Blackpowder question

[ON THE EDGE]

I recently received a Cabelas Hawkins .54 caliber blackpowder for christmas. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with loads and bullets working in this thing. I can hit better with my bow right now. any info will help thanks. By the way I am shooting 120 grains pyrodex and 435 grain conicals that came with it.

[esp]

Try dropping your powder charge,sometimes less is better and a lot less painful. 100grains should be enough out to 60-80yds

[mav918]

I have the same rifle. I also have one in .50 cal. Love both of them. I agree with the less powder. 100 grains is more than enough. I have set my powder measure to 95 grains and left it there for both rifles. I shoot alot of round balls for kicks, but when hunting, I use sabots in both. I prefer to hunt with the .50 cal and shoot a 230 grain .45 cal jacketed hollow point sabot. Dropped my first deer last season at about 65 yds. He never even kicked.

[Johnny Dangerr]

I have the same rifle. I also have one in .50 cal. Love both of them. I agree with the less powder. 100 grains is more than enough. I have set my powder measure to 95 grains and left it there for both rifles. I shoot alot of round balls for kicks, but when hunting, I use sabots in both. I prefer to hunt with the .50 cal and shoot a 230 grain .45 cal jacketed hollow point sabot. Dropped my first deer last season at about 65 yds. He never even kicked.

The hollow point sabot is the way to go......

[ON THE EDGE]

I have the same rifle. I also have one in .50 cal. Love both of them. I agree with the less powder. 100 grains is more than enough. I have set my powder measure to 95 grains and left it there for both rifles. I shoot alot of round balls for kicks, but when hunting, I use sabots in both. I prefer to hunt with the .50 cal and shoot a 230 grain .45 cal jacketed hollow point sabot. Dropped my first deer last season at about 65 yds. He never even kicked.

I heard sabots don't work in these rifles. Do you get good groups out of your sabots and what kind are they? Also do you have your original sights? I know it is a lot of questions but a couple of days ago was the first time i ever picked up a blackpowder.

[mav918]

I heard sabots don't work in these rifles. Do you get good groups out of your sabots and what kind are they? Also do you have your original sights? I know it is a lot of questions but a couple of days ago was the first time i ever picked up a blackpowder.

As for sabots not working in this type BP rifle, I haven't had any issues. They have always worked well for me. The accuracy is okay, but I wouldn't say it would be a long range go getter!! The accuracy for me with the loads I shoot is around a three shot group of around 4 to 5 inches at about 75 yds. This to me is not bad for a shoulder shot on deer sized target. The sights are the original irons. Ergo the closer the better for the accuracy of the rifle. There are so many options to play with. Powder brands and blends, projectile types, even percussion caps. All I can suggest is you try different combinations and see what works best for you. The most important advise I can give you is to properly clean and maintain the rifle after each time you shoot. Black powder and pyrodex blends are extremely corrosive and if not tended to, will eat away the bore. Go online to find more info as needed. Black powder is a "blast" to shoot. Lol. Have fun.

[Wayne Meuir]

The twist rate in the barrell determines whether it will shoot conicals or round balls well. Many round ball barrells have a 1:60 or 1:66 twist rate while conical barrells that shoot conical bullets and sabots use a much faster twist rate.

I am shooting 70-80 grains of Pyrodex in a Lyman Great Plains rifle with patched round balls and the best grouping I have been able to do so far is about 3" at 50 yards. I ahve been told to increase the load a little at a time and see what happens. The max on my rifle is 120 grains of FFg.

Wayne

[ON THE EDGE]

thanks i will try some different loads.