Today was beautiful outside. T shirt weather. It was in the 60's here and sunny. Although we had a little southern wind, but it felt warm for a change outside. Even sweated a little for a change.

I decided I was not going to let that Lyman Great Plains Hunter get the better of me. I had cleaned the devil out of it the other day. I even JB Bore pasted the barrel. So I decided to break it in. Maybe that was all it needed. And what is better for breaking in a rifle then roundball.



#1 was on a clean barrel. It also showed me I was holding too much of that front sight. So I adjusted and shot 2-6. Other then being to the right, it was a good group with 50 grains of Goex 2f. I then adjusted my POA and shot 7&8 and again, was real happy with that. Adjusting the amount of front sight, I shot 9-11 and was pleased. I know I have to take some front sight off, but I am considering purchasing new sights from Lyman for this rifle. So for now, I am going to break it in and have fun.

I then decided to shoot some 350 grain Keith nose all lead .430 bullets in a green harvester crushed rib sabot. With that crushed rib, they loaded very easy. I might go to a MMP next time. No short starter needed to get them in the bore. I was swabbing between shots.



They are kind of an ugly bullet, but I have no doubts that on top of 90 grains of Graf's (ran out of Goex) black powder.. they would get the job done.



The first group was again, to the right. I adjusted and shot the next three. I was happy with that. These might have some promise to them.

The rifle fired perfect as usual. I have gotten 47 shots off this agate. I did finally have to flip it as the nose was starting to chip deep, so I flipped it to naturally knapp it. I still have another end on this agate. I might have to write Lyman and see about purchasing some of these agate. They work really well.

So the next time out, I expect better then this... time will tell. By the way.. wearing a pocket T shirt only .. that curved butt stock likes to dig into the shoulder a little when shooting 90 grains of powder.

I have that same problem when bench shooting my GPR. For this reason it tends to stay in the safe. A shame they are good shooters otherwise.

Try putting that curved butt on you upper arm, that's where it's made to go...

You'll get it just right. Just remember that this is half the fun of a new gun!

That's true. I hold mine at he top of the bicep just before the armpit.. I shoot a 120 gr and don't feel the recoil.Between the weight of the rifle and the fact that the arm moves backwards with the recoil it isn't that noticeable. It actually helps with shooting form because you are forced to hold your arm more vertical from the body rather than at any sloppy angle. The Pennsylvania rifle I have is curved a whole lot more and if you don't put it on your arm you get bruised really bad.

The Hawken wasn't designed to bench shoot. It's a hunting gun. The curved butt plate is perfect for that purpose.

Well the next time out with it, I will have to give it a real go.

This time out I practiced what nchawkeye suggested as well as others... I placed the curved butt of the rifle between the bicep and the shoulder blade. It felt rather strange having it in that area. And I also noticed it changed the entire way I aimed the rifle.

When I started shoot roundball with 50 grains of Goex 2f I noticed they were hitting higher. Could this be from the different style hold? I also shot some of the 350 grain Keith Nose again. The group was actually pretty good although again... 25 yards. What do you expect. I kicked the powder charge up to 100 grains because I was told these rifles are powder pigs. Maybe I am finally on to something. Those two high and left were me... seeing just how high a front site I needed and how far over. The rifle is starting to tune in a little. Also I am not well over 60 shots off that agate. I am impressed.

Although today I had a few misfires when trying to shoot APP out of it. I blame the powder, not the rifle. With black powder I only had one misfire and after wiping the nose of the flint off clean.. it fired perfect.

Not bad. Now put some glasses on and move that target back to 50 then 75 yards.

That looks pretty darn good to me. I would say you are just about there.