.50 Hawken Replica

Terry G · 09-21-2016, 05:10 PM

I'm trying to work up a Deer load for my replica. Anybody here have suggestions? It's been several years and I'm sure there's a better load than the 70 gr. FFG and patched ball I used.

John in AR · 09-21-2016, 09:13 PM

Do you know the twist rate? If it's intended for use with a round ball, the twist rate may be too slow to use much of anything else. If it DOESN'T work well with a round ball, that may be good news; it may be that the twist rate is faster and appropriate for maxi-balls or saboteurs bullets.

{edit - I assume you mean patched round ball, but you know what they say about assumptions...}

Terry G · 09-22-2016, 08:35 AM

No, I don't know the rate of twist to the rifling. I shoot it with round, patched balls. 70 Gr. FFg. Spot on for accuracy at 100 yards. I have maxi-balls with a plastic type cup to be loaded over the powder, but haven't tried them yet.

John in AR · 09-22-2016, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry G

No, I don't know the rate of twist to the rifling. I shoot it with round, patched balls. 70 Gr. FFg. Spot on for accuracy at 100 yards. I have maxi-balls with a plastic type cup to be loaded over the powder, but haven't tried them yet.

Do you mind sharing the make & model?

Terry G · 09-22-2016, 08:46 AM

It's an Armsport .50 Hawken. I've had it like, forever. I've got some running around to do. I'll post a picture this P.M. Thanks.

Terry G · 09-22-2016, 11:03 AM

.50 Hawken Armsport, .44 Pietta Colt

John in AR · 09-23-2016, 10:43 AM

Out of boredom last night I searched the net some, and from what I found it looks like the armsport hawken has a 1:28 twist, which is VERY fast for a muzzle-loader. It's been 20 years or so since I sold my last muzzle loader, but iirc, most round-ball oriented guns use something like a 1:66, and more modern-oriented ones use a 1:38 or so. (At least back then, and assuming I'm remembering correctly.)

If it were me, I'd run a tight patch or cleaning brush thru it on a cleaning rod or the ramrod, and determine by the rod's rotation how fast the twist really is. If it actually is 1:28 (or even 1:38), you could probably use most any projectile you want.

There's probably some good blackpowder forums with lots of load ideas. There seems to be forums for pretty much everything nowadays - I'm a member of gun forums, a couple watch forums, an aquaponics forum and even a tractor forum. Lot of info available out there for free nowadays, as long as you filter it carefully.

09-21-2016, 05:10 PM	#1
Terry G Registered User Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,091	.50 Hawken Replica I'm trying to work up a Deer load for my replica. Anybody here have suggestions? It's been several years and I'm sure there's a better load than the 70 gr. FFG and patched ball I used.

09-21-2016, 09:13 PM	#2
John in AR Registered User Joined: May 2004 From: Central Arkansas Posts: 5,530	Do you know the twist rate? If it's intended for use with a round ball, the twist rate may be too slow to use much of anything else. If it DOESN'T work well with a round ball, that may be good news; it may be that the twist rate is faster and appropriate for maxi-balls or saboteurs bullets. {edit - I assume you mean patched round ball, but you know what they say about assumptions...} Last edited by John in AR; 09-21-2016 at 09:15 PM.

09-22-2016, 11:03 AM	#6
Terry G Registered User Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,091	.50 Hawken Armsport, .44 Pietta Colt Attached Thumbnails

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09-22-2016, 08:35 AM	#3
Terry G Registered User Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,091	No, I don't know the rate of twist to the rifling. I shoot it with round, patched balls. 70 Gr. FFg. Spot on for accuracy at 100 yards. I have maxi-balls with a plastic type cup to be loaded over the powder, but haven't tried them yet.

09-22-2016, 08:46 AM	#5
Terry G Registered User Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,091	It's an Armsport .50 Hawken. I've had it like, forever. I've got some running around to do. I'll post a picture this P.M. Thanks.

09-23-2016, 10:43 AM	#7
John in AR Registered User Joined: May 2004 From: Central Arkansas Posts: 5,530	Out of boredom last night I searched the net some, and from what I found it looks like the armsport hawken has a 1:28 twist, which is VERY fast for a muzzle-loader. It's been 20 years or so since I sold my last muzzle loader, but iirc, most round-ball oriented guns use something like a 1:66, and more modern-oriented ones use a 1:38 or so. (At least back then, and assuming I'm remembering correctly.) If it were me, I'd run a tight patch or cleaning brush thru it on a cleaning rod or the ramrod, and determine by the rod's rotation how fast the twist really is. If it actually is 1:28 (or even 1:38), you could probably use most any projectile you want. There's probably some good blackpowder forums with lots of load ideas. There seems to be forums for pretty much everything nowadays - I'm a member of gun forums, a couple watch forums, an aquaponics forum and even a tractor forum. Lot of info available out there for free nowadays, as long as you filter it carefully.