Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

I've been Blackpowder hunting for at least 20 years.

Many of you have seen pics of my guns,including a couple I fashioned myself.

For deer I prefer my .45 cal,Halfstock with a great 28" 1.5"thick Colerain gain twist full octagon Bbl w/traditional buckhorn sights,curly maple stock,browned Iron furniture and a super fast Siler lock with a roller frizzen.I generally back it up with a .440 round ball and an .020 greased patch.With 110 grains of FFG behind it I'll get a fairly flat trajectory for up to 300 yards with no groove stripping,even though I have to hammer the ball and patch into the barrel Schuetzen style,which is why I chamfered the muzzle.

One thing with Flintlocks,never use leather to hold the flint,but sheet lead instead.And...the finer the priming powder and the least amount will assure you the most rapid ignition,but most fill the priming pan full which is a mistake.

Always use water when cleaning the barrel out,then swab it with oil and the bore will be like new.