Max. Load?
 

While browsing the net, I found something that I find odd and am wondering if anyone has any idea's on this.

I just bought a Cabela's "sporterized" hawkens and it shows a Max. RB load of 100gr. of 2f(.54)

I went to the Lyman site and they rate all their 54's to 120 gr. of 2F. If they are indeed both made by Investarms, then why the rating difference.

Any thoughts??? Thanks

I'm getting farther into his blackpowder thing than I thought I would. While at the range the other day, I was talking to a fellow about finding a gun for my 9 year old to shoot. The fellow ups and gives me a .50 CVA St. Louis Hawkens!!! Said he got it for nothing in a trade and was wasting away in his closet, felt my boy would get more use out of it than he would. The boy was grinning like a possum in a presimmon tree when I told him it was HIS gun, of course Dad will have to do a little playing with it himself,hehe.

RE: Max. Load?
 

I'm not familiar with that particular gun, but my very first thought is to follow the mfgr. recommendations - at least until you can find out a whole lot more about it (and I suspect you'll find it here).
That's great what that fellow did for your son - and for all of us. There's nothing like that attitude of helping someone else (especially a youngster) to get involved in the shooting sports to make a lifelong impression. That kind of stuff is contagious, too.
Have fun, and feel free to ask lots of questions.

IM jaybe :)

RE: Max. Load?
 

center12

The simple answer is liability. It is better to be safe than liable

If you check the hodgdon site theysay flat out 100 grain loads are max. anything above that they have no liability.

RE: Max. Load?
 

I think Sabotloader hit the answer right on the head. A lot of the companies are doing this for liability reasons. If they limit the powder charge and projectile weight to safe levels, should an accident occur, they have something to fall back on. This is the results of the new life style we see and read about in the papers of find something to file a law suit about.

With my Lyman Trade Rifle, I got a manual from Lymans and one from Investarms. Same rifle, same gun maker, totally differentpowderlevels. Personally I think you will find that around 90-100 grains of Goex 2f or Pyrodex RS will be you best load. At least in my rifle that is where it fell right into place. 90 grains. I would not be afraid to push the rifle to 120 grains of RS or 2f but see no need to.

RE: Max. Load?
 

Makes since to me, thanks for the info.

Went out and shoot that 50 today, nice little gun. Didn't do any paper shooting, just making sure everything was on the up and up for the boy. The gun is really sort of pretty, it looks like it has a Spaulded(?) Maple stock. Used 30gr. of 2f Goex and a PRB, lots of fun. The squirrel were in hiding,hehe.

RE: Max. Load?
 

I was shooting my .62 caliber smoothbore today with a 324 grain roundball on top of 80 grains of Goex 2f. I had a pine squirrel make the mistake of coming out into the woods also. Well I hit him dead center with a free standing shot at about 20 yards. Needless to say there was not much for the dog to pick up.

RE: Max. Load?
 

Probably didn't even have stew makins left, what a pity:D. Heard they make smaller calibers for such things,snicker!!

RE: Max. Load?
 

Cayugad, was that the manufacturers recommended load for Pine Squirrel? Just curious...LOL

RE: Max. Load?
 

Some of them squirrelis plain mad-dog killers though, use enough gun! ;)

Any of you guys seen the type offox squirrelthey've got down in SC? I don't think they are particularly dangerous but they've got a real sense of humor about scarin' ell out of ya.

RE: Max. Load?
 

Next time I will get the .75 caliber Brown Bess out .. this one was tuff he only exploded into two pieces. I would have expected at least three. And Underclocked these squirrelsmust be related to your breed of squirrels. I have had them suddenly appear in a tree stand and about make you mess your pants.

In fact I told a guy hunting my land last year to be sure and wear his safety harness. He told me he was not worried about falling and I told him the harness was to catch him when the pine squirrels scared he bad enough to make him jump out of the tree. When they suddenly scurry around the tree right behind you, I have to admit, it spooks me too...

RE: Max. Load?
 

Been reading your posts Cay and the others as me and my bunch are new to the BP arena. Actually, was just an excuse to buy more guns! I would like to thank all you guys for sharing your knowledge. It is appreciated as we don't have time to make all the mistakes ourselves.

As for squirrels.............
here in Texas everyone knows that when it comes to those hairy devils................yup...........it's kill or be killed!!! :)

Look forward to more of you guys posts!

RE: Max. Load?
 

Their watching:eek:

RE: Max. Load?
 

I recently picked up an unfired sporterized Cabelas carbine in .50 cal.on an auction site. With its 1-in-24 twist it's a conical/sabot shooter which, according to the Investarms manual, is limited to 80 grs. of 2f/Pyro-RS or 60 gr. of 3f/Pyro-P. Like you, center12,I'm surprised how conservative these ratings are. I've only taken it shooting once and am still abiding by the manual's limitations, but don't know how long that'll last. That short barrel needs powder to make velocity.

That said, I'm amazed how accurate the little gun is. My eyes aren't good and I was firing offhand, but all the sabot combinations I tried went right where I aimed. The only fliers occurred when I shot with a wet bore. This surprised me because my T/C's are much more finicky about shooting sabots. Fliers with sabotsare more common with my Black Mountain Magnum, Black Diamond and System 1.

I hope to try it from the bench soon. It might put some more expensive guns to shame.

It doesn't hurt that it's a solid, well put together little gun that's very comfortable to shoot and carry. I have a Lyman/Investarms GPR whose fit and finish doesn't come close to the Cabelas carbine. I likethe little gunalot more than I thought I would.

BTW, the Lyman manual that came with my GPR had the same maximum load limits as the Investarms manual. These loads were recommended for the Trade Rifle and the Deerstalker as well as the GPR. Maybe Lyman has recently upped their max. load numbers.
Bob