Range Session, TC Hawken .45

[BrushPopper]

Picked up this one a couple of weeks back at a local gunshop for $165.
Was used, but appeared to have been fired very little.

All of my BP guns are .45s, and I'd been hankering for one of these in the same caliber for years.


I'd read thatthis rifle had a twist that matched-up well with the TC-designed 'Maxi's' that I was already casting.

I found that 50 gns of FFF grade Triple 7 under this slug put out some pretty good energy...


I remembered an empty Coleman fuel can out in the barn, so I filled it with well-water, capped it and cracked a shot off into it at 20 yds.

Here's the exit side...


And lastly, here's the final group of the day: 5 shots at 60 yds with no swabbing during the string...


With these old eyes and open sights, I'm pretty well satisfied. Should be good enough to put some venison in the freezer come fall.

These slugs drop from the mould at 242 gns and I've used them to good effect on hogs and deer out of my Kentucky rifle in the past.

I'll post back again on it if I have some luck this deer season!

HH All!
BP

[Grouse45]

I guess you like 45's.Nice Muzzleloader and shooting.

[bronko22000]

Hey Brushpopper - You got a great deal on that rifle. And it looks like it shoots well for you. And IMO a 45 is a good whitetail/hog caliber. And if you really want a tack driver, you can get a 45 cal Green Mtn barrel for it for $95 that will shoot saboted bullets extremely well.
Good luck with it.

[dphobby]

That is some good shooting there brushpopper, good velocity with only 50 gr. of powder, WOW !!!!!

and a super deal on a good rifle, Congrats !!!!!

[Semisane]

Good post there BrushPopper. It's got everything I like - a picture of the gun (nice), target pictures (good shooting) and load data. Keep them coming.

I too was surprised at the velocity you're getting with 50 grains. That load will certainly do the job on whitetails as far out as you can hit them with iron sights.

[Old/New]

Good shooting.

Nice piece.

Good info.

Also...you put the forum back on track!

[kb1]

very nice. karl

[hunting junkie]

Great report,great buy, great shooting.

[Mr.Flintlock]

My first black powder deer was in November 1976. I was using an old CVA Kentucky rifle. I was shooting a 45 caliber TC Maxi-Ball over 60 gr of 3f black powder. For the next few years that .45 Maxi never failed me.

[cayugad]

nice shooting.. and that is a cool target. I like that.