Flintlock pistol for competition

[tacfoley]

I applied for buying permit for .44 or .45 flintlock pistol few weeks ago. Hoping to get the permit next week.

I´ll be shooting flintlock among percussion pistol and -revolver in national competitions, so pistol must have smooth bore of min. cal 11mm (.433)

I´v heard and read that the Hege Manton is the king of the hill. But there aren´t many of them for sale. egun lists only one at the moment. That one is priced 1600€ - way too much for me..

Pedersoli Le Page might be a good one too, but what else is out there? What pistols are used in international competitions?

You've just listed THE two dominant pistols that are replications of the finest of their kind ever made. The Kuechenreuter is up there too. I also have to admit that while I've seen a flintlock LePage, I've never seen a flintlock Kuechenreuter.

There comes a time when you have to bite the bullet and stump up for the £££/$$$/eu. Shooting in the Nationals with anything less than the very best shooting device available is a waste of your time - you want to 'fly with the eagles' without having 'eagle wings' Never happen, Sir. That's why Ferrari win races, and Hyundai doesn't. There HAS to be a good reason why the best in the world shoot the best pistols. No champion muzzle-loader ever won using a cheap gun to do it.

I suggest that you examine what your fellow national squad shooters are shooting, and do the same. Have a look on Youtube at the current and many-times national champion of Hungary's channel - his channel can be found under capandball. He obviously has very close connections to the Pedersoli factory, something that might work to your advantage if you can pursuade them to work with YOU. He is an engagingly good guy, and speaks excellent, if often rather odd, English, a bit like me, really.

I also recommend to the a VERY good book, in English, written by one of the UK's top muzzleloading pistol shooters, Derek Fuller. It's called 'The Definitive guide to shooting muzzleloading pistols' and is THE book whatever level of shooting you are at. If you have problems finding a copy, PM me and we'll arrange something.

tac