at big gun stores is Goex and as I don't need 25 pounds of powder I don't order online. Some day I may luck into Swiss but...wishful thinking.

Good info on powder. For a while I was shooting 3f through my .600 fowler. Frequent squibs, especially once the bore starts to foul a bit. No issues with 2f.

LOL I have used 3 F for everything, priming and main charge and every caliber for 40 years. My Dad has used it for 60 years. Many people have done the same. You do you

Excellent. As a retired artilleryman, I should have realized that the Army was the big customer for Goex. The black powder is used as a flash reducer put at the front of the powder charge. Basically, it buries the muzzle flash in a cloud of black powder smoke.

@dphillips4351

2 жыл бұрын

Black smoke = high explosive and white smoke= black powder or low energy explosives. Black smoke indicates no oxygen left in the smoke with white smoke indicating a cooler burn with oxygen left.

@hamm6035

2 жыл бұрын

I met a guy in Ks that says he had to use 4F in a .25 Pepper box. It was so cool to shoot. A real 💯 % period pistol. It was smooth and you could keep the rounds on target past 50ft.

@mannys9130

2 жыл бұрын

That is fascinating. Never would have thought black and nitro would be mixed/stacked like that. In my mind, BP guns always belch fire from the muzzle. A big fireball and burning embers of powder granules comes flying out. It's true though that nitro flash is very bright and unobstructed. One 125gr .357 magnum, one .22 magnum from a handgun, and one .22LR Stinger from a handgun in a dimly lit indoor range are proof positive of that fact. 😸

@dennisskurnack1740

2 жыл бұрын

@@mannys9130 Re-reading my comment, I see I was not very clear. I was not referring to using black powder mixed with smokeless powder in small arms. I don't know but I would think would be very dangerous. ---- I was referring to using black powder to obscure muzzle flash from large artillery cannons.

@rzr2ffe325

2 жыл бұрын

Even modern ammunition like Mk262 77gr utilizes flash inhibitors in order to help hide a soldier's muzzle flash

Thank you for this very informative and comprehensive video. I just bought a flintlock--- very generic, synthetic stock, etc. I figured I'd start totally generic just to learn the ropes without the expense of period correct gear.

Great info here...and we finally get to the good part...kabang!

Thank you, Mike, these videos, composed of you're experience, are so informative! I also sighted my rifle in using 5grain increments and found 70g fffg was my best pattern with a 50cal. Spot on with your analysis

Outstanding! I was unaware of the burn speed difference between powder grains.

My Lyman Great plains .54 target load is a .530 ball with a pillow ticking patch and 70grs of goex fffg. My hunting load is 100grs of fffg and a .535 ball with a pillow ticking patch, and both shoot the same to 75 yards, and will both shoot 1-2 inch groups at 50 yards which at the moment is all I have available to me.

You always make good, informative, videos! Right now I've only got a percussion gun but most of the guys I shoot with are shooting flint locks so I'm already thinking about going that direction. More money going down the rabbit hole!

I love your videos and thank you so much for the work that you do for all of us, you are a great inspiration

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Awesome video, I am thinking of buying a flint lock and learning there are a ton of questions I have. I have no one to show me. This answers a ton of questions. Thank you very much

Thank you so much for this presentation.

Bravo! Great video Mike! This is helping me get into the hobby! My next gun will be a Pedersoli Brown Bess! Already have powder from Buffalo Arms. Picked up some caps from Graf & Sons, and got a whole bunch of neat stuff from Track of the wolf! Thank you for all the info Mike! You are the greatest! Maybe some day I can shoot with you at Duelist Den!😁

Really appreciate this, thanks Mike

I have been considering starting this new hobby. Your videos have been very helpful and provided me with valuable information about what all is involved.

Another great video, thanks, Mike.

Very good info, thanks for sharing!

Excellent. Thank you for posting.

