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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Advantages of A Flintlock Muzzle-loader.
1) Ammo is less expensive than a modern equivalent caliber firearm.
2) The smoothbore is very versatile, being able to digest round ball, bird shot, & buckshot, or any combination of two of these (can also use minies).
3) The fusil is lighter to carry than a modern equivalent sized gun.
4) You can vary the load if needs be.
5) The smoothbore will digest other projectiles besides lead.
6) Lead can be retrieved from downed game & remoulded with a simple mould & lead ladle. This means that you can carry less lead, & more of the lighter gunpowder.
7) You can make your own gunpowder.
8) You can use the lock to make fire without the need for gunpowder.
9) You can use gunpowder for gunpowder tinder fire lighting if needs be.
10) IF the lock should malfunction (these are very robust & it is not likely) you can easily repair it if you are carrying a few spare springs & a few simple tools.
11) If you do not have any spare parts & the lock malfunctions, you can easily convert it to a tinderlock or matchlock & continue using it.
12) You do not need a reloader, brass shells, caps, or primers. The latter have been known to break down in damp conditions or if they are stored for too long.
13) Wadding for ball or shot is available from natural plant materials or homemade leather or rawhide.
14) Less chance of being affected by future ammunition control legislation.
15) Gunpowder is easily obtainable providing you have a muzzle-loader registered in your name regardless of caliber (only NSW is looking at this legislation at present).
16) A .32 caliber flintlock rifle is more powerful than a .22 rimfire, less expensive to feed, more accurate over a greater distance, able to take small & medium sized game, & other than not being able to use shot (unless it is smoothbore), it has all the attributes of the other flintlocks.
17) Damage from a .62 caliber-.75 caliber pistol or long arm is in the extreme. Wounded prey is unlikely to escape.
18) By using buck & ball you are unlikely to miss your target. This load is capable of taking out more than one target.
19) There is less kick-back to a muzzle-loading gun.
20) Antique Flintlock muzzle-loading guns do not require a license, registration, or a permit to purchase in NSW Australia.
 

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I have done a lot of reading up on making black powder, and it seems relatively straight forward and doable IF the ingredients can be sauced. I'm sure there are natural sulfer deposits in Australia some were, but I haven't heard of any(unlike NZ), I know when you heat mica or fools gold it gives of sulfer and there may be other easily refined resouces out there that I'm unaware of but it would take a lot of effort to get it in any worth while quantities. I have heard sulfer isn't essential for black powder, that it just lowers the ignition point, so I don't know if sulferless black powder would work in a flint lock.

Likewise with potassium nitrate, I understand the processes for extracting it from animal dung etc or even human urine, but once again take a lot of work to get it in any real quantities. Has any poster here ever done this?

So if you have to stock pile ingrediants, why not just stockpile modern loaded ammo. I new a fella that used to shoot buffalo with a 22lr, and I have taken dozens of roos over the years with a 22. If you got to rely on hunting to feed yourself your in a whole world of trouble. Learn how to trap and run livestock.

As I said before,I understand were your comeing from Keith, I have been keeping my eye out for a 32 or 36cal muzel loader now for quiet awhile, but I'm also stocking ammo deep, particularly 22lr.
 

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I have used a sugar/potassium nitrate mix in a homemade black powder firearm when I was experimenting (pre 96 when it wasn't a problem to have such things). It worked OK and I know it's also used as a rocket propellant so care is advised
 

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
A Muzzleloader Preference.

I have done a lot of reading up on making black powder, and it seems relatively straight forward and doable IF the ingredients can be sauced. I'm sure there are natural sulfer deposits in Australia some were, but I haven't heard of any(unlike NZ), I know when you heat mica or fools gold it gives of sulfer and there may be other easily refined resouces out there that I'm unaware of but it would take a lot of effort to get it in any worth while quantities. I have heard sulfer isn't essential for black powder, that it just lowers the ignition point, so I don't know if sulferless black powder would work in a flint lock.

Likewise with potassium nitrate, I understand the processes for extracting it from animal dung etc or even human urine, but once again take a lot of work to get it in any real quantities. Has any poster here ever done this?

So if you have to stock pile ingrediants, why not just stockpile modern loaded ammo. I new a fella that used to shoot buffalo with a 22lr, and I have taken dozens of roos over the years with a 22. If you got to rely on hunting to feed yourself your in a whole world of trouble. Learn how to trap and run livestock.

As I said before,I understand were your comeing from Keith, I have been keeping my eye out for a 32 or 36cal muzel loader now for quiet awhile, but I'm also stocking ammo deep, particularly 22lr.
Obviously running a trap line will save ammunition, I have been hunting & trapping for a long time now. Over 20 years without electricity supplying our own food, but now we have solar power it is much easier.
From personal experience I have learnt that the rimfire .22 has its limitations. I do think however that where you can modern firearms should be kept for defence purposes only. Using them for defence & hunting will deplete the ammo supply much faster.
It is simply a matter of experience & personal choice, if I ever had to rely on only one gun, then I choose a flintlock for long term wilderness living. Ammo wise gunpowder weighs less than lead, lead can be retrieved from shot game & remoulded. This means that I can carry a lot of gunpowder in wallets & much less lead.
Keith.
 

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i thought you could make black powder from manure and urine and charcoal, correct me if im wrong? how did the chinese used to make it in centuries past, damn i want to live in nsw now!!!!!

id love to have one.

stupid gun laws in aus. really.
 
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