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Flint lock turkey chasing

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Anyone ever try it? I've been wanting to get a flint lock for some time now and just haven't found a "need". Sitting back this morning listening to the hens cluck kinda made me want to chase that bird. I've never had the want to chase them before this morning. So my mind started wandering…it went from "hey retard, you need a turkey gun" so I started thinking about finding an old single shot Tom Killer (or whatever they called them things) to going even more classic. Flint lock and making all my own gear.

I feel like at my age, starting a new hunting adventure needs to come with some challenges. So here I am…thinking about home made calls and building a flint lock.:smiley_blackeye:

Is this another coyote den idea? Or is this a damn cool and fun idea? I really like the old school ways of doing things but I'll probably never take a stick bow into the woods after deer. I simply don't have that kind of dedication. This project would most likely take place over a couple of years. (I'm smiling just thinking about scratching at some chunk of wood at the campground)
 

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
Supporting Member
6,551
66
SW Ohio
In Ohio I'm sure it would have to be a flintlock shotgun and not a rifle.
 

Bigslam51

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
25,778
127
Stark County
This is more of a project and like I said, I always wanted one. This is about the adventure of trying to kill one like the old days and has very little to do with the actual killing.
I honestly don't think they hunted turkeys with a flintlock shotgun a long time ago. It wasn't until the NWTF and state agencies started stocking birds that there became a huntable population. Good luck though[emoji41]
 

CJD3

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
14,630
201
NE Ohio
I have had and hunted with a flint lock since 1974. Every time I step into the woods with it, I am sucked back in time to my mountain man dream...

Simple black powder flint locks, like anything else is a discipline in/of its self. Having someone with experience get you started will cut down on the learning curve.
I have not done the shotgun side but have enjoyed the patch and round ball very much... 3F and 4F powder can sometimes be diffacult to find in OH but PA always seems to have it and a can will last a long time so buy 2 of each.


... and besides, You never know what other projects a little black powder will come in handy for!

I built a kit gun from Thompson all those years ago and would never part with it.
Don't waste money on cleaning stuff. The best solution I have ever used i'll give here for free.

1/3 Murphy Oil soap
1/3 Hydrogen peroxide
1/3 Rubbing alcohol

Mix it up in a water bottle or Gatorade bottle and it will last you for years.

Good luck the new adventure!!!
 
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MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
Supporting Member
6,551
66
SW Ohio
I honestly don't think they hunted turkeys with a flintlock shotgun a long time ago. It wasn't until the NWTF and state agencies started stocking birds that there became a huntable population. Good luck though[emoji41]

Reading the Indian history wars of the Oh-PA-WV area and there was turkey in great numbers in the 1700's. But they did use mostly flintlock rifles but there is a lot of flintlock shotguns mentioned as farm guns.
 

Bigslam51

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
25,778
127
Stark County
Reading the Indian history wars of the Oh-PA-WV area and there was turkey in great numbers in the 1700's. But they did use mostly flintlock rifles but there is a lot of flintlock shotguns mentioned as farm guns.
Did it happen to say how many? I know they were wiped clean in the early 1900's from Ohio.
 

Gordo

Senior Member
5,515
121
Athens County
Seems like it'd be a lot of fun and a whole other hobby to dive into!

Hope at some point I'm carrying a flint lock for deer. Going to dust off my old mans TC Renegade first! Hopefully get him on a deer with it next year! Be epic!


 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
It seems to be a bit difficult to put a dollar amount on these things! A crazy range in prices, I had no idea… This might be out of my price range.