I recently purchased a Cabela's .50 cal. Hawken rifle. I am not new to BP shooting, but I am to BP hunting. My questions are: How much of a load using a rnd. ball and of what type of powder should I use to kill a deer at 150 yds. The rifle is rated a 90gr.of FF or 72 gr. of Pyro. Thanks. C R
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oneshooter
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Get closer!! PRB with 100gr Goex 2fg, 36" Sharon bbl, flint ignition. 5 shot average 1800fps. Have killed Texas Hill Country deer( 100-125lb) at 100yds with this rifle and load. GET CLOSER!!!!
Part of hunting with these rifles is learning yours inside and out. Another important part is learning to get closer and make the shot count. No matter how fast you can reload THERE IS NO SECOND SHOT!
Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
Part of hunting with these rifles is learning yours inside and out. Another important part is learning to get closer and make the shot count. No matter how fast you can reload THERE IS NO SECOND SHOT!
Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
Omnivore
Member
I agree with oneshooter. After firing 100 rounds at the range at 100 yards, I'd say that 150 yards with the Hawken is something of a "hail mary" shot on a deer-- not conducive to a clean kill at all, assuming you can hit it, even. I was shooting with a .50 Lyman Deerstalker, but the barrel length is similar and the twist is identical. 100 yards is a decent limit, for both accuracy and energy.
arcticap
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Some longer length muzzle loader barrels with a slow round ball twist, a.k.a. "long rifles", can produce enough extra velocity to accurately reach out to somewhat longer distances. But taking those shots isn't recommended because making one is considered such a "long shot".
Most folks will keep their shots inside 75 - 100 yards.
Also, your gun should be able to handle the full equivalent powder charge of Pyrodex, with only a 10% volume reduction if using Pyrodex P or FFFg. The manufacturer's recommendation for Pyrodex seems a little low, but use the powder charge that's more accurate.
Most folks will keep their shots inside 75 - 100 yards.
Also, your gun should be able to handle the full equivalent powder charge of Pyrodex, with only a 10% volume reduction if using Pyrodex P or FFFg. The manufacturer's recommendation for Pyrodex seems a little low, but use the powder charge that's more accurate.
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Bad Flynch
Member
Well, 100 yards is a good shot with this rifle, but the ballistics of an RB dictate that energy is shed at a high rate. In addition, accuracy may not be all that great beyond that, either: the previous replies are correct about shorter range.
Start with about 70 grains of FFg and go up to about 90 grains, testing for group size. You can shoot FFFg also and sometimes it works better, sometimes it does not work as well; you will simply need to shoot and see.
The old-timers would start low, say 40 or 50 grains, and work their way up to a point where the rifle would "crack" when shot. They didn't know it, but that was where the ball went supersonic. Powder was at a premium in the old days and they shot no more powder than was barely needed. You can do better by starting a little higher and testing for grouping.
Shoot real black. Pyrodex is more corrosive and you must always measure Pyrodex by volume, not by weight. Black isn't so fussy and will give excellent results: it is accurate, it is easily ignited, and it smells better.
Start with about 70 grains of FFg and go up to about 90 grains, testing for group size. You can shoot FFFg also and sometimes it works better, sometimes it does not work as well; you will simply need to shoot and see.
The old-timers would start low, say 40 or 50 grains, and work their way up to a point where the rifle would "crack" when shot. They didn't know it, but that was where the ball went supersonic. Powder was at a premium in the old days and they shot no more powder than was barely needed. You can do better by starting a little higher and testing for grouping.
Shoot real black. Pyrodex is more corrosive and you must always measure Pyrodex by volume, not by weight. Black isn't so fussy and will give excellent results: it is accurate, it is easily ignited, and it smells better.
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