Optimal load in a kit Hawken .50 cal.
02-01-2008 | 06:41 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 0
From: Farmington, Mo.
Optimal load in a kit Hawken .50 cal.
What are some of your opinions on the optimal load?Round or conical bullets?Or should I just trial and error it?Any opinions or suggestions would be appreciated.
02-01-2008 | 07:36 AM
#3
Boone & Crockett
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 12,823
Likes: 5
From: Eastern PA
RE: Optimal load in a kit Hawken .50 cal.
I'm assuming its a 50 cal? I'd try both the patch & ball and the 275 gr maxihunters. Start with 80 gr FFg up to 100 gr. I've had good luck with both depending on the rilfe. I never had any luck in accuracy with the maxiballs.
02-01-2008 | 08:14 AM
#5
Dominant Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,193
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
RE: Optimal load in a kit Hawken .50 cal.
Being a "kit" really has little to do with what the rifle will like. Most of the barrels between the kits and the factory assembled rifles are the same. As nchawkeye said, the rate of twist and depth of rifling is the key factors as to what it will like. I am guessing that it is a 1-48 twist which is a very common twist rate.
That 1-48 is a do it all twist. It will shoot roundball and conicals. Even sabots as some report. Start your testing with about 80 grains of powder. A .490 patched ball and .015 or bigger patch should put you in the ball park. Then start shooting. Most of my T/C rifles are powder hogs. They like a strong load like 90-100, or a very weak load for best accuracy. My Traditions and CVA rifles like a moderate strong load meaning 85 grains is average. My Green Mountain Barrels are powder junkies. They seem to like a max powder load. Some of them I shoot as much as 120 grains of 2f black powder. Even the little carbine likes 90 grains of 3f powder.
Also you have to consider the powder you will be shooting. Remember the conversions of some of the different powder strengths when loading. Not all powders are alike. The Pyrodex and Goex are about even. I find the APP and Pinnacle I can load a little hotter then Pyrodex and still get good accuracy. Triple Se7en is the mystery powder. While you should load less, it just seems to shoot in most rifles, no matter what I load. In my CVA I load 80 grains of T-7 2f and a roundball and the accuracy is outstanding...
So it is a trial and error game here. If you want to shoot conicals, then the maxiball, maxihunters, powerbelts, saber tooth, Bullshop, No Excuses, and REALs are all something to keep in mind. Whether they will shoot well for you, only your rifle knows. It takes a lot of range time to really learn I rifle I found. Take a notebook and take notes of what you're doing. It will save you powder, time, and troubles in the future when you have a reference to look back on.
That 1-48 is a do it all twist. It will shoot roundball and conicals. Even sabots as some report. Start your testing with about 80 grains of powder. A .490 patched ball and .015 or bigger patch should put you in the ball park. Then start shooting. Most of my T/C rifles are powder hogs. They like a strong load like 90-100, or a very weak load for best accuracy. My Traditions and CVA rifles like a moderate strong load meaning 85 grains is average. My Green Mountain Barrels are powder junkies. They seem to like a max powder load. Some of them I shoot as much as 120 grains of 2f black powder. Even the little carbine likes 90 grains of 3f powder.
Also you have to consider the powder you will be shooting. Remember the conversions of some of the different powder strengths when loading. Not all powders are alike. The Pyrodex and Goex are about even. I find the APP and Pinnacle I can load a little hotter then Pyrodex and still get good accuracy. Triple Se7en is the mystery powder. While you should load less, it just seems to shoot in most rifles, no matter what I load. In my CVA I load 80 grains of T-7 2f and a roundball and the accuracy is outstanding...
So it is a trial and error game here. If you want to shoot conicals, then the maxiball, maxihunters, powerbelts, saber tooth, Bullshop, No Excuses, and REALs are all something to keep in mind. Whether they will shoot well for you, only your rifle knows. It takes a lot of range time to really learn I rifle I found. Take a notebook and take notes of what you're doing. It will save you powder, time, and troubles in the future when you have a reference to look back on.
02-01-2008 | 09:47 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 0
From: Farmington, Mo.
RE: Optimal load in a kit Hawken .50 cal.
ORIGINAL: cayugad
Being a "kit" really has little to do with what the rifle will like. Most of the barrels between the kits and the factory assembled rifles are the same. As nchawkeye said, the rate of twist and depth of rifling is the key factors as to what it will like. I am guessing that it is a 1-48 twist which is a very common twist rate.
That 1-48 is a do it all twist. It will shoot roundball and conicals. Even sabots as some report. Start your testing with about 80 grains of powder. A .490 patched ball and .015 or bigger patch should put you in the ball park. Then start shooting. Most of my T/C rifles are powder hogs. They like a strong load like 90-100, or a very weak load for best accuracy. My Traditions and CVA rifles like a moderate strong load meaning 85 grains is average. My Green Mountain Barrels are powder junkies. They seem to like a max powder load. Some of them I shoot as much as 120 grains of 2f black powder. Even the little carbine likes 90 grains of 3f powder.
Also you have to consider the powder you will be shooting. Remember the conversions of some of the different powder strengths when loading. Not all powders are alike. The Pyrodex and Goex are about even. I find the APP and Pinnacle I can load a little hotter then Pyrodex and still get good accuracy. Triple Se7en is the mystery powder. While you should load less, it just seems to shoot in most rifles, no matter what I load. In my CVA I load 80 grains of T-7 2f and a roundball and the accuracy is outstanding...
So it is a trial and error game here. If you want to shoot conicals, then the maxiball, maxihunters, powerbelts, saber tooth, Bullshop, No Excuses, and REALs are all something to keep in mind. Whether they will shoot well for you, only your rifle knows. It takes a lot of range time to really learn I rifle I found. Take a notebook and take notes of what you're doing. It will save you powder, time, and troubles in the future when you have a reference to look back on.
Being a "kit" really has little to do with what the rifle will like. Most of the barrels between the kits and the factory assembled rifles are the same. As nchawkeye said, the rate of twist and depth of rifling is the key factors as to what it will like. I am guessing that it is a 1-48 twist which is a very common twist rate.
That 1-48 is a do it all twist. It will shoot roundball and conicals. Even sabots as some report. Start your testing with about 80 grains of powder. A .490 patched ball and .015 or bigger patch should put you in the ball park. Then start shooting. Most of my T/C rifles are powder hogs. They like a strong load like 90-100, or a very weak load for best accuracy. My Traditions and CVA rifles like a moderate strong load meaning 85 grains is average. My Green Mountain Barrels are powder junkies. They seem to like a max powder load. Some of them I shoot as much as 120 grains of 2f black powder. Even the little carbine likes 90 grains of 3f powder.
Also you have to consider the powder you will be shooting. Remember the conversions of some of the different powder strengths when loading. Not all powders are alike. The Pyrodex and Goex are about even. I find the APP and Pinnacle I can load a little hotter then Pyrodex and still get good accuracy. Triple Se7en is the mystery powder. While you should load less, it just seems to shoot in most rifles, no matter what I load. In my CVA I load 80 grains of T-7 2f and a roundball and the accuracy is outstanding...
So it is a trial and error game here. If you want to shoot conicals, then the maxiball, maxihunters, powerbelts, saber tooth, Bullshop, No Excuses, and REALs are all something to keep in mind. Whether they will shoot well for you, only your rifle knows. It takes a lot of range time to really learn I rifle I found. Take a notebook and take notes of what you're doing. It will save you powder, time, and troubles in the future when you have a reference to look back on.
