Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters the Flintlock Smoothbore- Best weapon System ever?

I've followed the thread on the Remington pump rifle with interest, and agree that there is a lot to be said for its usefulness. Just for discussion's sake, how about considering the old flintlock smoothbore as the best firearms weapons system? It has been around in its present state of development for going on 400 years after all, and is still used by many hunters. I submit that such a musket can be used for big game by shooting a patched round ball or can also be used for small game or birds by shooting a load of shot. All you need is black powder, a flint,and a projectile; no need for special ammunition. Simple, rugged, easily repaired and maintained, very reliable even in bad weather. You can find a flint as long as the world is still made of rock; and make powder if you had to. I think that flintlock smoothbore guns could well rank as the best firearms weapon system; what do others think?

I'd say that a bore size that allows for the use of both shot and ball is darn near the perfect gun! Western movies and historical movies really give the smoothbore a short sheet! More smoothies went west than rifled weapons during the days of westward expansion.

Dan

Does Barnes make a TSX for that one? If not, most drug store cowboys wouldn't want to be seen with one.

Don't forget they must have synthetic stocks and 56mm variable powered scopes.

Seriously though, I have always held that if one considered the time spent at home reloading ammo, a muzzle loader might be the fastest firing firearm there is.

And you can load them with broken up metal trinkets and gravel for that truly primitive hunt.

Perhaps they could. The M1 tank fires a sabot round in a smooth bore. The projectile uses fins for stability. It is very accurate, but an anti-tank projectile has different requirements than one for hunting.

As has 458 Win, I've wondered if I spend more time reloading cartridges than I would stuffing a muzzle loader. I'll be getting one as soon as I get back to the US this summer.

So as to look authentic, be sure to have your smooth bore flint-lock equipped with a camo, plastic stock.

Wayne

and with a little more effort, one could manufacture their own powder. You just might be right.

Feast your eyes, gentlemen:

Track of the Wolf

The smooth bore flintlock is definitely versatile, no doubt about that. If the bore is made well, they even have a modicum of accuracy beyond 50 yards and can keep minute of deer groups.

Or here if you're looking for a fun winter project. Track also has a Brown Bess kit for the more modern among us.

My fave, a Northwest Trade Gun here.

Uh� The same can be said for the Bow & arrow� and it could be more accurate�
Things evolve the musket was good for its time� so was the Wheel Lock.

I've got two flinters. You might be able to say the same thing about cleaning. I'm sure I spend more time getting the copper out than I ever did maintaining my smokepoles.

My favorite flintlock maker is Caywood Gunmakers...Going squirrel hunting with them tomorrow.

Shooting patched roundballs with open sights, a traditional muzzleloader will group nearly as well out to a hundred yards as a centerfire, scoped rifle.

A target muzzleloader, and especially those set up for long range using aperture sights, will group as well or better than a centerfire rifle. These are presently used in competition around the world.