The Best Flintlock Muzzleloader: Buyers Guide

Simply put, muzzleloaders are firearms that are loaded through the muzzle.  Technically, muzzleloaders are firearms that you load by sliding in a projectile via the muzzle. 

This method of loading is what differentiates muzzleloaders from the modern guns which are loaded from the rear (breech). Also, unlike advanced ammunitions that use smokeless powders, muzzleloader rifles usually use black powder, which is why they are also referred to as ‘black powder rifles.’

Flintlock Muzzleloader

The Flintlock is a firing mechanism that was developed in the late 17^th century and was deployed in pistols, muskets, and rifles for several of the centuries that followed. 

How Does a Flintlock Muzzleloader Work?

When you pull a flintlock firearm’s trigger, a hammer that’s clasping a flint strikes a steel frizzen –the frizzen covers the pan that contains the priming powder. The collision between the flint and the steel creates a spark. As a result, the powder that’s in the priming pan is ignited, and it then ignites the powder charge that’s in the barrel. 

The combustion leads to an accumulation of pressure in the back of the projectile, and it subsequently shoves it forcefully through the barrel and sends it flying toward your target. 

Flintlock Muzzleloader for Deer Hunting

Nothing epitomizes classic firearms hunting like using a flintlock muzzleloader in your hunting expeditions. Flintlock rifles are part of American history; they helped tame the rough country.

Today, those who are bold enough to use flintlock rifles in hunting revel in the thrill and challenge, and thus develop an almost spiritual connection to their firearms. For about 200 years, flintlock firearms ruled the world. Empires were toppled, continents conquered, men clipped, and game killed. 

States like Pennsylvania have an annual flintlock hunting season. There many traditional flintlock enthusiasts, especially along the Appalachian stretch, which encompasses the earliest states. So, how can you get to be part of this rich tradition?

Choosing the Right Flintlock Muzzleloader Rifle

Flintlock muzzleloader deer hunting is a sport for those who love to tinker. Choosing the best flintlock rifle is like choosing a fly rod or a bow. Where should you start? First, research guns from legacy gun manufacturers like Traditions. 

Learning the nuances of each firearm takes time. You need to get your head around the qualities of a gun and find a way of working with it. The common and readily obtainable calibers you can choose from include .54, .50, and .45. Most seasoned hunters recommend .50 as the ideal starter caliber – it has the power and range you need to learn. 

When choosing your flintlock rifle, ensure that it’s balanced and not heavier at the fore-end. The advantage of opting for a brand-name firearm is that it’ll likely have faster rifling. This means improved accuracy. The longer rifles often seen in re-enactments are not necessary, but they are more traditional, which makes them much more appealing. 

You should also consider the quality of the lock when buying a flintlock rifle. Avoid cheap low-quality locks – they are unreliable when shot, which makes them useless when you’re out hunting. 

Choose the Right Ammunition

Choosing the right ammunition for a flintlock rifle comes down to understanding your barrel’s twist rate. The common options that you can choose from are the round balls or sabot rounds. Traditionalists prefer round balls. But, most modern flintlock muzzleloaders shoot sabot ammunition, which are reliable starter- rounds.    

The optimal way of choosing the right ammunition is by considering your barrel’s twist rate. Faster twist rate translates to faster stabilization. To effectively shoot heavier grain ammunition, you need a fast-twist-rate firearm. Conversely, slower-twist-rate barrels stabilize lighter bullets better. 

Another key consideration is the grade of powder, which is based on the level of coarseness. Fg refers to coarse high-gain powder. The medium-grain powder is graded FFg while the fine-grain powders are graded FFFg and FFFFG. The fine-grain powder is for the flash pan, while higher grain powder goes into the barrel. 

To find out the optimal amount of powder that you should use in your flash pan, you need to experiment with the gun on a shooting range. Range time is particularly vital for flintlock guns because you need to find out the quantity of powder that works best in various circumstances.

The specks of powder burn one by one, so don’t pack the powder too tightly. The spark should reach the charge via the touch hole swiftly. 

Safety and Maintenance

Flintlock rifles are famously prone to accidents. Safety is, therefore, vital during use. There have been incidents where guns accidentally go off after an accidental bump on the lock, even when they’re not in a cocked position.  So always be cautious.

Flint hunters carry a calf’s knee, which is a small leather patch that, for safety reasons, covers the frizzen. Moisture is the nemesis of black powder, and its effects became an even bigger issue given muzzleloader seasons usually overlap with wintery weather conditions. 

To create a sturdy calf’ knee, you should immerse it in a Snow seal and then dry it using a hairdryer. Repeat this process a couple of times before the hunting season to protect it from moisture and to increase its lifespan. A Snow seal treated calf’s knee will also have a better grip on wood and metal and thus creates a better barrier.  

