I have a 30 year old Hawken replica (Italian?) .45 and long ago lost the data on maximum FFG powder charges. I use alight load (about 50 gr.) for target shooting but want to take it out for deer (with Maxi-balls) and wanted to find out how much Pyrodex I could use. I was guessing about 80 gr or maybe up to 100 gr., but thought I might get a more accurate idea if I posted here.

According to my Hawkins "Traditions" manual which is a Spanish barrel, it show max loads for the .45 caliber as 100 grains of 2f and 95 grains of 3f. It also says your best shots will fall in the 45-70 for the 2f and 40-65 in the 3f.

If you want to shoot a maxi ball I would think that 70 grains should give you good accuracy without being a danger to you. As for the best load you will have to determine that. Good luck.

I have no idea how that barrel compares to a TC 15/16" .45cal barrel, but TC's Max load data for maxi-balls in their .45cal is 80grns FFg, regardless of conical weight.

I just started shooting a 30+ yr old Hawken 45 cal. that my brother built from a kit. After some good advice from people on this board and some time on the range I ended up shooting 90 gr. of triple 7 with a 175 grain powerbelt bullet. The combo works awesome and is dead on at 100 yards. I shot my first deer this past friday with it. It was an awesome experience. I will post pictures when they get developed.

I hope the receipt helps get you going. I took several combos along to the range with me one day and within a couple hours I had this thing shooting like a charm.

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll start with the 80 gr FFG and go +/- a little from there if needed.

UPDATE:
TC's owner's manuallists the 80grn charge for the Seneca and Cherokee;

For the larger strongerHawken barrel, the manual lists 100grns as the max.

I don't know whichsize barrel you have...