.45 or .50?

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RWMC

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I own a t/c .50 Hawken and a .50 T/C White Mountain Carbine.
Today I came across an older T/C .45 Hawken built from a kit. The owner is possibly interested in trading his .45 Hawken even up for my .50 Hawken. His .45 is old enough that there is no “Hawken “ name on it, or the black powder warning label. His .45 has a nice bore and my .50 has some light scattered pitting.
I have other m/l rifle which I use for hunting deer here in the Iowa late season.
Should I make the swap?
 
I like bigger bore than that but I also like trying new things out.

If I had two 50s already and that trade deal was offered, I would take it.
 
I have a fairly early 45. It’s a great gun with ball but it ain’t much with bullets and it’s horrendous with sabots and 40 cal pistol bullets. I had some ignition issues but a musket nipple fixed it. 70 to 75 gr equivalent in pyrodex ffg is the sweet spot. I prefer it to my 50 cal but it’s awfully heavy. Same barrel blank but smaller hole. You know your packing it.
 
RWMC said:
I own a t/c .50 Hawken and a .50 T/C White Mountain Carbine.
Today I came across an older T/C .45 Hawken built from a kit. The owner is possibly interested in trading his .45 Hawken even up for my .50 Hawken. His .45 is old enough that there is no “Hawken “ name on it, or the black powder warning label. His .45 has a nice bore and my .50 has some light scattered pitting.
I have other m/l rifle which I use for hunting deer here in the Iowa late season.
Should I make the swap?
Click to expand...
I have one early 45 and I wouldn’t sell it for any amount of money. Home cast and lubed maxi balls and the 340 grain I bullets are very accurate and when the kids want to plink a 440 round ball over 40 grains of Swiss is just a dandy load.
 
Well, I made the swap tonight and took home the .45 T/C Hawken.
It is a kit rifle. It does not have the black powder instruction/warning label on the side of the barrel. Also, it has the small clean-out screw through the bolster. Whoever assembled it, chose to brown the barrel and did a nice job. The hammer is also the old-style where that the spur is more straight up as opposed to the latter style with the low arched hammer spur.
I just want you all to know that I sure appreciated your input. Thank-you all very much, and have a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!
 
RWMC said:
Well, I made the swap tonight and took home the .45 T/C Hawken.
It is a kit rifle. It does not have the black powder instruction/warning label on the side of the barrel. Also, it has the small clean-out screw through the bolster. Whoever assembled it, chose to brown the barrel and did a nice job. The hammer is also the old-style where that the spur is more straight up as opposed to the latter style with the low arched hammer spur.
I just want you all to know that I sure appreciated your input. Thank-you all very much, and have a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!
Click to expand...
The only issue I have seen with the kit guns is the rounding of the edges on the lock panels and the point of the comb. That can be fixed by an application of grit and elbow grit… I’m with you on the hammer style. The new scope friendlier one is butt ugly!! Congratulations, you’ve got a fine little rifle there. And… of course, pictures or it didn’t happen… :what:
 
Plus, it doesn't have that abominable "QLA" quick load accurizer that is simply a counter bored muzzle that will allow blowby, tipping and whatever else I wouldn't want. Try .445 round ball, Indian Head linen and about 60 grains of ffg real black for target, up to 90-100 for bambi. 220 maxi amend 70-80 is deadly. Round ball and 45 grains for small game.
 
PapaG said:
Plus, it doesn't have that abominable "QLA" quick load accurizer that is simply a counter bored muzzle that will allow blowby, tipping and whatever else I wouldn't want. Try .445 round ball, Indian Head linen and about 60 grains of ffg real black for target, up to 90-100 for bambi. 220 maxi amend 70-80 is deadly. Round ball and 45 grains for small game.
Click to expand...
What is Indianhead linen? I have always used the blue and white pillow ticking.
When shooting patched round-ball, is it necessary to still use pure lead? Just asking because I don’t know. Thanks!
 
RWMC said:
What is Indianhead linen? I have always used the blue and white pillow ticking.
When shooting patched round-ball, is it necessary to still use pure lead? Just asking because I don’t know. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Indian head , if still available, was .008" 100% cotton linen. Pure lead only for muzzle loaders.
 
RWMC said:
What is Indianhead linen? I have always used the blue and white pillow ticking.
When shooting patched round-ball, is it necessary to still use pure lead? Just asking because I don’t know. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Indian Head isn't made anymore. You can use harder balls but they wont shrink as much when they cool. You will have to use very thin patches or use smaller balls.
 
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