You should also ensure the frizzen remains solid and the flint sharp. The flint usually lasts several seasons before it loses its edge.  A dull or cracked flint is less likely to produce sparks when it hits the steel frizzen. You can either fix or replace the flint.

Sighting in a Flintlock Muzzleloader

For you to attain the best accuracy, you should sit in a bench rest, and also practice off-hand shooting. Flintlock rifles are typically effective from 50 to 75 yards, but seasoned shooters can push the distance up to 100 yards. 

If you’re a traditionalist and so you prefer the classic round ball, you should be aware that you may not get an instant blood trail. This is why a comprehensive pass-through is vital. You should follow through the first shot because of the small delay that follows the trigger pull. Also, experienced flintlock rifle hunters recommend using a shooting stick because any slight shift can lead to a bad shot.

The Best Flintlock Muzzleloader Rifles 

Tradition Deerhunter Flintlock .50 Caliber Muzzleloader 

This Tradition flintlock rifle blends a traditional feel with modern technology. It’s incredibly accurate, easy to shoot, and lightweight. 

Features

• Classic 1800s trade-rifle-styling. This styling gives this rifle a distinctively traditional look.
• 24″ Octagon barrel. The blued performance barrel has a 1:40 twist-rate, and it’s secured in sturdy wood or synthetic stock for superb handling and excellent balance. 
• Exceptional fiber optic sights. The rifle comes with Williams™ fiber optic-metal sights that can be adjusted for elevation and windage. The sights will give you excellent accuracy as well as work in any light. 

Pros

• Easy to shoot
• Incredibly accurate
• Reasonably priced
• Balanced
• Can shoot patched round balls, saboted bullets, and full bore-sized bullets

Cons

• No significant con

The above features make this Traditions .50 caliber flintlock rifle perfect for deer/big game hunting.

Traditions PA Pellet .50 Caliber Flintlock Muzzleloader

While this updated version of the most popular Traditions flintlock rifle is made using rugged modern materials, it still retains the early 1800s trade-rifle design. 

Features

• Detachable Accelerator Breech Plug. The removable breech makes this PA Pellet Flintlock the only flintlock muzzleloader that can fire both granular loose powder and muzzleloading propellant pellets. Its removable breech allows for consistent ignition and easy cleaning. 
• 26″ octagon barrel. The blued barrel has a 1:80 twist rate.
• An aluminum stock ramrod and a synthetic stock that is built to withstand rough weather.
• Fiber optic sights. The rifle’s Williams™ fiber-optic metal sights can be adjusted for elevation and windage. 

Pros

• Improved and strong Flintlock
• Larger and hardened frizzen face that delivers better spark and reliable ignition 
• Easy to clean
• Built using sturdy modern materials
• Classic look 

Cons

• No significant con

All these features make Traditions PA Pellet .50 Caliber Flintlock Muzzleloader fantastic for hunting big game. 

Traditions Hawken Woodsman .50 Caliber Flintlock Muzzleloader

This Hawken flintlock muzzleloader has the classic Hawken trade-rifle look. It’s a firearm for dedicated hunters seeking a stimulating and nostalgic hunting experience. It’s also ideal for hunters who in jurisdictions that don’t permit in-line muzzleloaders. 

Features

• Patch box and brass trim
• Classic Hawken rifle styling
• An adjustable rear sight that allows for precise shooting
• Hardwood stock
• Double-set triggers
• .50 caliber
• Blued 28″ octagon barrel

Pros

• Affordable
• Great performance
• The hooked breech makes barrel removal super-easy 
• Left-hand versions available

Cons

• Nothing significant

This elegant looking and the historically valuable piece is ideal for deer/big game hunting. 

Traditions Pennsylvania Flintlock Rifle 

This Traditions Pennsylvania Flintlock Rifle is period-accurate (it’s approved for ‘authentic re-enactment’ by American Revolutionary Brigade). It recreates the best features of the traditional long rifles.  

Features

• Walnut stock that has a cheek piece
• Brass ornamentation 
• .50 caliber
• Blued 40.25 barrel
• Double-set triggers
• Sturdy brass patch box
• 1.66 Twist
• Adj/Blasé sights

Pros

• Period accurate
• Beautiful ornamentation
• Solid walnut stock

Cons

• Nothing significant

All these features make the Traditions Pennsylvania Flintlock Rifle fantastic for re-enactments and hunting.

