Finally shot the Silver

[bronko22000]

Well I finally hada chance to shoot the 50 cal Silver Hawken I got about a month or so ago. After having some firing issues with the nipple and replacing it, I started shooting 250 gr REAL bullets and PRB along with different powders (Pyro P & RS and Goex FFg and FFFg).
Turns out the rifle likes 80 gr of Pyro P with a .490 ball and .015" patches (1:48 twist). At 50 yds it was shooting cloverleafs. The REALs were all over the place.
After sighting in, I shot 6 PRBs offhand at a 6" bull at 50 yds. The rifle balanced pretty good and I managed to keep all 6 easily within the 6" (probably within 4"). Easy minute of deer.

[Semisane]

Six off-hand shots into 4" at 50 yards is excellent Bronko. I can do that only on my very best day. Looks like you got yourself a shooter. Did you try a variety of powder charges under the REALs?

[cayugad]

We don't like to talk about off hand shooting at my place. [&o]


That is some real good shooting. Sounds like a lot of fun too. Those REALs are funny. Next time out with them, drop the powder charge down to 50 grains and then report what happens.

[hunting junkie]

Nice shooting sounds like you got a winner.

[bronko22000]

I just might do that Dave. Its funny. My old Hawken 1:48 loved the 250 gr REALs. This one shot 3 into about an 8" group at 50 yds. Heck, I could probably have thrown them more accurately than that. It seemed as though they were too loose. After the first 7 or 8 inches, after the rifling was cut into the bands, they seems to fall in. I was seriously thinking about putting a patch on them to see how they shot.
Next time out I want to try the 320 gr REALs I have casted for my Lyman and also some 275 gr Maxihunters which always seem to shoot good for me in several rifles.

[lemoyne]

bronko22000
If you decide to us a patch then I suggest a cross shaped linen paper patch like we use in some of the bench matches. It has worked for me. Lee