Was getting it done, in the squirrel woods this morning, with traditional black powder gear. Rifle is a .36 caliber flintlock that I built about 6 years ago.
I think that
[/URL][/IMG] Fox squirrel will make the Boone & Crockett record book. Lol
Congrats - that fox squirrel is huge. Took my sons to their 4-H Fall Shoot and one of their disciplines is Muzzle Loaders (Blasting Pumpkins and Eggs today). There was nice older gentleman there that had a .36 cal muzzle loader that he uses for squirrel hunting. Nice to see people from all across the state still keeping the muzzle loaders going. Good job.
Beautiful rifle. I've been deer hunting for over 27 years with muzzloaders but I've never gone squirrel hunting with one. Need to get something similar to your set up.....maybe your post will be the inspiration I need.
Dnurk,
I grew up squirrel hunting. My grandfather took me out and I shot my first squirrel at 12. I always enjoyed it but I got away from it for several years. Building this .36 caliber flintlock renewed my love for squirrel hunting.
I love deer hunting but it seems like work anymore with hunting ground getting harder to access every year, the current state of our deer herd, the apparent lack of concern by our DNR and other legislatures.
Many people are less reluctant to let someone on their property to hunt lowly squirrels, let alone with black powder equipment.
I can absolutely see the appeal in using primitive weapons on game. Going back to longbow and recurves and putting the compound in the back of he closet has renewed my love for archery.
Do you find it difficult to hit them with the ignition delay of a flintlock? Or is that something you just have to practice with and get used to?
dnurk,
With a quality lock, well tuned and a proper build. (Touch hole location in relation to the lock pan, etcetera) the ignition is mere fractions of a second.
Thanks for sharing. That is a absolute beautiful rifle. I just recently got into flintlock. I recently bought a custom .32 cal flinter built by John D.Hood of Cass county Indiana. Flint locks are a real joy to shoot and hunting with one just gives one a certain satisfaction. Thanks again.
Nice firearm! Last year I helped a friend assemble a flintlock kit ~ bigger bore, can't remember if it was a 45 or 50. Turned out ok, and I was very surprised how reliable it was. We took it to a friends range and shot it about 5-10 times. Not one misfire. It however was a "dry" day. Unsure how it would handle damp or rainy days..
dnurk,
With a quality lock, well tuned and a proper build. (Touch hole location in relation to the lock pan, etcetera) the ignition is mere fractions of a second.
My tuned flintlocks always shot as fast as my percussion...So much so I went totally flintlock....Here a shot of me taken last Saturday at a Veterans Celebration with my G L Jones in .50......