Well I finally hada chance to shoot the 50 cal Silver Hawken I got about a month or so ago. After having some firing issues with the nipple and replacing it, I started shooting 250 gr REAL bullets and PRB along with different powders (Pyro P & RS and Goex FFg and FFFg).
Turns out the rifle likes 80 gr of Pyro P with a .490 ball and .015" patches (1:48 twist). At 50 yds it was shooting cloverleafs. The REALs were all over the place.
After sighting in, I shot 6 PRBs offhand at a 6" bull at 50 yds. The rifle balanced pretty good and I managed to keep all 6 easily within the 6" (probably within 4"). Easy minute of deer.

Six off-hand shots into 4" at 50 yards is excellent Bronko. I can do that only on my very best day. Looks like you got yourself a shooter. Did you try a variety of powder charges under the REALs?

We don't like to talk about off hand shooting at my place. [&o]


That is some real good shooting. Sounds like a lot of fun too. Those REALs are funny. Next time out with them, drop the powder charge down to 50 grains and then report what happens.

Nice shooting sounds like you got a winner.

I just might do that Dave. Its funny. My old Hawken 1:48 loved the 250 gr REALs. This one shot 3 into about an 8" group at 50 yds. Heck, I could probably have thrown them more accurately than that. It seemed as though they were too loose. After the first 7 or 8 inches, after the rifling was cut into the bands, they seems to fall in. I was seriously thinking about putting a patch on them to see how they shot.
Next time out I want to try the 320 gr REALs I have casted for my Lyman and also some 275 gr Maxihunters which always seem to shoot good for me in several rifles.

bronko22000
If you decide to us a patch then I suggest a cross shaped linen paper patch like we use in some of the bench matches. It has worked for me. Lee