A&H loads?

[steelerzzz]

I just bought a Austin & Halleck mountain rifle in 50 cal flint(1 inn 66)and was wondering if anybody has any favorite loads for these rifles? (round ball size,patch size,2f or 3f, etc) Thanks

[cayugad]

A .50 caliber will normally take a .490 or .495 ball. I always start them with a .490 and then work the patch. Get some .015-.018 patch. Actually, cotton pillow tick fabric works great. I buy it by the yard at wal mart. Then it is a matter of trying powder loads. With the slow twist barrels you will find them more willing to take about any kind of load you want to shoot. You could load 50 grain for target, small game, and plinking and probably get close to 100 grain for deer and larger game. It is all a matter of experiment with charges, lubes, etc until you find just what your rifle likes.

I would get some Black powder since it is a flintlock. In 2f or 3f if you can find it. If 3f, you can prime the pan with that as well. Some pillow tick fabric, some bore butter, although there is an interesting study done on lubes and the effect of them on group size. The one that shot the tightest group might surprise you. If I can find that link and post it, I will. And some .490 ball.

If you shoot 3f, cut your charge 10%. So start your shooting at 60 grains and work up from there. I will guess the rifle will tune in around 90 as most of my slow twist do. Although my .58 caliber 1-70 twistlikes 110 grains of 2f and then it really snorts. Then the range time and fun begins. Those are beautiful rifles. When A&H was going out of business, I was sure tempted to purchase one of them... Good luck with your rifle.

[steelerzzz]

ORIGINAL: cayugad

A .50 caliber will normally take a .490 or .495 ball. I always start them with a .490 and then work the patch. Get some .015-.018 patch. Actually, cotton pillow tick fabric works great. I buy it by the yard at wal mart. Then it is a matter of trying powder loads. With the slow twist barrels you will find them more willing to take about any kind of load you want to shoot. You could load 50 grain for target, small game, and plinking and probably get close to 100 grain for deer and larger game. It is all a matter of experiment with charges, lubes, etc until you find just what your rifle likes.

I would get some Black powder since it is a flintlock. In 2f or 3f if you can find it. If 3f, you can prime the pan with that as well. Some pillow tick fabric, some bore butter, although there is an interesting study done on lubes and the effect of them on group size. The one that shot the tightest group might surprise you. If I can find that link and post it, I will. And some .490 ball.

If you shoot 3f, cut your charge 10%. So start your shooting at 60 grains and work up from there. I will guess the rifle will tune in around 90 as most of my slow twist do. Although my .58 caliber 1-70 twistlikes 110 grains of 2f and then it really snorts. Then the range time and fun begins. Those are beautiful rifles. When A&H was going out of business, I was sure tempted to purchase one of them... Good luck with your rifle.

Thanks....very helpful!