Pedersoli .54 Mountain Rifle (Hawken-type)

springfield art · Aug 13, 2024

I mentioned here I had won one, percussion, recently at a raffle. I'm going to shoot it soon; what would be a good starting point? I'd say 60 gr. FFFg w/ patched round ball. It has the slow twist, not the faster twist for 'bullets'.

towgunner11h · Aug 13, 2024

That sounds reasonable. My Renegade preferred a bigger charge, but 60 grains is a good starting point. Let accuracy be your guide from there.

Phil Coffins · Aug 13, 2024

Or you could skip the starting point and go to what has proven to be an excellent load, 80 grains of 2fg and a patched round ball.

Grenadier1758 · Aug 13, 2024

To give a total blind starting point, I would say 65 to 70 grains of 3fg black powder, 0.010 under sized to bore ball, wrapped in a sample lubricated cotton drill cloth patch and you may not need to move your sights or you may just be starting a 100 round load development process.

Smokey Plainsman · Aug 14, 2024

60 should get you going and should be fairly mild on the kickback.

Daveboone · Aug 14, 2024

Certainly safe and reasonable starting at 60 grains. I shoot my .54 flinter with 80 with a .015 patch.

Thingamajiggy · Aug 14, 2024

Would say that's a great place to start. Found that all of my .54s through the years seem to fall around the 80 - 90grs of 2F for decent all around hunting loads.

towgunner11h · Aug 14, 2024

I have also found this true in my Renegade as well- 80-90 grain range.

flconch53 · Aug 14, 2024

springfield art said:
I mentioned here I had won one, percussion, recently at a raffle. I'm going to shoot it soon; what would be a good starting point? I'd say 60 gr. FFFg w/ patched round ball. It has the slow twist, not the faster twist for 'bullets'.

That's what my 54 renegade likes.

Shortfingers · Aug 14, 2024

Phil Coffins said:
Or you could skip the starting point and go to what has proven to be an excellent load, 80 grains of 2fg and a patched round ball.

springfield art · Aug 14, 2024

Phil Coffins said:
Or you could skip the starting point and go to what has proven to be an excellent load, 80 grains of 2fg and a patched round ball.

Know what? I've written that down and will try it! The rifle is a real solid piece of steel, and it's easy to imagine a buffalo hunter reaching out at a target to launch a big .54 ball! Thanks! I sense that that little bit of wisdom comes recommended!

springfield art · Aug 14, 2024

I'm fortunate to have a goodly supply of BP in stock, of all grades, and look forward to pretending to be a buffalo hunter; though I'd never shoot at anything other than a paper or clay target or what have you.

Mike in FL · Nov 28, 2024

Phil Coffins said:
Or you could skip the starting point and go to what has proven to be an excellent load, 80 grains of 2fg and a patched round ball.

Yes! That seems to be the best load for 54s. That is exactly what my Colonial likes. I tried everything but groups really shrank when I switched from 3F to 2F.

Pedersoli .54 Mountain Rifle (Hawken-type)

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Pedersoli .54 Mountain Rifle (Hawken-type)

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