Finally dialed in my Traditions Hawken

[madsend81]

For the past two years, I've had a Traditions Hawken .50 percussion rifle that I got as a factory second. Family, work and other obligations (plus all the areas where I can shoot it in Southern CA take a concerted effort to get to) have kept me from being able to shoot it frequently enough to really figure out the right powder/patch/ball combo for the rifle to shoot accurately. I get about 2-3 range trips/year right now. Not nearly as many as I'd like. Once my 2 boys get older, hopefully I'll be able to take them along and get more range trips in.

My last range trip I think I finally got it dialed in. At 25yd, standing, I managed to shoot a .3/4" 3-shot group! 60gn of bp, .490 ball, .010 lubed patch. What was even better was that my buddy couldn't match that grouping with the AR or AK that he brought!

 

[BowerR64]

post is no good with out pictures.

 

[madsend81]

Yes, I know. I'll post the target when I get home from work.

 

[Crawdad1]

Off hand at 25 yards and a group under an inch, good shooting. Are you satisfied with that, I would be, or are you going to tweak the load a bit more?

 

[madsend81]

Next time I go out I'll try and move the goal post out farther to 50yd and see if I can duplicate it, probably bench rest as opposed to off-hand, that or try and start my NRA Muzzleloading Rifle Qualifications.

I have an inline that I need to get dialed in as well. I'm trying conicals in it but right now the spread is about 6" at 25yd Still need to work on that one. I was only using 60 grn charges so next time I go out I'll try larger loads and see if that helps.

 

[J-Bar]

You are smart to start low and work up rather than trying to shoot maximum loads. Congratulations on the good range trip. I predict you will settle for a powder charge around 75 grains. Keep us posted!

 

[madsend81]

Here is my target at 25 yd offhand. The one to the upper right, I flinched as I squeezed the trigger for some reason, so I discounted it in my grouping in determining the right setup for the rifle.



I might try some larger loads just to see what the effect on its performance is, but I don't want to be in a situation where I'm just wasting powder. Also, no reason to increase the recoil if it's not needed.

 

[madsend81]

J-Bar said: You are smart to start low and work up rather than trying to shoot maximum loads. Congratulations on the good range trip. I predict you will settle for a powder charge around 75 grains. Keep us posted!

Unfortunately, it will most likely be Christmas before I have another chance to take it out again!

 

[Patocazador]

With the lead ban looming, what are you going to use for projectiles in that commie state?

 

[madsend81]

Well, the lead ban only applies while actively taking game, and it won't be fully implemented until 2019 so we are still ok as far as punching holes in paper for now. I guess if I ever get an opportunity to go deer hunting after 2019, it will have to be out of state, or I'll have to get my inline dialed in and use some expensive copper bullets.

 

[Lawdawg45]

I have the .54 caliber version, and I'm looking for a good powder load for hunting. I have 450 grain conical s.

LD

 

[frontiergander]

great shooting! Now get out to 50 yards!