Hookset

heading to iowa next week and will hunt with my 54 cal. hawkens with iron sights to fill a holiday season doe tag.

went to the range sunday to shoot my most consistent load. looking thru my notes and old targets (i keep them for some reason) and i noticed i have never shot 85 grains of powder. so i decided to try this load.
at 50 yards my first 2 shots touched holes 2.5" high, dead center with the 3rd 1.5" to the right. i'm used to volleyball groups, not baseball groups. second round did about the same.
move over to 100yrds. 1st shot 1/2"high, 1" left. 2nd shot 2" right, 1/2" high. 3rd shot 1/2" left, 3" low (3rd shot had a hang fire).

still don't understand how i get less drop with 85 grains of powder than i do with 90, 95, 100 grains at 100 yards. but, the proof is on the paper.

can't believe i have never tried 85 grains of powder out of this gun.

hookset

cayugad

I would say those Iowa deer might be in trouble if they happen across a hunter toting an old .54 caliber Hawkins and they are not over 100 yards away. Sounds like you found the sweet load for sure. My one .54 caliber Renegade shoots best with 85 grains of Goex yet my oldest .54 caliber Renegade likes 100 grains of Goex 2f. I guess each rifle is a mystery to themselves. Good luck with the Iowa doe. We will be looking for pictures of her with a big Hawkin hole through her...