Educate me on a Black powder rifle

[oremike]

Before everyone gets wound up about not historically correct and the shoot a right handed rifle BS. I don't care, I'm a left handed shootest not a collector. What I'm looking at is a Taylors and Co. Left handed 50 cal Hawken flintlock. This rifle would be used to to shoot once in a while at pop cans at the local gravel pit and maybe at a match or two just for fun. I have modern rifles for hunting. Are these good rifles? I have a Taylor tuned 38-40 revolver that seems to be a good gun, will the rifle be as good or better?
From the Taylors and Co. site:

Traditional Hawken Hunter Left Handed Flintlock Rifle 28-3/8" .50

This Flintlock version features a massive barrel has a blade front sight and a dovetail slot to equip it with the rear sight. The Ghost ring aperture sight is mounted to the tang, enabling quick and dynamic sighting, such as you can have with a modern gun. The American walnut stock features a...

www.taylorsfirearms.com

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[VinnieBoomBah]

Short version, yes, it's a solid rifle more than likely made by Pedersoli and will do an excellent job for what you want. Flintlocks require a tiny bit more attention than a cap gun, nothing that requires a PhD or anything, but knowing how the flint works and keeping it naped correctly will be required. Also shooting a flintlock for the first time is a bit of a shock with the priming charge going off right in front of your face!

 

[Bobbygun]

Well, for one thing, left-handed is definitely not historically correct! (Sorry buddy. Just couldn't help myself)

Sounds like you have the exact same level of interest - gravel pit, pop cans - as me as far as black powder goes. It is a lot of fun, but I've only ever had one deer tag for black powder. I have no idea about the Taylors and Company products, but that price tag was a bit eye popping for me. But then my .50 cal is a Thompson Center Hawken that I inherited from my dad, so it was FREE. I see the Pedersoli Hawken at Cabela's is only $579, but that might be like comparing a Kia to a Ferrari. I have no idea though. Don't know if you can get it in left-hand configuration either.

Oh, just saw Vinnie's post. Didn't notice the rifle you're looking at is a flintlock. Sooooo, I'm extra worthless on this now. My only experience is with caplocks.

I'll just exit now.

 

[oremike]

Well, for one thing, left-handed is definitely not historically correct! (Sorry buddy. Just couldn't help myself)

Sounds like you have the exact same level of interest - gravel pit, pop cans - as me as far as black powder goes. It is a lot of fun, but I've only ever had one deer tag for black powder. I have no idea about the Taylors and Company products, but that price tag was a bit eye popping for me. But then my .50 cal is a Thompson Center Hawken that I inherited from my dad, so it was FREE. I see the Pedersoli Hawken at Cabela's is only $579, but that might be like comparing a Kia to a Ferrari. I have no idea though. Don't know if you can get it in left-hand configuration either.

Oh, just saw Vinnie's post. Didn't notice the rifle you're looking at is a flintlock. Sooooo, I'm extra worthless on this now. My only experience is with caplocks.

I'll just exit now.

They've been making side by each rifles and shotguns so the left handed lock is not un-heard of even back it the day. The price I don't know about but I'm tired of cheap assed plastic guns, I've got enough of them and willing to pay a bit extra for a little better quality. Being The Proficient Marksman means I'll write it off on my taxes. Got to be good at all shooting disciplines don'tcha know. Right now it's just pipe dreaming anyway but with Lisa working at Gun Works it's sparked ah "oh look shiny squirrel" moment.

 

[P7M13]

Flintys are fun. I shoot a RH flinty left handed, but each time I think about buying a left handed flintlock, I pause at the price.
No idea on the quality. Since your missus works at The Gun Works, I expect that you've consulted them.

 

[oremike]

Flintys are fun. I shoot a RH flinty left handed, but each time I think about buying a left handed flintlock, I pause at the price.
No idea on the quality. Since your missus works at The Gun Works, I expect that you've consulted them.

Not yet, only late night internet wanderings at this point.

 

[Bobbygun]

They've been making side by each rifles and shotguns so the left handed lock is not un-heard of even back it the day. The price I don't know about but I'm tired of cheap assed plastic guns, I've got enough of them and willing to pay a bit extra for a little better quality. Being The Proficient Marksman means I'll write it off on my taxes. Got to be good at all shooting disciplines don'tcha know. Right now it's just pipe dreaming anyway but with Lisa working at Gun Works it's sparked ah "oh look shiny squirrel" moment.

I was going to edit my post and add: Gee, too bad you don't know someone who works at The Gun Works.

When you get this lined out, we will have to find a gravel pit and burn some powder! I can also borrow my son's Pietta revolver.

 

[oremike]

I was going to edit my post and add: Gee, too bad you don't know someone who works at The Gun Works.

When you get this lined out, we will have to find a gravel pit and burn some powder! I can also borrow my son's Pietta revolver.

At the last gun show I was looking at a Stainless Ruger new Army but it's $1600 price was off putting. I do have the before mentioned 38-40 and a Ruger Vaquro in 44-40 that I could load some black powder loads up for I suppose but when I did that in my 45 Colt the gun was gummed beyond shooting in 3 cylinders.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Left handed firearms are historically correct...just uncommon.
( It is however , not a Hawken Rifle , no matter what the maker calls it )

The rifle shown looks to be a good quality rifle.
It will probably have a coil spring for a main spring...these are a PITA to time and tune , if needed.