My wife bought me an Interarm Bridger Hawken Kit for Christmas! Always wanted a Flintlock and always wanted to build my own; been searching the Tube for all the info I can find. Wish me luck!

Great lesson Mike. Thank you.

Very good video! Looking forward to the next in the series. Thank you

Ty very much sir , new and u just settled my nerves ? I got this..

Top notch as always. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos!

Another fantastic video Mike. Thank you. Cheers

Outstanding video!

Excellent Thank you!!!

Again, fantastic installment, Mike. Really good job! Very interesting content.

Excellent powder explanation.

Another amazing and super complete video Mike, thanks for sharing all your knowledge.

Well done, well presented. Never seen anyone shoot a flintlock before! All my blackpowder experience has been cap and ball.

Fantastic video, sir! My first flintlock is almost done being made, and I'm super excited to try it out!

I've shot a ton of goex over the years. Sure swiss burns a little cleaner. Lately I've bought some goex from guys getting to old to compete for $5 a pound. I shoot that in my Fowler's and 54s &58s. Good enough for me. I really like swiss in revolvers and small bore rifles.

Great instructional video. Thanks

Nice video. I love shooting my flintlocks.

Thanks for the great info!

Again, can't thank you enough for these videos on flintlocks. I was going to start with a Pedersoli Brown bess, but I will heed your advice and get a traditions rifle first. Fantastic videos, I can't wait to get shooting! :D

Thanks much. Lots of good information.

great vid mike I am flint newbie very helpful

These videos are a fantastic source of information Mike. I just ordered a flintlock hawken, so I'm looking forward to using this info to get loads worked up for it!

Very good Explanation about the Powder Types and Benefits, thank you very much Sir!

I do enjoy your videos and pick up ideas with each one. Now to change my loads all up and see if I get the results I have been looking for. Looks like my issues could be ball and patch combinations. I guess I order some different patches and rework my loads once again. I do hope I get this chased down before my late season hunt starts

Great video

Great info on powder that I never knew.

Another great video - thanks Mike!!

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Another great video

I learned a lot I didn't know about Powders. Like s lot I thought 3F was the do all. Thanks Mike! Thumbs up

Great Video!

I have been looking into getting a flintlock and this is a great series explaining what I needed to know! Thank you!

very nice! much appreciated as a first time flintlock owner

Totally agree with you. Use the correct powder for the job. For me .50 and above gets FFg period.

Thank you so much for this informative video. I love Black Powder.👌🤠👍

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you liked it

Thank you for explaining the ffg fffg in rifles and how they burn.

Tallow and Mink oil contain a lot of carbon which deposits in the bore. Their lubricity makes them work. Spit is mostly water, it partially dissolves water soluble powder deposits and leaves no residue. Perhaps a water gel, like personal lubricant?

Excellent content! Very informative, very usefull. Can I hope for a smoothbore addendum in the future?

I have a front stuffer, it is cap lock. I want to get a Flint lock next. The video was great. I have used spit patching and I have used Crisco. Thanks for the instructions.

This was great keep up the great work.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

3Fg vs 2 Fg: I shoot a cal .54 Pedersoli Jäger percussion rifle on targets at 50m. I tried various loads with the aim of using a relative light charge for precision shooting. I settled on 55g. 2Fg load for one key reason: my shoulder. I would summarize it that way: a 55g 3Fg charge feels like a raging bull hitting your shoulder. The same 2 Fg load feels like a caress and is as accurate. Conclusion: it’s your shoulder...

Great video. With all knowledge you have you should write a book. Always great information.

I haven't shot a flint locke very much waiting for my kimbler 36 cal that's a great idea shoot on the bench all day thank you

Loving the videos mate, I’m trying to find a flinter at the moment but they’re like hens teeth in Australia. I will be coming back to these videos for reference that’s for sure. Couple of things, my Pedersoli Rocky Mountain likes a .015 patch with a .535 ball, I know guys that use a 0.018 patch with it. Every gun has its quirks. For lube I’ve settled on plain old olive oil from the kitchen which I find works fine. It’s probably worth mentioning to people not familiar with muzzleloaders why you don’t want space between the ball and the powder.

