HuntingNet.com Forums

Danny -- I own a Tradition's .50 caliber Hawkins Woodsman. It has a 1-66 twist, but perhaps I can offer some suggestions on the load. I shoot Pyrodex RS and use .015 patch material lubed with Crisco shortening. I also shoot a .490 ball made by Hornady. I found that with this rifle, a short load is much more accurate. Everytime I tried to get the charge up over 85 grains, it would start to "really" spread the ball hits all over the place. I would suggest starting out with 65 grains of RS and swab between shots. My sweet load is 72 grains of RS, topped with .015 100% cotton pillow tick. The group I can shoot and maintain at 50 yards and under with this load would really surprise many people. If your shots are only around 50 yards (mine are also, with that being the max shot I would have to take) 65 to 80 grains is more then enough to take a whitetail off his feet right now. Hope this helps, and good hunting.....