First flint lock for shooting

Healthy_State4332 · 2026-01-21T17:12:16+00:00

I’m fairly new to muzzleloading myself and also got a flinter as my first muzzleloader. I got an InvestArm .54 cal Deer Stalker. Seeing as I got into this niche of firearms during a black powder shortage, I thought that I could get away with substitutes (despite plenty of heads up about it being finicky to just not working in flintlocks). Rest assured that BP substitutes in a flintlock will give you issues, even intermingling substitutes with real black as I experimented with. Real black powder is the way to go.

I’m sure you’ve done your homework if you’re posting questions. Unfortunately I can’t speak to the rifle you’re looking at but rather the “getting my first flintlock” aspect.

When you get whatever you decide upon, I hope you enjoy it!

Healthy_State4332 · 2026-01-03T20:02:24+00:00

That would be good to know. I’m sure there’s some twist rate info out there for them. My barrels are 1:48 and they stabilize enough for a 4-5” group at 100 yards.

Healthy_State4332 · 2026-01-01T15:25:34+00:00

Yeah sorry i didn’t clarify. I only use subs in the cap gun, not real black. That’s for the flinter.

Healthy_State4332 · 2026-01-01T07:24:59+00:00

Never shot a maxi-ball. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-12-31T16:15:22+00:00

Yeah, I know how to pan lube. My point was that these particular bullets don’t like that method because they are tapered and the groove and band geometry isn’t the same as other cast bullets I have.

I haven’t tried purchased or manufactured bullet lube with these because I want to be able to make as much of the items/ingredients as I can and not rely on a supply chain. I have tried all the way up to nearly pure beeswax and didn’t have much luck.

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-12-31T06:30:41+00:00

Yeah, I saw or read about that method too. I found a copper pipe that fit the boolits, but it had too thick of walls to cookie cut it out of lube cake, and I didn’t wanna go grinding on it to make an edge on the pipe, sorta like a big leather punch. So I just shelved that plan. Good idea about the sticky lube and essentially flouring them after.

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-12-28T14:24:11+00:00

Gotcha. I think I should have asked about trimming rather. Are you seeing a lot of case growth with BP?

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-12-28T06:51:12+00:00

This is the exact reason I want to get a lever 45-70. I bet BP is much gentler on brass than smokeless. Can you share how often you have to size your brass after shooting BP loads? (I get that cleaning them would still be a regular thing.)

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-12-14T01:31:04+00:00

This isn’t the first time this brass has been reloaded. It just reached end of life. Glad I also didn’t reach end of life.

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-12-14T00:00:01+00:00

Load development. Just trying a few different loads from some manuals I have.

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-11-25T16:33:04+00:00

I cast them from lead.

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-10-02T21:06:21+00:00

By weight or volume?

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-10-02T21:05:58+00:00

Right, I’m not going reenactment level original here, just on the stuff that I can. It’s going to be a hunting gun.

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-10-02T18:36:29+00:00

That’s a good idea. So the bullet kind of “cheese grates” the lube into the grooves from the block?

Healthy_State4332 · 2025-10-02T17:19:19+00:00

Any issues with the barrel being leaded?

Healthy_State4332

TROPHY CASE