I am trying to figure out if I can shoot powerbelt or sabbot ammo through my Hawkin Traditions 54 caliber woodsman. I am brand new to muzzleloading and went to Gander Mountain twice for advice. The first "expert" told me I could use powerbelt and the second told me I could not. I am confused. I would like to fire it a couple of times this week and then hunt whitetail on Saturday but am having a hard time figuring out my options and finding ammo.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Welcome to the board!!!

It looks like that gun is rifled 1-48 inches so I'd say get some PowerBelts and try them...I'd also try some .530 round balls and greased patches as a ball that size is plenty for deer...

Start with 75grs of real Blackpowder like Goex or Pyrodex R-S if it's a percussion and move up in 5gr increments until you find what it groups best...Anywhere from 75-100grs is plenty for deer...

Will it shoot PowerBelts??? Sure it will, the question is how will they group...

Good luck getting this done by Saturday as usually it takes several range sessions to find the best load...Hopefully one of these will group within 2 inches at 50 yards and you will be able to use her on Saturday...Good Luck...

Your options are The Patched Round Ball and such conicals as the Maxi ball the maxi hunter and Power Belts some 1-48 twists shoot saboted bullets fairly well for that twist I would suggest the shorter bullets such as the 200grain 45 in a 45/54 sabot or the 300 grain 50 caliber in the purple 50 /54 sabot.This worked well for me in a 1-48 twist TC Hawken.
Actually the Patched round ball with about 90 gr RS usually works well though you may have to go up or down a bit for the best results.
Most 54 take a .530 or a .535 ball and a ticking patch lubricated with olive oil or Bore Butter.
Do take time to sight it in I suggest sighting it in at 1to 2 inches high at 50 yds for normal deer hunting unless you will be hunting open spaces then you will need to find just the right combination of things and sight it in much farther out.

yep you can use the powerbelt in a 1:48 twist. 295-348gr is where i'd look. 80-90gr Pyrodex RS as well. Or goex if you can get it.

I have two of the Tradition Woodsman. My 1-48 model is .50 caliber. But it will surprise you how well it shoots 240 grain XTPs in a crushed rib sabot on top of 80 grains of Goex 2f. It also shoots roundball very well. I have never tried powerbelts. It also shoots Buffalo Ball-ets "pretty good" if you can live with a 3 inch group at 50 yards.

Get the orange .54 caliber Thompson Center Mag Express sabot and the 240 grain XTP and amaze yourself.


These were shot at 100 yards with a Traditions 24 inch barrel with a 1:48 inch twist.

By the way, the barrel has a scope on it.

This has been very helpful, I did pick up a pack of 348 grain powerbelts to try prior to this weekend and purchased the pyrodex RS. I do have a pack of 50 cal 50 grain pyrodex pellets as well can I use them?

no, pellets are for inlines. Has to be loose powder so it can flow under the nipple.