Flint Lock issues

[Rob]

I recently build a 54 Cal Hawken Flintlock from a kit. 

I took it out this weekend to play with it and I am having a real issue getting the powder in the pan to flash.  Very poor sparks coming off the flint.

I was able to get two squib loads to fire, but it took 15-20 trigger pulls to get it to go.

Any suggestions out there?  Some questions I have are:
-Does anyone know of any good literature or videos that show how to align a flint to the striker?
-Are all flints created equal?  Should I look for a higher quality fling?
-Do you use the same powder in the pan as the barrel?  (I am using triple 7 FFg) 

[Squidward]

Hi Rob, I'm a cap shooter never shot a flinch lock  , I can however I can tell you not all flint is the same, and I believe that you will want to use flash powder in the pan.  it is FFFF or 4F for your primer. Good Luck

[Rob]

Good deal, I had wondered about the powder.  in the back of my mind I thought I read somewhere that you needed a finer powder for the pan.

[quarterstaff]

I have never used a flintlock only caplocks also, part of the reason is that everyone that I've spoken with about it stated one of the reasons they didn't use them or gave up on them was the fact that the flints had to be properly and frequently napped and this seemed to them to be too much trouble. of course this is all second hand info but I've heard it consistently over the years.

[Rob]

This is just a side project, but I'd like to be able to shoot it every now and then!  looks like I will need to learn how to nap a flint

[Rob]

Based on the University of youtube, it looks as though I may have had the flint in upside down...

[quarterstaff]

there is a guy out on River road in Puyallup that has a muzzleloader supply shop that should be able to help I just cannot think of the name though

[Rob]

I think I have seen that place...

[biggfish]

Muzzleloader supply on river road

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[AWS]

I'm a rock lock shooter and you need REAL BLACKPOWDER for a flintlock, 4f in the pan in a hunting rifle and you can get away with using your charge powder in the lock of a musket(big heavy lock) again REAL BLACKPOWDER.  If you want to use substitute BLKP like Triple 7 in a flintlock you need to put some real blackpowder under the substitute powder charge for the pan charge to ignite then igniting the 777.

Using 4f in the pan and a decently sharp flint you flintlock will be as reliable as a percussion gun, once you dull a flint it is pretty easy to knap a new edge in a few seconds without even having to take it out of the gun..

[Rob]

Found this clip useful.

AWS, Great info, that and the flint fitting issue I was having probably explain what is happening. 

real BP is pretty hard to find, isn't it? 

[AWS]

BP is readily available, most shops that specialize in Muzzle loading supplies should have and you can order it on line.  Real BP has a much lower ignition temp. than the BP substitutes, that's why a lot of substitute shooter have to change to Mag caps, musket caps and 209 primers.  Flint ingnition has a much lower brisance than percussion so it needs a very easily ignited powder.

http://www.buffaloarms.com/Content.aspx?PAGE=Black%20Powder

[quarterstaff]

The clip helped me understand a little more and I am going to take the plunge in to a "rock lock" before hunting starts, I just gotta get my current lay away in my hot little hands. 

[Rob]

Great stuff guys, thanks!  This is why I love his place!