Keep a sharp knapped flint....stay away from the cut or saw flints....
Keep a clean vent hole...
A little bit of priming powder goes a long way....
And you will be fine.
Andy

 

[Member 24198]

I was going to edit my post and add: Gee, too bad you don't know someone who works at The Gun Works.

When you get this lined out, we will have to find a gravel pit and burn some powder! I can also borrow my son's Pietta revolver.

There was percussion Browning mountain rifle there the last time I was in. Percussion and not lefty.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

IMG_3604.jpeg

• Andy54Hawken
• Aug 14, 2024

Above you will see all the items I use to shoot a flintlock rifle.
You don't need much in the way of shooting items.

Shooting bag...
Powder...and a powder horn or flask...
Patches...and lead round ball...
A powder measure...
A vent pick...and a screwdriver...I also use the the screwdriver as a flint knapping tool. ...
The nail and "Spring" / worm ...are used to take apart my lock and clean the bore of the barrel...
Andy

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Looking up the rifle in question....
It appears to be a Pedersoli product.

Quality should be good...Pedersoli pays attention to things like fit and finish...
And importantly for flint locks....proper hardening on things like springs , tumbler , sear and the frizzen...
Along with the proper lock geometry in relation to the barrel and vent hole.
At least on the ones that I have seen and shot.

If I knew that the main spring was leaf spring and not a coil spring....I might up that "quality should be good " to something better.....
Some Pedersoli flintlocks use a leaf spring...mostly these are found on their more historic copies.
It does not say on any ad copy that I have seen...what the main spring is.
In my experience coil springs as main springs are weak...slow and sluggish.
Andy

 

[Bobbygun]

IMG_3604.jpeg

• Andy54Hawken
• Aug 14, 2024

Above you will see all the items I use to shoot a flintlock rifle.
You don't need much in the way of shooting items.

Shooting bag...
Powder...and a powder horn or flask...
Patches...and lead round ball...
A powder measure...
A vent pick...and a screwdriver...I also use the the screwdriver as a flint knapping tool. ...
The nail and "Spring" / worm ...are used to take apart my lock and clean the bore of the barrel...
Andy

This just proves my point! Every one of those items is clearly RIGHT-HANDED. The only historically correct way they could be.

(Sorry guys. Too much caffeine this morning.)

 

[Bobbygun]

At the last gun show I was looking at a Stainless Ruger new Army but it's $1600 price was off putting.

Those are ridiculous! I was drooling over one long ago, but somehow didn't manage to buy one. Every now and then I would entertain the thought of picking one up. The next thing you know, they're twice the price of Pietta's and such. Then triple. Now quadruple? Man, $1,600 is quite a bit more than the last one I saw. If we could return to the day they "only" $500, I'd grab one in a heartbeat. Well, probably not. Someone would surely beat me to it.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

This just proves my point! Every one of those items is clearly RIGHT-HANDED. The only historically correct way they could be.

(Sorry guys. Too much caffeine this morning.)

Actually...the horn and pouch is set up for a left handed shooter...
I wear 'em on my left side....So I can use my left hand to get needed items.

I am left handed...but right eye dominant...so I shoot long guns with my right hand.

Shooting my Hawken Rifle at a friend's place.

• Andy54Hawken
• Nov 25, 2021

Here I am shooting my Hawken Rifle...right handed...but my pouch and horn are carried on my left side.
Andy

 

[Member 24198]

I shoot like a normal person.

 

[Bobbygun]

Actually...the horn and pouch is set up for a left handed shooter...
I wear 'em on my left side....So I can use my left hand to get needed items.

I am left handed...but right eye dominant...so I shoot long guns with right hand.

Shooting my Hawken Rifle at a friend's place.

• Andy54Hawken
• Nov 25, 2021

Here I am shooting my Hawken Rifle...right handed...but my pouch and horn are carried on my left side.
Andy

So, a right-handed left hander? That doesn't count! LOL

Makes me think of my grandmother who was right-handed but left eye dominant. Watching her try to shoot a rifle by lining up the scope with her left eye with the buttstock pressed against her right shoulder was a marvel. She wasn't really a "gun person" at all, so I'm not sure she wasn't just trying to entertain us.

 

[titsonritz]

I shoot like a normal person.

So like crap?

 

[Quirt Evans]

At the last gun show I was looking at a Stainless Ruger new Army but it's $1600 price was off putting. I do have the before mentioned 38-40 and a Ruger Vaquro in 44-40 that I could load some black powder loads up for I suppose but when I did that in my 45 Colt the gun was gummed beyond shooting in 3 cylinders.

Yeah, the prices for an Old Army have become insane, especially the non-adjustable sight models.
The original SAA in the BP days had a "gas ring" to keep fouling out of the base pin.
The new guns, with their CNC close tolerance machining and no gas rings foul easily.
I could get 10 rounds out of my Vaqueros before the cylinders would start binding.
A close barrel>cylinder gap doesn't help either.

 

[Nosferatu]

I'm kinda curious too, mostly since I named my dog 'Flint' because it seems like a good name for a gundog, so I feel like I should at least familiarize myself with flintlock guns.