Investarms 50cal

[Broadbill]

I have an Investarms 50cal Hawkin with a set trigger that I bought at a garage sale probably 30yrs ago. I'm pretty sure that it originally came from Gander Mountain.Its been hanging over my fireplace ever since. All this Obama stuff has gotten me thinking about becoming more proficient with the firearms I already own. So I think its finally time to learn how to fire it.
I realize that its probably a low priced firearm but it is safe to fire correct?
Its in virtually new shape.
I should be able to go to my local shop and get all the proper components right?
Is there anything special I should do or know other than cleaning it before hand.
I feel pretty confident with my firearm knowledge both rifle and shotgun but I am in the dark as far as Black powder guns go.
Any suggestions would be tremendously helpful.

Thanks,

Broadbill

 

[Voodoochile]

First off, make sure that it's clean & maybe have a gunsmith look at it to be sure it's safe "I'm sure that it'll be safe but it never hurts to have one checked out that hasn't been shot in so long especially a Muzzle Loader, also he can find out the rifling twist for ya.

Real Black Powder is the best in my opinion but if it is hard to come by & it is a cap lock then I would suggest Pyrodex P, start with 50 - 60 grains & work your way up to the best accurate load.

Cleaning is fairly simple, just remove the ram rod, & the wedge/wedges from the keyways to remove the barrel from the stock.
Remove the percussion cone & place breach end into some hot soapy water.
Use a cleaning rod & patch to pump the fluid through the cone area into the bore.
Rinse afterwords.
I personally use a little WD40 to displace the moisture & then dry it out with dry patches.
A light oil in the bore & over the rifle will help preserve it.

a few item to get if you do not have them yet:

Powder flask or Horn.
Adjustable Powder measure like mine that goes from 10 - 120gr.
A Range rod to load & clean your rifle while at the range.
Nipple wrench.
Black Powder or Pyrodex.
#11 Percussion caps.
.015 dry or lubed patches. *
.490 Lead Ball. *
Or Lead conical bullets.
"* means that is dependent on the rifling twist you have."
Other items will come & others will ring in on stuff that I may have forgotten.

 

[MuleBrain]

Broadbill,

I am new here, but can help you!!

That is a very well made gun, and the Lyman guns are made by the same company! So this instruction booklet will work for you.

http://stevespages.com/pdf/lyman_blackpowder.pdf

 

[Broadbill]

Thank you so much. I didn't realize how little I really knew. I didn't even know that those were wedges to release the barrel. Looks like I better learn how to clean and dis/reassemble before I go to the range with an armful of stuff. Let me read the Lyman manual and learn the rifle and I'll get back to you.
Probably not till after duck season.

Thanks,

Broadbill

 

[DonP]

Very likely it's the same gun that Lyman calls their Trade Rifle and Cabela's sells as their Hawken. Both made by InvestArms in Italy too.

The Hawken I bought has a 1 in 48 twist, so shooting a patched ball or maxi (Minie) balls are both OK. Maybe not so good with Sabots or PowrBelts.

But have a gunsmith "slug it" for you and you'll know exactly what your twist is.

Have fun!

 

[Broadbill]

I just want to fire it a few times. Round balls will be fine. Unless of course I get hooked. I looked around a little today and out of three shops only one had Pyrodex.
I know there are different propellants but Pyrodex is the right thing to be shooting isn't it?

Broadbill

 

[Voodoochile]

Pyrodex will be fine for that rifle, Pyrodex P will be a little easier to fire than Pyrodex RS because of the slightly smaller granules, just make your max charge to be 90gr. Pyrodex P & you'll be fine.

You may find that around 70gr. will be a very good shooting load.

 

[BHP FAN]

I'd get Triple Seven over Pyrodex if they have it. #11 caps,2f powder,60 gr. .490 round ball,old bedsheet matr'l for patches.I inherited my ol' Dad's .50 Hawken,and it shoots fine with the above load.Pyrodex will work,it just smells like burnt plastic when it goes off,and is somewhat less powerfull than the Triple Seven is.I use 2f Goex real black powder when I can,but the Triple Seven is an acceptable substitute.