Very nice, thanks.

The fire and smoke are cool to watch. Now imagine seeing a couple thousand Colonists and British soldier reenactors squaring off against each other. I haven't shot a black powder rifle since I was a kid, I've been thinking about getting into black powder hunting, reenacting would also be fun. Good video series. 👍🏻😎

Outstanding

Looking forward to getting my Traditions Deluxe Kentucky flintlock this week. My first flintlock. I'm planning on using Schuetzen fffg powder because I already have 4 pounds for my percussion revolver.

Great info

Good video thanks.

I'm in the camp that says 3F can be used for "everything". That's mostly because that was usually what i could find, but it does work. Having said that, I wholeheartedly agree with your guidelines about "50 and under, 3F - and 50 and over 2F". Had a 58 Zouave. Went all the way to 120 grains when looking for a max charge. Have to say that brass buttplate REALLY talked to my shoulder toward the end. Later, same 120 grain charge with 2F was a whole lot more pleasant to shoot. Less felt recoil, and less sharp recoil. No changes noted in target impact. So, yes, use the granulations as indicated, but if all you can find is 3F, it does work just fine.

Thank you very much.

Graf and Sons also has their own Brand made for them by GOEX when they have it in stock. I had a question about some very old Goex a while back so I called them and the call was answered by Hodgdons who informed me they now own GOEX..That was a Big Surprise to me. Love your Revolver Videos, used to have a CVA percussion .45 Cal.Kentucky Rifle .Wish I hadn't sold it about 40 years ago.

So true. about 60 to 70 grains being really the maximum charge for 3f. In a .50 cal I find 60 grains of 3f to be a great 50 yard target load

As for priming powder, all I do is grind small amounts of coarser powder in a mortar and pestle, job done. From a Blackpowder man from England.

Great valuable information Mike. Keep yer powder, (no matter the brand), dry. Cheers!

In my .45 and .50 I shoot 2F 100 grains. I use a 50gr. measured 2x into a Lee dipper from an old 12 gauge reloading kit

Have you thought about a muzzle loading SHOTGUN series? I have a fairly nice original 12ga. and I have never fired it. I bought shot, wads ect. but a little "inspiration" may get me to the range with it ? 😎

@Nick-wn1xw

2 жыл бұрын

He has LOT of videos on the subject.

I'm a big fan of just using the spit lubed patch. One thing with it that I have noted is that if you are also chewing Copenhagen (none of that _ussy Skoal s_it) it will give you an additional 75 FPS (avg) and cut your groupings to sub MOA. Charge size doesn't matter or if you are using a rock in a leaf, that doesn't matter either, Copenhagen will fix all with amazing group size. I'm happy I could be of assistance!

Grafs never has what I’m looking for.

This may sound weird but in my Dixie. .32 rifle I used U.S. military M-1 Garand cleaning patches, they worked just fine.👍😃👍😃👍

Bear tallow likely woks well also. It is more available than you would think in parts of Maine. I believe in using grease freely in black powder guns. It slows corrosion to a standstill if used regularly and freely and makes cleaning powder residue a lot easier. A well lubed gun is not fussy about cleaning and will do fine even if cleaning is regularly missed, as long as the gun receives regular use and real black powder is used. Pryodex is so corrosive it can corrode through grease though, it is best not to use it in traditional guns. It ignites poorly also.

thank you.

It has been so long since I have shot my black powder guns that I have never heard of the brands of powder that you mentioned. I think what I used came in red cans and had the same name on them as smokeless powders. I don't remember the brand name, but I think I have still some left in my garage. As I recall, I used 2F in my .58 caliber mini ball rifle, 3F for cap & ball revolvers and 4F was for priming flintlocks. My .58 is a H&R break down that has a removal breach plug that can be punched out to allow cleaning from the rear and my .50 caliber flintlock is strictly a wall hanger. At 77 years of age, what I enjoy most about my guns is having them in my collection. Good video.

