New to me Hawken

I use 80 gr. but I'm experimenting wiht lighter loads for target.

80 grains of 2f with a ball is a good mild load. the tc hawken is rated to 120 grains of 2f but probably won't be real accurate with a ball.it's rated to 120 grains of 2f with a maxi ball also.you got a pretty good rifle there,the brass is a pain to keep clean.enjoy it i started with one when i got the bug all those years ago.

The ffg American Pioneer Powder (APP) has a very chunky granulation. It's chunkier than any other ffg powder and probably works better with inlines that use a #209 shotgun primer.
The APP fffg does flow better from a flask & measure better.
I don't want to discourage you from using it but if you could switch it with a container of APP fffg it would probably ignite more reliably.
Using CCI #11 magnum percussion caps may help to ignite it since the flame may need to travel further up the flash channel to reach the chunks to set it off.
Also, keep the container tightly covered because it can easily absorb moisture from humid air and go bad.
I use the APP fffg and haven't had that happen but it has happened to many others.
Because of the chunky granulation it's almost like using 10 grains less of other powders.
But otherwise the APP fffg does work good and produces plenty of power.
If you do experience a misfire, dribbling a few grains of loose powder under the nipple should help to ignite it, but the larger chunks won't fit under the nipple as easily as with smaller granules. If it happens you'll see, and I hope that it doesn't cause any ignition problems with your new TC Hawken. It's hard to predict if it will matter or not.

Load 15% less of 777 because it's more potent.
And it might even be fun to try duplex loads if the APP causes ignition problems by loading a small amount of 777 under the APP.

BTW, starting loads are usually about the same volume in grains as the caliber.
Although because that would usually be considered to be a light target load, most folks just skip up to 60, 70, 80 grains or more.
Many people enjoy shooting heavier loads anyway. But the more powder loaded, the more residue that's produced. And if the residue builds up too much then swabbing may became necessary or loading can become more difficult.
Also, a .015 lubed patch is more commonly used with a .490 ball in the TC's.
It's a little tighter combo. and the thicker patch seals better, is more durable and holds more lube.
Good luck and let us know how the Hawken works out.

My son has a Hawkins .50, and he uses Pryodex FFG, about 75 grs (got a good deal at Walmart on the Pryodex at the end of the hunting season). Very accurate gun, lots of fun to shoot (kicks a little).

I shoot the same rifle with Pryodex R, 80grs, .490rb and a .015 patch.

I use 50gr 3f Goex with a 490 ball for general plinking and target shooting, I use 90 gr with a Maxiball for deer. Don't worry about the brass tarnishing, I let mine go to a nice patina, looks better than the shiny option. Also if your gun has a "K" prefix serial number, you may have difficulty having TC honor the lifetime warranty as kit guns were exempt.

Better watch out

Deer !
Obviously the mushroomed Nipple was a non issue , good .
Try some Holy Black , you'll really be smilin

Jaeger

revolverman357 said:

I have tried to buy some black, but cannot find anyone with it in my locale.

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Deer Creek Products in Waldron, In is a GOEX distributor. Contact them...they should be able to help you out. Their number is 765-525-6181.