ORIGINAL: RandallT
Roundball-thanks for the info. I am going to call my brother right now and get ahold of his hawken. It will be fun to play with again and get some experience with the new powders. I have a dumb begginners question. What do you mean by pump flush? I am guessing you have water in the barrell and push the patch down, but am not sure.
Also do you have any suggestions on where to start as far as loads/bullets? Again this gun is a .45. Sounds like you really like the Goex. I have no experience with this or 777. Shot a little pyrodex way back when, but it sounds like some of these newer powders are better. I also have only shot round balls (we used to make our own), but would like to try some of the others.
Thanks again for the help.
Right, "PUMP-FLUSH" is simply a term referring to the piston effect you get when you have the breech end in a bucket of water, and run a cleaning jag/patch up and down.
The upstroke sucks hot soapy water in through the nipple or vent, then expels it back out on the down stroke...do this a couple dozen times until the water you pull up out of the muzzle starts looking pretty clean, then I remove the nipple or vent and do a few more pump flushes to ensure the nipple or vent seats are clean;
Then use a good bronze bore brush for a couple dozen full length strokes, followed by cleaning patches again.
================================================== ====
Note: call TC and ask for a copy of their muzzleloader manual, they'll send you one for free...has load data charts in the back for different calibers and projectiles.
Actually Goex is not new...it's a real blackpowder and probably the most popular;
Pyrodex worked very well for me in TC Hawken percussions, Goex works better;
For target shooting/plinking with my .45 TC Hawkens I use:
50grns Goex FFFg (or 50-60grns Pyrodex-RS)
.018" TC prelubed pillow ticking patch (or .015" Oxyoke)
Hornady or Speer .440 balls
For hunting with round balls, I use 90grns Goex FFFg + an Oxyoke wonderwad
For hunting with TC 255grn Maxi-Hunters - 90grns Goex FFg (2F) + Oxyoke wonderwad