BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

he4givs · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 5

Hello Fellow BlackPowder Smokers..... I'm hoping that you can help me get up a load for my Hawkins cap ignition 54 cal.... or my cap 50 cal CV that will shoot out there with power and accuracy. I know things have changed since I last shot these guns back in the early 90's when I hunted and Co-Produced Quest Videos with Dave Erhig from Pa. Now I live in SC and there are plenty of muzzleloading areas open to good hunting and I thought I'd take a break from my bow and arrow and try some of these areas in their youth hunts. It's been so long since I shot them.... I've even forgot the load I used. I need to start all over and see what is best to shoot today. So much has changed. I thought about selling them and buying an inliner..... for some of that long range accuracy....... but thought I should reach out for help first to see what I can do with what I have...... any help will be appreciated.... thanks..... Jesus Bless you.....Dan Brothers dbrot7@cs.com

Fisher King · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 317 Location: Muskoka Ontario

If you are useing patched round ball I would not shoot it over 100 yards ethicaly. If you are using conicals like lee real bullet that could be diffrent.
Like reloading every gun is diffrent and likes a diffrent load.
I found with my TC Hawkens .50 1/48 twist it likes 77 grns of 2F BP.
Now with My Lyman Great Plains Rifflel In .54 1/60 It will group best with anything above 75 grns of 2F all the way up to 110grns of BP.
Rule of thumb is start out with 2F with the bore size .50 start with 50grns of 2F and work up in 5grn increments, .54 start at 55 grns of 2F, ect
1/28 twist is for saboted bullets 1/48 for Prb or conicals. 1/60 and up is strictly for PRB.
Hope this helps.
Regardes and good hunting F.K.

he4givs · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 5

so your saying I can't use sabot bullets......?

Critter · Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 184 Location: Western Colorado

he4givs wrote: so your saying I can't use sabot bullets......?

You can use them but what he is saying is that every rifle is different. Yours may shoot them accurate enough to be able to take a 200 yard shot and still be close enough on a 100 yard shot. It is something that you need to try out in your rifle and see what happens. I personally don't believe that a Hawkin rifle is a 200 yard gun. I have a TC Renegade and feel that 150 yards is max.

he4givs · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 5

not only is the Hawkins probably NOT a 200 yard rifle...... I just realized that nieither gun is tapped out for scope mount rings..... so....... they will have to be iron sight guns I guess....... so 200 yard shots are out the window....... so I'm just looking for a combination bullet - powder that will give me max range. I also have a 54 cal TC Pistol that I've shot deer with years ago at 50 yards in one of Quest's Videos. I guess I need to watch my own videos and see what I did years ago. BUT....... I'm wanting to go forward into longer range shooting..... if that is possible...... thanks for your imput..... all is appreciated.....

Fisher King · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 317 Location: Muskoka Ontario

he4givs wrote: so your saying I can't use sabot bullets......?
Do you know the twist of the barrel 1/28 is usualy for sabots . you can try sabot in your gun it may shoot them allright but I was just stating rule of thumb
If your gun has a 1/48 twist you mabe able to getaway with using saboted bullets but from what I have learned is that conicals or PRB are the way to go.
I hope I didn't ruffle any feathers.
F.K. :thumbsup1:

Kirrmeister · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 256 Location: Bavaria, Germany

Here some recommendations from Germany!

1. I guess your .50 CV rifle will have a 1 in 48'' ROT and so it will be a universal bullet shooter and you can use it for sabots. I will recommend any kind of sabot or great plains bullets from Hornady (kind of Minie with HP). With a adjustable sight and and a good load of bp (100 grs Goex FFg) you should be able to get good grouping up to 200 yds. With the right combo you can bring down any kind of game walking in the USA.

2. For the .54 GPR it is a RB shooter. With its adjustable sight you can bring the RB up to 150 yds with good accuracy. Start with 100 grs GOEX FFg, .535 RB and .010" lubed patch.

BTW I read Dave Ehrigs book "Muzzleloading for Deer and Turkey" with great interest.

Have fun!

Regards

Kirrmeister

Kirrmeister · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 256 Location: Bavaria, Germany

Here some recommendations from Germany!

1. I guess your .50 CV rifle will have a 1 in 48'' ROT and so it will be a universal bullet shooter and you can use it for sabots. I will recommend any kind of sabot or great plains bullets from Hornady (kind of Minie with HP). With a adjustable sight and and a good load of bp (100 grs Goex FFg) you should be able to get good grouping up to 200 yds. With the right combo you can bring down any kind of game walking in the USA.

2. For the .54 GPR it is a RB shooter. With its adjustable sight you can bring the RB up to 150 yds with good accuracy. Start with 100 grs GOEX FFg, .535 RB and .010" lubed patch.

BTW I read Dave Ehrigs book "Muzzleloading for Deer and Turkey" with great interest.

Have fun!

Regards

Kirrmeister

he4givs · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Posts: 5

thanks for the tips from Germany....... I'll try those loads .......

I never read Dave's book..... but need too...... he made my a custom made powder horn back around 1990........ it's too fancy to use...... but a keep sake for sure...... I need to talk to Dave..... it's been years........ thanks again..... Jesus Bless you......Dan