Pittsburghunter

If you go to the Thompson Center website and find their phone number you can get a manual for free. I will save you a little trouble now though.

Their phone number is 603-332-2333.

Good luck and don't be afraid to use real black powder us traditional shooters find it to be a bit better in these rifles. It cleans up just as easy as Pyrodex as well.

Pglasgow

Enough has been said about pellets and smokeless.

I have a .50 cal Hawken also. Haven't shot it since I've been playing with a new rifle but it is a very good rifle. I've never had more than 90 2F in mine though I suppose I could. I suggest that you start small. Say 60 to 70 grains and just practice and enjoy it with PRB's, ballets, or pennsyvania conicals. Use 2f Goex, 2f pyro RS, or 2f Triple 7 to start with. Get used to the routine of loading a muzzleloader and have. I can't speak for your or anyone else's hawken,but I have not found a projectile in all lead 385 or below (including PRB) which didn't printacceptably wellbetween 60 and 90 grains BP. Beyond 90, you may have to make some mods. Like using Sabots, or Wads with your all lead projectiles (including PRB's). Though you really do not need to go beyond 90 grains powder.

As hunting season closes in, you will probably want to start beefing up your loads.But you don't have to get crazy about. The PRBhunters will vouch for the PRB's effectiveness to 90+ yardsbut you can also use the Buffalo Maxi-ballets to the same distance effectively using less powder. Below is a chart for 60 grains Pyro P, 270 Buffalo Maxi-ballet which I have chrony'd.

Not alot of powder and still delivering sufficient punch to 100 yards to more than adequately kill deer sized game. A very forgiving load if you make mistakes in the beginning and easy on your should for long days at the range. Enjoy your new muzzleloader, and welcome to the forum.

Happy Hunting, Phil

eldeguello

eldeguello

[blockquote]
[quote:]

ORIGINAL: phall2
The guy at my pro shop said it will work...
this is what I have. Hawken .50 cal. 100 grainsSelect HogdonPyrodex TC Cold swagged pure lead balls. 175 grain.
Will this work? Please tell me because I dont want to get blown up.


I have used the gun with 100 grain of black powder. I would think this is the same? But then again I know nothing about black powder.[/quote]

OK!! Phwewww! You had me worried! I thought you might actually be usingSMOKELESS powder! A very dangerous NO-NO!!

Pyrodex is NOT smokeless! You are OK using 100 grains of it in any well-made .50 ML with a patched round ball. My target load (best accuracy) with a PRB in my .50 Hawken is 90 grains of FFg or Pyrodex RS (same as Select, fotr all practical purposes). For deer hunting with the patched ball, I go up to 120 grains to flatten the trajectory a little........

100 grains is fine! Indeed, it will perform about the same as 100 grains of real black powder.
[/blockquote]

eldeguello

He said Pyrodex Select - the only Select I've yet seen was loose powder. Arethere indeed Select pellets now?