.54 cablas hawkens need advice

[coolgreen]

I got my first .54 cablas hawkens left modle with 1-48 twist the guy at cablas seemed to know what he was doing but it was so busy in there I was rushed he set me up with .530 ball and pyrodex ffg powder and shooting patch pre lubed at .010 thickness how much powder do i use and is this the best combo what shoots best in this rife ect thanks for any help looking forward to taking it to the woods

 

[BrownBear]

That patch may prove too thin for best accuracy with a .530 ball, but it will get you shooting. I'd go to .015 or .018 sooner or later, sooner if the patches you recover after shooting are shredded. I'd say 60-80 grains of 2f will be an ideal starting load, and something probably accurate enough for target once the gun has been shot a little. You'll see guys using 80 grains and more of 2f or Pyrodex RS or Select for hunting loads.

I'd clean the bore first with brake cleaner, just cuzz the gunk they use to protect it for shipping is hard to get out any other way.

 

[fredrader]

Welcome to the site
I don't have a .54 but in my .50cal I use 40g for punching holes in paper and it is very accurate..I tried 90 and it was all over the place..I would start somewhere between 40-60g..
The max is like 100g or so but if you use that much and a patched round ball it goes down the brl so fast it does not grab the rifling so it does not put the spin on the ball and accuracy drops considerably..Have fun

 

[Keppy]

My 54cal cabela"s that I use to have before I sold it. I was shooting 65 grs FFF goex with .526 ball that I cast. That was my deer load and great group's. I also used 70grs FF goex. Both loads were very good. I also use a OPW. "Wasp nest" There good shooter. The rear sight is junk but other than that you'll be happy with it.

 

[playfarmers]

I think that it is much like my Lyman Trade rifle. I use a .530 home cast ball, 80g of 2f real black, over powder wad, 18 th patch that mikes at 16th, and stumpys moose snot, or Ballistol. It has taken 4 whitetails so far.

 

[coolgreen]

Thanks for all the info Ill let you guys know how I make out with the rifle I'm going to change the site on it Lyman I think is this a good choice? :wink:
Thanks so much great site !!!

 

[hrchotaw]

my cabelas hawken sight is screwed on,and the lyman is dovetailed,IMHO it may not work,better check your setup first and make sure it is dovetailed! :thumbsup:

 

[newtewsmoke]

The rear sight is junk but other than that you'll be happy with it.

who would make a good replacement rear sight for it?