Flintlock Muzzleloader Kit

To set up and maintain your rifle, you’ll need a tool kit. Here are some of the necessary items that a flintlock muzzleloader kit should have:

• Fouling scraper – it should be caliber specific and customized for your ramrod. It will help you scrape the powder residue from your breech.
• Cleaning Jag – it should fit your ramrod and be suitable for your caliber. 
• Bullet puller – slides to the end of the ramrod, and it comes with a screw that can clasp a round ball in case you’ve forgotten to add powder before loading. That way, it allows you to extract the bullet so that you get back to shooting.
• Nipple Wench – used whenever there is an obstruction or to extract the nipple when it needs cleaning.
• Parch Worm – used to excavate patches dropped into the bore during cleaning.
• Vent pick, flat-head screwdriver, and knapping tool – used to clean the flash-hole, flake the flint sharp, and to change flints. 

Traditions Performance Firearms Muzzleloader Flintlock Shooter’s Kit

This Flintlock Shooter’s Kit includes nearly everything you need to prime and load your .50 – .54 caliber rifles. Its brass parts are durable and era correct. 

Features  

• Brass pan primer
• Wooden ball starter
• Deluxe powder flask
• Brass adjustable power measuring kit with a swivel-top funnel
• Universal cleaning pick

This kit has nearly everything you need to operate your flintlock firearm. 

Thompson Center T17 Muzzleloader Cleaning Kit

This kit avails to you every cleaning tool you need for your muzzleloader flintlock. It includes supplies and several accessories to ensure thorough and non-abrasion cleaning.  

Features

• A 3-piece aluminum rod that has a molded handle
• Natural lube. Prevents rust, reduces fouling and improves accuracy.
• Powder solvent/bore cleaner. It prevents corrosion and rust and also improves the ease of loading.
• Breech plug grease. Protects breech plugs by preventing fouling residue accumulation. Besides, the grease holds up to high operating temperatures.
• Bronze bore brush
• Breech-thread cleaning brush
• One year warranty

Your muzzleloader is to remain corrosion-free, and for it to maintain optimum performance, you need to keep it clean. This kit provides you with almost all you need to clean your black powder rifle. 

Flintlock Muzzleloading Rifle Hunting Tips

When using a flintlock rifle in hunting, you have to get close to your game. And because reloading takes longer, the shot you choose to take should be accurate and ethical. The rifle’s limitations make the hunting process incredibly challenging and invigorating.

However, muzzleloading can be frustrating if you don’t put effort into mastering the art. Here are the key muzzleloader hunting tips you should always keep in mind:

Practice, Practice, Practice

You should find processes that are effective and then practice them regularly. If you want to take down the game in the hunting ground, you should first do your homework in the shooting range. With practice, you’ll also have fewer accidents.

Consistency is Key

Your loading routine should be based on the type of gun and propellant you’ve chosen to use. But regardless of your set up, you should stick to the same process. And you should consistently practice the loading routine in the shooting range.

The more you repeat your routine, the quicker you’ll be, and the easier the processes will feel when you’re out hunting. If you get fast enough, you may even get to take second shots. 

Prep for Loading

Before you shove your propellant through the muzzle, first prepare your firearm. Start by checking whether the gun is loaded already. To check for this, use a pre-marked ramrod that shows the unloaded and loaded levels.

Insert the rod to find out if it gets to the unloaded level, if it doesn’t, find if there is something in the gun that should be removed before you load. This step is vital; never skip it because double-loading is dangerous. 

Once you’ve checked the barrel, fire off a primer while the gun is unloaded, do this with the gun pointed downwards. Firing a primer confirms that the barrel is clear as well as clears oil and moisture that may be in the breech plug. 

Ensure that Your Shot is Fully Seated

After you’ve loaded the propellant, ensure that it’s fully seated before you proceed. So push the ramrod firmly, but not too hard that you crush your pellets. This is one of the steps that you can only master through practice.

If there is a gap between the propellant and the bullet, it can cause a blockage that can ruin your gun or seriously injure the shooter. Gaps can also lower accuracy, something you don’t want when you’ve got only one shot.

Unload After Use

If your gun was loaded all through the day, it is likely to pick up some moisture. So it’s prudent to unload it after use and start with a fresh load the next day.

You can unload by removing the propellant and the breech plug and then pushing the bullet out through the muzzle. Or, you can simply fire the gun. You should, however, only fire to the ground or in the firing range. You should also be considerate to your neighbors. The noise can disturb others, and it may even be illegal to shoot at night. 

Have the Right Gear

You can’t successfully hunt using a flintlock muzzleloader if you lack the right gear. The essential gear includes a bullet starter, a ramrod, a quality scope, and a powder measure and flask. 

Flintlock muzzleloader hunting is a historically rich sport that’s stimulating and fulfilling. If you have a passion for the flint, black powder, and steel, you should join the small but faithful and vibrant muzzleloading community scattered across the country. Flintlock muzzleloading allows you to develop a special relationship with the wild.