Paul, thats quite an accomplishment. Shooting a matchlock makes a flintlock seem pretty modern. ch

I bought two and the one that was worn would not roll plastic.

calvins quite right .. what a thrill a fellow must have as you watched your deer fall to the ground paul....i have never shot the rope guns but i sure would give it a try....as they used to say keep your rope dry..... charlie

It came yesterday, seems to work just fine. It won't roll worn-out plastic shells - those that look awful with slits that still get star crimped a couple more times. I use a tappered tool like the ones sold to recondition shells to open the mouth a bit and start the wad by hand. Cut shells without any crimp look perfect, whether paper or plastic. So, what I found out was on 12ga shells the 12ga tool works better than the 10ga tool for used shells, more so on paper shells. If shells are cut to remove the old crimp, either one will work- the 10 being easier because it doesn't grab the shell causing it to spin as much. Maybe someone else has had a different experience. Paul

You don't really see the deer fall- tooo much smoke. There's a group that shoots just Matchlocks - don't remember their name - they have a big shoot in Wis. every year. I was told the year I got mine I was the only one in Mi. The year before my friend got a deer, two grouse, and a coyote. Now that's a serious matchlock hunter.

i did not think about all that smoke been awhile since i have hunted with my black powder guns....last deer i shot at with a bp gun was a 12 ga double barrel. i was shooting slug loads they were shaped more like flat washers than slugs...but any way here comes that large doe she stoped and gave me a broad side shot. after pulling the trigger i was amazed at the smoke that hung in the air. when the smoke cleared i had to laugh that doe was about a hundred yards away looking back at the smoke also....she was amazed at the smoke also....i never touched her thank goodness because it sure was a long way back to the truck.... charlie

The Precision reloading one is for clockwise rotation. The precision reloading one for the 10 gauge is steel. Are some of them nylon? I have one nylon one in 12 gauge but can't remember who I got it from.