MCgunner
Member
I bought a Cabela's "Hawkin Hunter Carbine" 10 or 15 years ago. I've not really used it much, but when I got it, I played around with bullet types, loading Pyrodex for rifles, 120 grains by volume, behind either a 385 grain Hornady conical or a 240gr Hornady sabot .44 bullet for best results. The thing has a 1:25 twist. I found that after three rounds, which seemed very accurate, the thing would go to squat for accuracy. Then, I would fire three rounds, scrub the bore best I could in the field with soapy water, dry it out, reload it, fire three more. Seemed like the bore was gumming up with powder residue. Is this a problem with such rapid rifling twists? I guess it's the first shot that counts. It's a very handy little smoke pole for hunting.
I just ask cause I've been shooting cap and ball for a long time and have never had this sort of accuracy degradation. I can shoot that Ruger Old Army until the cylinder begins to gum up and it still is a tack driver.
I had a problem with that carbine, too, with ignition. It took number 11 percussion caps. I bought a little gadget that screws into the nipple hole, holds a small rifle magnum primer. I've not had an ignition problem since. I think a little wax over this deal and it'd be pretty rain resistant, too.
I just ask cause I've been shooting cap and ball for a long time and have never had this sort of accuracy degradation. I can shoot that Ruger Old Army until the cylinder begins to gum up and it still is a tack driver.
I had a problem with that carbine, too, with ignition. It took number 11 percussion caps. I bought a little gadget that screws into the nipple hole, holds a small rifle magnum primer. I've not had an ignition problem since. I think a little wax over this deal and it'd be pretty rain resistant, too.