how many matchlock shooters here???

[Hanshi]

 devel  Yall done got me riled up, here.  Now I gotta get a matchlock.  Shame on all of you!  I'm gonna start looking around for a kit of some sort that doesn't require significant ability to build.  Can't really afford anything right now (I hear ya, Dryball, about living on disability) but who knows, Publisher's Clearing House may be right outside my door RIGHT NOW with a big check.

[Dryball]

  Good one!

[Wahkahchim]

Hi, I'm new here. John buck is building me a .62 Snaphance. Any clue about how to get accuracy out of a smoothbore? My matchlock is just dismal. I'm going to change the patch thickness and see what happens.

[voyageur1688]

I aint got one but wanna get one. My family started making guns back when matchlocks were the "in thing"--or should I say the only thing? and I am very interested in them for that reason. We been gun nuts since they were a fairly new concept in France. Guess some things are handed down through the generations in genetics.
Voy

[Wahkahchim]

I'm just wondering. I'm new to all this, so I am trying to understand. Can a smoothbore shoot well at 100 yards? Thanks.

[old salt]

That question has been debated for years. using windage and elevation
it can be done, but the major question is can it be done consistently.
We Have target at the range that is  a bear about 3x4 feet with 8 inch
heart, with a flag attached. I will hit the bear 10 out of 10 and the heart
6 out of 10 times.
The thing you have to know is that I have probably 200 to 250 round
down range and that I know the distance, and I stand in the same spot
every time. I have not tried a 100 yard target, but I would say that if a person wanted to spend the time, powder and ball they could get to the
point where they could hit the target.
Just one mans experience

[Hanshi]

I remember (as a kid) watching my uncle building matchlocks so we'd be well armed enough to repel the frequent Spanish attacks.  They were usually small foraging bands.  A matchlock would punch right through their armor in most cases.  They also helped scare off hostile Indians.  Now that I'm getting a bit gray I'd like to make one like the ones my uncle made.  Of course we don't have to worry about the Spanish anymore (or British) for that matter.  Just want one for old time sake.