Traditions Hawken 48 twist

[1marty]

I bought the rifle brand new . At the range yesterday I loaded it with maxi hunters and then Hornady great plains conicals. With both loads they shot all over the place at 50 yards. I was using 80 grains 777 ffg.  I'm wondering if I've overdone the powder charge? Any help is appreciated.

[quickdtoo]

If you wish to discuss sabots, please post in the Modern Inline forum and read the sticky on what can be discussed in this forum. 

Tim

[flintlock]

With muzzleloaders you are handloading...You have to put in the time to find what will work...It could be as simple as going up or down 5grs in powder charge or possible trying another powder like Pyrodex...Keep notes so you know what works and what doesn't work...

[squirrellluck]

Neither of the 2  conicals mentioned are sabots are they? My understanding T7 is hotter than pyrodex and I believe it recommends reducing the charge some. I would back the charge off a little and try again.

[quickdtoo]

Neither of the 2  conicals mentioned are sabots are they?

Nope, that part of the post was removed since sabots can't be discussed here.

Tim

[squirrellluck]

Thanks Quick I actually googled both conicals cause I thought I was missing something

[coyotejoe]

Assuming you are purchasing boxed bullets I have often found them to have damaged bases which ruins accuracy. If you want to shoot conicals you really need to cast your own and be very critical with your inspection, dropping any with even the slightest flaw back into the pot. Conicals also need to be a good fit to the bore of your individual rifle or accuracy will be poor. Patched balls give one more leeway since the patch material is compressible and .001"+ or - is not even noticeable.
 In limited testing I have found T7 to be a very sensitive powder, shooting well with one specific charge and wildly with only a slightly different charge. Blackpowder or pyrodex are much more forgiving of small variations so that if you don't happen to hit the magic number right off the bat you will at least be on the paper.
The only other advise I can give is that you can't just choose an arbitrary number, like "I want to shoot 80 grains" and expect fine accuracy. That arbitrary number MAY be fine or you may find that 70 or 90 grains shoots much better from your individual rifle. Only shooting will tell.

[simonkenton]

I have a 1:48 twist rifle that shoots great with patched round balls.
Why don't you try round balls?

[mountainman09]

try lowering the poder charge or try real blackpowder goex 3f even try round balls

[Paleface]

My .54 Hawken (T/C) shoots real good with 70 grains 777, 530 round ball and .18 patch. Try lowering your powder charge. Try different projectiles. A 1 in 48 should shoot round ball & conicals pretty good. I would start at 60 grains and work up by 5. I had a couple of .50 cals with a 1 in 48 twist that liked the Lee "real" bullet, 250 grain if I remember right. Try different things.

[mountainman09]

a hawkins was made to shoot real blackpowder if you read owners manual it tell to use real blackpowder no subs.they will work but ive seen touch holes blown out the subs like 777/pyrodex/shocky burn alot hotter and that means more pressure so for you guys that use this stuff in the traditional guns just be careful

[Paleface]

I hear you, I keep the charge light. Sometimes it's real hard to find the real stuff around here. I prefer real also. As a side note, I might mention that I do not have a high opinion of traditions muzzleloaders as  I purchased one several years ago, and the ignition hole (where the nipple screws in) wasn't machined correctly. Instead of a hole, there was a small slit. I took the gun back and bought a T/C.

[1marty]

I switched from loose 777 fff to 777 ff. I've toned down the charge from 80 gr. to 65 gr. I'm getting 4 inch groups at 50 yrads with the maxi. I wasn't even getting on the paper before. I know I sound like a trader but I tried a few thompson 300 grain shock wave super glide sabots which I use in my Omega and have been getting consistant sub 1 inch groups. I'm going to try the maxi again however, I'll try a heavier bullet.

[mountainman09]

i have 15 different b/p guns all flints i use goex in them all i have a cheap cva hawkins my frist gun i get a 1in to a 1and a quarter group at 50 ydrs thats with a 490r/b and a 18thous patch 68grs of 3f

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

i'd try pyrodex RS. Never had much luck with T7 with maxi balls or the great plains conicals. Also make sure your tang screw it tight. Ive had great groups that went up crap creek because the tang screw had come loose.

[Bigeasy]

Lyman Great Plains Bullets over 100 grains of Pyrodex RS in my two Lyman .54's (one flint, one cap) both shoot fine groups with their 1/48 twist.  Those soft, 400 grain bullets really put a deer down on a chest shot.

Larry

[Swampman]

Switch to patched round balls.  The subs work fine in most percussion guns.