Getting a traditional start

[RamDreamer]

So a friend and I are looking for a winter project and we want to build a couple Hawkins .50 cal using one of the kits provided. We plan to customized each of our ML with engraving and woodburning designs. Since we are just getting into it and have been reading a lot our minds are still spinning.
We wouldn't be bringing them to the range till spring time, but getting an idea of what to use as far as for a load would be nice. I would like to try to lengthen my range with the use of a Williams peep sight as well. We want to keep the loads pretty traditional, basically making them Colorado regs legal. Thinking of using BH209, but still unsure on a projectile. Any insight or help from this crew would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to hearing about some successful hunts with the old smoke pole from you all since seasons are opening up daily! Thanks

-Brett

 

[sabotloader]

So a friend and I are looking for a winter project and we want to build a couple Hawkins .50 cal using one of the kits provided. We plan to customized each of our ML with engraving and woodburning designs. Since we are just getting into it and have been reading a lot our minds are still spinning.
We wouldn't be bringing them to the range till spring time, but getting an idea of what to use as far as for a load would be nice. I would like to try to lengthen my range with the use of a Williams peep sight as well. We want to keep the loads pretty traditional, basically making them Colorado regs legal. Thinking of using BH209, but still unsure on a projectile. Any insight or help from this crew would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to hearing about some successful hunts with the old smoke pole from you all since seasons are opening up daily! Thanks

-Brett

Brett great project - but you will not be able to use BH in a Hawken. BH requires to much heat to ignite, so caps will not do it you need to use 209 shotgun primers. Also the back pressure created by BH will blow your hammer back and cause the primer or cap to come flying off the nipple.

What you might use for a projectile will be governed mostly by the rate of twist your rifle bore has. Most Hawkens today come with a 1/48 twist which is to slow for the longer bullets, so you will most likely need to use short bullets as the 1/48 were built as a compromise for shooting round ball and short conicals.

 

[RamDreamer]

Thanks sabotloader! Like I stated we just started looking into everything and are getting excited so that kind of information really helps. I was looking at some Hornady conicals and of course I would like to try some patched round balls. Have you ever used American Pioneer FFg powder? Would I be able to use Pyrodex?

 

[sabotloader]

Thanks sabotloader! Like I stated we just started looking into everything and are getting excited so that kind of information really helps. I was looking at some Hornady conicals and of course I would like to try some patched round balls. Have you ever used American Pioneer FFg powder? Would I be able to use Pyrodex?

Almost any black powder sub or even real BP will work for you. Just not BH - it really is a smokeless progressive burning powder with some black powder ingredients thrown in to classify it as a BP sub.

Personally I would use T7-3f powder in your sidelocks. It a heck of a lot less corrosive than the other powders and only real Swiss BP has the power that T7 can create.

Most major company conicals will work just fine from your Hawkins - even some other regular pistol bullets placed in sabots will work.

 

[stevenm2]

I shoot 385 gr/ Buffalo bullets from my 1/48 twist Hawkin Kit gun. They are much shorter than the No excuses 460 gr. conicals and my home cast 490 gr.
T/C Maxi Balls always have shot well in mine as well. I think they are 360 gr. I have a mold for maxi ball if you are interested. Then it gets really fun and really cheap to shoot them.
I killed a nice antelope with mine a few years back and it was so much fun it prompted me to go in-line. Fun stuff
I have always shot swiss in mine while hunting .

 

[RamDreamer]

I shoot 385 gr/ Buffalo bullets from my 1/48 twist Hawkin Kit gun. They are much shorter than the No excuses 460 gr. conicals and my home cast 490 gr.
T/C Maxi Balls always have shot well in mine as well. I think they are 360 gr. I have a mold for maxi ball if you are interested. Then it gets really fun and really cheap to shoot them.
I killed a nice antelope with mine a few years back and it was so much fun it prompted me to go in-line. Fun stuff
I have always shot swiss in mine while hunting .

How many grains of powder were your loads? I like the looks and reviews on the maxi balls and the benefits of T7 as of right now. I am already wishing I started this project. Any other tools and cleaning supplies other than the traditional stuff you would recommend?

 

[stevenm2]

I flush my sidelock out with hot hot water when I am done and oil it while the metal is still hot. I will not shoot if I don't have time to clean my gun afterwards. when done shooting I spray windex all over the fouled parts and down the barrel. I use the stuff with vinegar but others are liking the ammonia
I use damp patches with windex between shots. You may not need to but I do with my rifle. the windex will soften the fouling I shoot around 90 gr. swiss or Triple 7 with my 385 gr. and Maxi ball. shoot a group and then adjust up and down until you get the group you want.
Good grease for the nipple, good cleaning jag and I use a range rod while not hunting. what kit are you looking at?

 

[RamDreamer]

We have been looking at the Traditions St. Louis Hawken Kit
https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/rifles/traditions-st-louis-hawken-rifle-kit-krc52408.html

If this isn't the best kit out there please let me know or if you know of a better deal I'd greatly appreciate a heads up. I was also hoping to add a Williams peepsight and streamlined ramp with a hood to increase accuracy. I was thinking about replacing the factory nipple with an aftermarket "hot" nipple to increase performance and eliminate the possibility of a hangfire or misfire. Anyone do this to their rig?

 

[stevenm2]

Mine is a Thompson Center. I do not know much about traditions. I have a tang mounted peep on mine.
Loodk up a place called the gun works in Springfield Oregon. Joe and Suzie are great people and will be able to help steer you in the right direction. I know he has some kits (or did have) but I am not sure what brand.
Sounds like a fun project. I promise you will have fun.

 

[RamDreamer]

Thanks stevenm2 I'll look them up and give them a call. Yea the T/C Hawken looks really nice, but I think it's a little out of our price range. We are both in grad school and I just had a kid two weeks ago so money is even tighter for me. It's a dream I would like to make a reality sometime this winter if life makes it possible. Otherwise I'll just have to wait till I graduate.

 

[stevenm2]

Best of luck and Good Hunting

 

[RamDreamer]

Best of luck and Good Hunting

Thanks so much for the help. Good luck to you too!

 

[RamDreamer]

I shoot 385 gr/ Buffalo bullets from my 1/48 twist Hawkin Kit gun. They are much shorter than the No excuses 460 gr. conicals and my home cast 490 gr.
T/C Maxi Balls always have shot well in mine as well. I think they are 360 gr. I have a mold for maxi ball if you are interested. Then it gets really fun and really cheap to shoot them.
I killed a nice antelope with mine a few years back and it was so much fun it prompted me to go in-line. Fun stuff
I have always shot swiss in mine while hunting .

What mold do you have for the maxi ball and did you find them as effective as the T/C maxi balls after you put bore butter on them?

 

[stevenm2]

I think it is the 360gr. bore butter is not the lube I would use. I use bull shop's lube.
I have trouble with bore butter staying put on the bullet. They are as effective. I think they are the the same as the T/C maxi ball.

 

[conhawa]

I hunt with a hawken. I use .490 patched round ball...goex black powder. I have a custom made flintlock too...so I use 3f powder in both....just have to scale back on the amount of powder when using 3f.
I make my own lube using 80% olive oil 20% beeswax....works on leather, chapped lips etc too.

 

[RamDreamer]

Thanks for the info conhawa!