58 Caliber Roundball Loads

[Nate Eller]

I have just recently picked up my first left handed flintlock today, it has a 35 inch Bill Large straight octagon barrel that looks to be about 1:70 ROT, micro click adjustable target sights and an L&R lock. Any advice on general flintlock rifle reliability and loads for the 58. I've already got some 570 balls and 18 and 20 thousandths patches.

 

[shb]

Like every other rifle on the planet, you'll have to try some different combinations.

I had a 58 plains rifle made up with a flintlock. I started off with 75gr of 3f, and a .562 w/ a .018 patch.


It ended up liking 90gr of 3f, with a .575 ball.


75gr 3f




90gr 3f




Field testing

 

[Nate Eller]

How hard was it to fit that l&r lock into the existing lock mortice on your rifle? I have a Lyman 54 percussion that id like to put a new lock into, but I am distrustful of the l&r being supposedly drop in.

 

[shb]

I dont know, it was a custom made for me by a gunsmith friend. I dont possess those skills.

 

[Sheltowee]

Like every other rifle on the planet, you'll have to try some different combinations.

I had a 58 plains rifle made up with a flintlock. I started off with 75gr of 3f, and a .562 w/ a .018 patch.


It ended up liking 90gr of 3f, with a .575 ball.


75gr 3f
View attachment 391237



90gr 3f
View attachment 391236



Field testing
View attachment 391238








View attachment 391235

 

[Nate Eller]

I dont know, it was a custom made for me by a gunsmith friend. I dont possess those skills.

How does it do on large game? Do you usually get exit holes? WHat would your max range be?

 

[shb]

I shot one deer with it.

She didn't slow it down much.

My max would be about 125 with these old eyes.

 

[Nate Eller]

Thank you