@thechevykibs

2 жыл бұрын

I'm 71 and started shooting black powder guns in the 1960s, Dupont Black powder came in the red cans then white cans before Goex came on the scene in the early '70s as I recall.

I don’t even shoot flintlocks, but found this fantastic!

btw this great job your doing

Great job Mike - love it! I have done some BP shooting and will be doing more in the future. Very cool stuff. I had to ask a knowledgeable friend what load I should be using. I assumed (wrongly) that a good load for my 45 cal rifle was 70 grains of BP. (Ooops). I thought - "Hey 45-70 is a famous BP cartridge! It must be good. Right?" I was just blowing a bunch of 3F BP down my barrel and out. Thanks for all the tips!

@flintymcduff5417

Жыл бұрын

Nothing wrong with 70 grains in a .45. Whether you are wasting any depends on your barrel length. If it snows where you are shoot a load of 70 grains over smooth snow. Any unburned will show as black specks left on the snow. I just tried 50 grains of 3f out of my .36 with a 42" barrel. Not a speck of powder on the snow.

@cpnolto

Жыл бұрын

@@flintymcduff5417 I will do just that - curious to see what happens. I have been a collector for decades and decades but as to actually shooting BP - I'm a enthusiastic novice (and that's being kind).

Excellent info. My own testing mirrors your data very closely.

@duelist1954

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Good to hear the confirmation.

Do you have a video on how to clean a musket I'm just curious this is my first time having 1

Nice work Mike! A little more info for the folks just starting out... Graf & Sons sells a few different brands of black powder. Swiss and Goex of course, but they also sell Schutzen and their own brand of black powder. I believe their brand is rebottled Schutzen, I don't remember for sure. Schutzen and Graf's aren't the same quality as Goex or Swiss, but they tend to be noticably less expensive. Just another option if you're on a budget. Other suppliers besides Graf & Sons and Buffalo Arms... Powder Valley, Powder Inc. And Maine Powder House. Also, Bass Pro Shops, depending on the store. At one time Buffalo Arms would ship as little as 5 lbs. of powder. Check each site and see, not all require a full order of 25 lbs. Mike isn't being a powder snob, Swiss really does give more consistent performance. But it is pricey, and can be difficult to acquire. If anyone has more info, feel free to reply.

Nice info Always felt like there must have been a good reason for the different granulations of powder I did read a history book about religious monks making black powder in different granulations, because a cannon could explode if loaded with the incorrect powder

Hey Mike, maybe you could make your own powder. Once you establish the technique.. you can can tweak it anyway you want, for example rate of burn and granulation. Remember when supplies slow up for whatever reason, you can still make smoke. I make my own caps, my own wads, my own powder and my own round or conical bullets. It is a great feeling to be totally independent of any supplier or future social issues we might find ourselves in. You just have to acquire the ingredients and stockpile them..and some of them you can make yourself. It just seems natural to me to make my own blackpowder. Not to mention reloading shotgun shells.

@flintymcduff5417

Жыл бұрын

Independant of any supplier? Where do you get your sulphur? Do you make your own potassium nitrate? Sulphur is the hardest one to get unless you live at Yellowstone. But yes, making as much as you can is great. Good luck making caps without the chemicals for the priming mix.

@americanman4746

Жыл бұрын

@@flintymcduff5417 What part of..”acquire the ingredients and stockpile them” did you not understand??

thanks

I've used Pyrodex as a main charge for years. You just need to prime with black powder, 4f. If you still have problems with ignition, you can always put a small amount of 4f down the bore, like 5 grains by volume. Unfortunately, I've been forced to use Pyrodex, as that's all I had, as the entire charge, including prime. Still went off, but with a slight delay. (Was at a reenactment, so no bullets going downrange, and a safe distance away from anybody downrange.)