.54 Flint loads

[Finnwolf]

Hello .54 shooters,
I' moving up from a .50 to a .54 this year and I'm likely to not have enough time to work up the optimal load before the season gets here.

Wondering if I could fast track the process by hearing what works for y'all.

I'm mainly interested in hearing from guys who shoot patched round ball in a 39" Rice .54 cal flinter 'cause that's what I'll be shooting.

I've always shot 2F Goex, 90 grain in my .50 but that was a 31" barrel but I'd like to hear what works best for you .54 shooters.

Thanks

 

[rabjr]

Only differance with mine are one has a 33" and the other has a 42" barrel. Both guns worked very well with 90 2F Goex with a lubed .018 patch. The 1792 with 42" actually drives tacks with that load.

I have since started using 3F Graff in the 1803 with 33" barrel with good results. But I rarely use .54 anymore.

 

[longrifle78]

My huntin load for my 54 (44" colerain barrel)is a 530 ball and 60grns of goex fff.

 

[flintlock75]

I have 3 .54 rifles, 1 w/26" barrel, 55gr or 110gr 3f, .530 rb with .010 patch. one for targets and one for moose.
1 wth 28" barrel, 70grs 3f, .530 ball and .018 patch. very accurate.

1 with 36" barrel, 80grs of 3f, .530 ball and .018 patch, works great, very accurate. I will be using this one on moose this year.

 

[Goldhunter]

My .54 flint has a 38" GM barrel. It likes .530 rb, .018 patch, and 85 grains of FFFg for hunting.

 

[sniper68]

38" G.M. Hawken cap lock. .535 ball, .018 ticking and 80 grns. FFFG. Tried up to 110 grns. All shot OK, but wasn't impressed. More powder, more recoil, YUK!

 

[hanshi]

I have a US M1841 with a 33" barrel. I've only used it to take one deer with a .530 ball, .015 patch & 110 grains Goex 3f. It shot very, very well with that load but recoil was unpleasant even with the 9 & 1/2 pound heft. Don't use that load anymore. 60 grains 3f gives me 1" groups for 5 shots at 50 & 60 yards. Doesn't kick bad, either.

 

[arquebus]

Thirty-two inch Shilen(?) barrel. Use .535" RB, .018" patch & 95gns of Goex 2Fg. Very accurate & plenty of power.

 

[GregC]

.530 RB, .015 patch and 80grains of FFG out of my TVM Iron Pa Rifle. Not sure what brand barrel it is but it shoots real nice.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

I have a mostly Italian Hawken made up from scounged parts and acquired several barrels for it. The 54 barrel I have is from Investams, made in italy and it is very accurate with light loads, but opens up wildly with loads over 75 grains. I normally shoot targets with it. 50 grains of ffg, 535 ball and .o12 patch.

 

[dbutch]

Finwolf...Lyman-GPH flint 1 in 32 twist 32 in barrel

80 fff Graf's BP..30 thds. cotton denim patch-lubed .520 round ball--2 inches at 75 yards. My next barrel will be a Rice. Have fun working up a load!

 

[satwel]

62 grains of FFF, .530 ball, .018 patch lubed with jojoba oil works great for 25 and 50 yd target work in my 42" GM barrel. Up the charge to 80 grains and use a direct hold for 100 yds.

 

[cowpoke1955]

I have a .54 GPR flinter that loves 80 grains of FFg Goex, .530 ball and pillow ticking (.018) patch lubed with Ballistol. One ragged hole at 50 yards :thumbsup:

 

[Zoar]

My Lyman 54 Flinter loves 80 grains of 3F and a .530 round ball under a wonder patch when I want to hit anything I aim at 50-60 yards or so.

 

[buckskinner]

about the same here for my Lyman GPR .54 flint

75 grains FFg Goex .530 ball with .015 patch with Balistol lube
when hunting i use 2 over powder wads