I use a Thompson and have my loads down but a friend of mine is ready to start shooting his black powder rifle, only one problem no owners manual and we can not locate the manufacturer. Only markings on the gun are Springfield Hawken .50 1 -66. Anybody know where we might find an owners manual or maybe have some suggested loads and and projectiles.

Alan Jones

Since you have no idea who made the rifle, then keep the loads simple. 1-66 twist is a roundball shooter. So have your friend start with 70 grains of FFg and a .015 patch with a .490 roundball. Then have them shoot groups and see how tight a pattern they can make. The rifle should be safe up to 100 grains of FFg powder.

Look over the rifle close and see if there is any manufacture marks. Then you can contact that maker and ask them for a manual. In the mean time keep the loads 100 grains or smaller.

That rifle was manufactured by Traditions. It is still in production today with a slighly different name (Woodsman). Need a manual? Email request to....
[email protected]

Thanks for the info, this should get us started down the right road.

I have a .50 caliber Tradition's Woodsman with 1-66 twist. A great shooting rifle. My rifles load is 70 grains of FFFg and a patched round ball. This thing will hold excellent groups with open sights all the way out to 100 yards. It will also stop a deer right now....