I just can't figure these projectiles out. One T/C hawken hates 350gr, and loves 320gr maxiballs, another T/C cougar loves 350gr hunters and ok on the 320gr maxiballs. Both 1 in 28 twist. Both with goex 90gr
When I say love, I am getting 2" groups open sighted at 50 yards. I know thats nothing for some of you guys with blade sights, but for my eyesight, its awesome. When I say hate, I mean 5" groups open sighted at 50 yards.
Both rifles feel the same on pushing the conical down.
2" groups with open sights at 50 yards is a keeper to me any day of the week. I can not think of one of my rifles that ever shot maxihunters very well. Although I admit I never tried them in the faster twist rifles. When I ran out of the maxihunters, I never bought more...
Good shooting.
__________________
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
Is it possible the Hawkens has deeper cut rifling and the Cougar has the modern, shallow button grooves??
Oops... I just noticed your mention of 1-28" twists in both. Since the Hawkens barrel must be an aftermarket barrel (Green Mountain?).... those being deeper cut rifling, is the Cougar barrel a factory-made fast twist? That would explain the shallow button grooves.
Another thing I just remembered! T/C outsourced some of their barrel production to a couple of different makers. That also could explain the difference.
__________________ Make Smoke - Not War with those using a different style muzzleloader than you.
I shot my first big game animal with a muzzle loader using the 350 Maxi Hunter. I5X5 mule deer buck shot in the ribs at only 25 yard**** the groundlike a big bag of potatoes. I was using a Knight Disc rifle and a felt Wonderwad between the powder and bullet. Although the Maxi Hunter would never, at least for me, win any accuracy matches; it seems to shoot better with the Wonderwad and provides "good 'nuff" groups for hunting - 3" to 4" at 100 yards. I also doesn't like to be pushed too hard. Magnum loads have, for me,been particularly poor shooters in every instance with the Maxi Hunter.
__________________
A man has got to know his limitations . . . . .
Is it possible the Hawkens has deeper cut rifling and the Cougar has the modern, shallow button grooves??
Oops... I just noticed your mention of 1-28" twists in both. Since the Hawkens barrel must be an aftermarket barrel (Green Mountain?).... those being deeper cut rifling, is the Cougar barrel a factory-made fast twist? That would explain the shallow button grooves.
Another thing I just remembered! T/C outsourced some of their barrel production to a couple of different makers. That also could explain the difference.
Nope, I screwed up, my hawkins have 1 in 48. Thinkin of my knights.
2" groups with open sights at 50 yards is a keeper to me any day of the week. I can not think of one of my rifles that ever shot maxihunters very well. Although I admit I never tried them in the faster twist rifles. When I ran out of the maxihunters, I never bought more...
Good shooting.
Cayugad, first time I shot these guns that good. I finally got myself some wrap around prescription shooting glass's, and works wonders for me open sighted. I havent' shot good open sighted for 20 years. Maybe it was a fluke. Cause last time I fired my cougar with maxihunters, it shot 6". But no scrip glass's. Also was using pyrodex. Went back to goex.
Cay, what you talking about. You have shown groups on here that are one hole. I would to once see that open sighted. I admit, you know smokepole.
Muzzleloaders from week-to-week are sometimes a great mystery. I normally shoot 3" groups with my 58-cal Renegade with GM slow twist barrel.
Today, I couldn't do 7" groups. Even after firing what I thought were my most steady-handed shots & there were several of those today, some of them were worse than when I thought I either pulled it or shook a little. I'm going to blame old hand cleaner patch lube for my misfortunes today. That's the first time I let those patches get six months old & dry.
My Omega did wonderful today at 150 yards with my new 435 gr Buffalo SSBs. I only needed six shots with her - then put her away - back in the gun case.
Next time out, just the reverse may happen with you - using the same exact load.
Keep Your Powder Dry Folks
. . . . . . . Joe [/i]
__________________ Make Smoke - Not War with those using a different style muzzleloader than you.
Well, may have found the problem. On one at least. I got the water as hot as possible, almsot boiling, and took a tube and put about 1" down the barrel, and let it run. I all this burnt borebutter (dark yellow) coming out. Took an hour to remove that and the lead. They guy I bought it off of, was a big believer in barrel seasoningand borebutter, I am not. I wonder if it will shoot the same.
1 in 48" and maxihunters
