Let's do this again

[Hanshi]

Yes, we've done this before but it's been a while.  And see, we just got to get something going.  So here it is.............

Some shooters like percussion - the majority if traffic on percussion threads are any indication - while others (me included) prefer flint.  But!  Sometimes the preferred type of ignition doesn't coincide with a favorite gun.  This may be a sentimental attachment, it could be just their best shooter, or simply something special about the gun, the builder, a previous owner or something else.  So here is a multiple question.

What kind of smoke pole best scratches your itch?

1.  flint or percussion?
2.  rifle or smoothbore?
3.  caliber?
4.  provenance?   (builder, factory, domestic or imported, anything else)?
5.  Primary use?   (hunting, target, plinking, matches, other)?
6.  favorite load(s)?   (for each use)?
7.  Best?   (trophy and or adventure, match, whatever)?
8.  PHOTOS:?

Be lengthy, specific, forthcoming!!!

[flintboomer]

Do I favor flint or percussion? Yes, whichever I'm using at the time!
Caliber? 32 is special purpose, but otherwise: 40, 45, 50, 54, 58 or 60. It depends on the day and the targets. I've shot a lot of 50 and 54 during big game seasons and the old TC Renegade in 54 caliber is a long time favorite for deer and elk but I also loved my Pedersoli Kentucky until it lost its accuracy and I retired it. 40 and 45 are great for target work but I've been mostly shooting a .58 since I've been here in Oklahoma. It really rings the gongs and gives me a slight advantage on the chain.

I like too many of them to decide on a true favorite, but for targets at monthly matches I will usually shoot either the 58 or the 40. Both are percussion but I may pull out a flintlock when the weather gets better.

[Hanshi]

Feeta clay, that's me.  I just like guns and like some of you I like the one I happen to be holding.  I will admit a preference for .45 caliber.  I've used it on everything from squirrels, coons, bobcats and deer.  In fact I've used it on game far more than any other caliber. 

I own and have killed deer - and some odd smaller critters when the opportunity arises - with .45, .50, .54 and .62.  With the .32 and .36 I helped lots of squirrels eat dust.  I'll even go out on a limb and claim the Tradition's Crockett .32 to be the "ne plus ultra" of squirrel rifles.  I have a nice poor boy flintlock SMR .32 that is good looking and accurate; but no more accurate than the Crockett.

My favorite deer rifle for years (I no longer hunt) is a .36" straight barreled flintlock Lancaster style in.....ready for it?  .45.  But several years ago I had Matt at TVM pull his hair out and build what some call a "Frankenrifle" but is actually an early Lancaster/late Lancaster/York/ freestyle .50.  Never have I ever held a rifle that absolutely fit me.  Lop is 12.5", barrel is a swamped 38" with a radius groove bore and a Golden Age flint lock.  Weight is 7 lbs 2 oz, only 2 ounces heavier than the little 36" Lancaster .45.  Ironically it has never taken a deer.  I'm a little guy and do well with youth style equipment.

I'll mention the wonderful .54 percussion I've owned for at least 20 years.  It is a US M1841 Mississippi rifle.  It has killed deer.  The ONLY downside is the weight (10.5 lbs) which makes it tiresome to carry long distances or handle in a tree stand.  But it is spooky accurate.

There are a few others but these three (.45, .50  & .54) needed mentioning.  Now I'll turn our program over to you guys.

My most used small bore is a .36 SMR.  I shoot it a lot and it has hunted in the woods for small game and at the range for paper targets. 

[hotfxr]

As much as I love flinters, lately the only shooting I have done is with two antique percussion cap shotguns. The SXS double is big, heavy, and I can load it so it doesn't make much noise. But it does smoke like a coal fire chimney.

[Blackfeet]

Picked up a left-handed Cabela's Hawken with a 36 cal Green mt barrel and the original 50 cal which shoot to the same point at 50 yds with the Lyman Tang sight.
Use my Dad's TC Hawken with a Green mt 54 for all hunting.
All percussion

[Hanshi]

I can't hunt but am restless to get my .50 out and have fun.  It's a bit weird but that's because it was built to fit me like my right arm.  I think I may start calling it my "favorite" rifle even though it will never hunt.


My .50 with matching pistol.

[doggoner]

I've shown this before but this site needs some pictures, so--- This is my black powder gun rack. They are all my favorites. Just depends on which one I take shooting. From the top: 20 ga smoothy, 24 ga smoothy, 50 cal rifle, 45 cal Kibler SMR, 36 cal TVM kit I assembled and modified, 32 cal Traditions Crockett and last a Traditions Deer Hunter restocked by Mongrel for the grandkids to shoot. Yes, I got all my grandkids a black powder rifle and they all shoot. I've put single triggers on most all my guns as that's what I prefer.

doggoner

[hotfxr]

I have decided that whichever firearm is in my hands at the moment is my favorite one.   

[Red Badger]

I have decided that whichever firearm is in my hands at the moment is my favorite one.   

AMEN!  Now if I only got time to shoot!  Of course I wonder what would happen if a certain Naval "Castle Canon" were rehomed to the Bridge of the USS Batfish... Hmmmm I could get myself in trouble... Piracy on the High River? 

[Hanshi]

Just to keep things going I thought I should lable the guns in the posted photo.  Plus I can now add a couple not shown.
TOP TO BOTTOM

.54 US M1841.
.62 Early American smoothbore.
.32 poor boy SMR.
.36 SMR.
.50 "youth size" early Lancaster mix.
.45 late Lancaster.[/color
.50 flint pistol.

.45 H&A underhammer.

.45 late Lancaster.

.45 Mike Lange "Rugrat".

[bmtshooter]

Great collection.  Good time of year to get them dirty.

[Hanshi]

I'm beyond ready to create clouds of white smoke and only just need the opportunity.  Currently, "opportunities" are not available due to recent knee replacement surgery and the fact that I no longer drive.  I've been a member of a rifle club for years but haven't been able to get to the range more than a few times the past couple of years.  Tough to accept but that's just the way it is right now.

[bmtshooter]

You could be on the news - that guy who shoots guns in his front yard.

[Hanshi]

You could be on the news - that guy who shoots guns in his front yard.

Or behind bars.  (and not the  kind of bars)

[hotfxr]

I shoot guns and even my cannon in the front yard. And I haven't been arrested yet, for that.