.54 TC

[Drago]

I picked up a 54 15/16 Hawken barrel and wondered what loads others have found best in theirs. I did'nt realize they made one in 54 in a 15/16.

 

[BrownBear]

I have one of them too. It's a treat to carry, compared to the heavier 1". Mine is equally happy with 90-100 grains of Goex 2f or Pyrodex RS, or 90 grains of Goex 3f or Pyrodex P. Pretty democratic about loads, taking heavier or lighter well too. Just seems to digest what you feed it.

Just so long as the patch/ball combo is pretty tight. I'm using a .535 ball with a .018 ticking patch and a light smear of TOW mink oil tallow for lube. Takes a pretty good whack on the short starter to get it going. But if my patch/ball combo is any looser, accuracy goes south pretty quick.

 

[Rat Trapper]

My TC 1" Hawken likes 90 grains of Triple Seven 2F with a .530 Hornady ball, 15 thousands ox yoke patch with wonder lube. rifle will also shoot very well with Hornady great plains conical bullets too. Use felt wad under bullet with them.

 

[bubba.50]

70gr equivalent of pyrodex RS under a .535 ball & 90gr equivalent under a well lubed maxi-ball work for me & shoot to the same point-of-aim at 75yds.

 

[don hepler]

I have a 1" barreled 54 TC Hawken, and I didn't realize they ever made a 15/16 either.

I can't remember the load, that I used. I do remember getting a nice group at 50 yards, and I always shot a round ball.

I love the 54 caliber, but my 50 caliber long rifle is the one I shoot most.

 

[Drago]

Thanks for the replies, sounds like a good starting point. now to just get to the range.

 

[bigted]

cant go wrong with a 54 rifle. they just percolate along with most reasonable loads ... my rifles both love the .530 ball patched with a .018 patch and 80 grain 2Fg load sparked with a CCI or REM cap altho I have began to try the winchester "magnum" caps with much success for now.

 

[johnfrommd]

My .54 New Englander likes .530 ball and .013 patch. At 50 yards I use 60 gns of 3F and get one inch groups from a bench. I use TOW mink oil on the patch and swab between shots with a damp patch.

For 100 to 150, I use 400gn maxi ball and 100 gns of 3F. You have to wear a pad to shoot this load off the bench even with the plastic stock and its rubber butt plate. :shake: I made this load for elk and wild pig. It is truely a DRT load.

John

 

[bigted]

oh good lord above ... that is a really heavy load for anything on the NA continent ... except maybe the big bears in the frozen north.

 

[Shibbershabber]

My best load was 80gr of FF under a Maxi ball (home cast w/ tc mold)

I could hit inside 6" at 100yds fairly consistently.

 

[Cbriggs57]

Don't have the 15/16 barrel, but I'm experimenting with the Lyman great plains bullets in my 54 Hawken. The first two shots with a load of 80 gr 777 almost touched at 25 yards. T/C book max is 120 gr equivalent, though 90 is the accuracy load. Yes, I know it's too much and "PRB is all you need!". Mmhm. Got it. That's what my 50 cal Pennsylvania Hunter is for. This one? This is for the glorious kaBOOM when she goes off.

 

[Cbriggs57]

Sorry, I meant HORNADY bullets. 425 grain 54 cal. Have great expectations for them.