Asking again. Best load for a .50 cal?

[RATROD56]

Im sorry, I know I've asked this before but, I can't find the thread so I am asking again. What is the best load for target shooting a .50cal Hawken, .490 ball, Pyrodex FFG & .015 patch? 75 grains? Again, sorry to repeat a question.

 

[deerstalkert]

Rat. as always each rifle likes its own recipe. i have 4 Hawkens 2 50's and 2 54's
my 50's like 95g ffg with the 490 and 015 patch. shoots better than i can. let me say though , that is 95g of my own blackpowder. i haven't used commercial bp in years. just play with it in 5 grain increments.

 

[RATROD56]

I've done 75 & 80 grains. Wasn't sure where the line between safe and dangerous was.

 

[Mulebrain]

I run 60 grains fff

 

[drstrangelove]

My most accurate load in the CVA Mountain rifle is .490, .10 patch cut at muzzle, 90gr FFg Goex, and moose milk spray for patch lube. If I can see the 4" gong at 100yds, it rings. Misses are usually attributable to needing another spray of target paint.

 

[RATROD56]

My most accurate load in the CVA Mountain rifle is .490, .10 patch cut at muzzle, 90gr FFg Goex, and moose milk spray for patch lube. If I can see the 4" gong at 100yds, it rings. Misses are usually attributable to needing another spray of target paint.

I haven't used Goex, is it better than Pyrodex or about the same?

 

[ohio ramrod]

Each rifle has it's own "sweet spot" for powder charges to give the best accuracy. All you can do is try some and see what is best for grouping. That is one thing about this game you never know until you try!

 

[drstrangelove]

I haven't used Goex, is it better than Pyrodex or about the same?

Pyrodex is harder to ignite; with the offset nipple blast, it is not a sure thing. I have had to go so far as to open the drum access screw and add 4gr of FFFFg under the nipple to get things going. I don't buy pyrodex anymore. My residual pyrodex gets used up by dropping half the 90gr charge as holy black FFG first then the second half as pyrodex. No failures that way and it cuts down on holy black consumption. Have about 3 more pyrodex rs bottles to get through.

 

[Walkingeagle]

I use 60gr Goex 2fg with .490 ball and .018” moose milk wet patch for targets.
Better half uses 50gr Pyrodex RS with .490 ball and .015” prelubed store bought patches. She can shoot!!
Walk

 

[Kansas Jake]

I think issues with Pyrodex not going off is related to some guns and the design of the channel from nipple to main charge. I've had very few issues with a TC Hawken percussion regardless of the type of cap used. Some of the breech designs such as the CVA may give more issues. I don't use Pyrodex much any more simply because I have plenty of black powder.

 

[user 36911]

70gr of Goex 2F is a deer hunting load.

 

[TreeMan]

Im sorry, I know I've asked this before but, I can't find the thread so I am asking again. What is the best load for target shooting a .50cal Hawken, .490 ball, Pyrodex FFG & .015 patch? 75 grains? Again, sorry to repeat a question.

You can buy ten exact same make and model rifles. Each one of them will have a different load, powder patch combo preference. Same with modern rifles and different types of ammo. You have to make the time to experiment to find the load that suits your rifle.

 

[mooman76]

When you start a thread you should make a better title as to what you want. Makes it easier to find later. I've answered threads myself only to think of something to add later and have trouble or can't find it again.

 

[Zonie]

I will change the title to something that tells people what the thread is all about.

 

[deermanok]

You have to spend time at the range to find the best load. IDK what the max load suggested is for your rig but you could research it to know for sure.
Do some 5 shot groups at various ranges. Start with 60 grains of powder, then go up 10 grains. Repeat until you find the sweet spot. For my own 50 caliber rifle, I found that 80 grains of 3f Old Ensyford with a patched round ball, .018" dry pillow ticking patch that I lube with good old spit works good for me.

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

You might as well ask a driver about Fords or Chevys. Or a lover about blondes or brunettes. I have four 50 caliber rifles. Three flint, one percussion (may the good Lord forgive me.) My primary gun I shoot in matches uses 70 grains FFFG with a patched .490 round ball and a patch lubed with (gasp!) Naturalube 1000 or equivalent. The cap lock likes 90 grains Triple 7 powder. I chose the 70 grain load for the flintlock as a hunting load, it just happens to group like five teenagers; close and tight. Your gun will tell you what it likes, if you offer it to the various options. No one else's load is right for your gun, except by happy circumstance.

ADK Bigfoot

 

[ord sgt]

Just to add to the mix of loads, I use 50 grains FFFg in my Penna flint long rifles behind a .010 patch w/ ox yoke wonderlube and a .495 roundball.
In the T/C .45, it's 45 gr FFFg, a .010 patch wonderlube and a .440 roundball.

 

[TNsourdough]

My .50 custom made long rifle likes 65 grains of fffg. My Pedersoli Scout .50 flinter likes 55 grains of ffg.

 

[Butler Ford]

It's the one that requires effort on your part. It's the one that YOUR gun likes that meets YOUR criteria for acceptable accuracy and velocity with your lube, ball, patch, primer and bullet seating pressure.

 

[Curley 50 cal]

Oddly all barrels like different combinations. I have a Green Mountain 50 cal barrel that is very happy to run 75-80 gr. 2f goex, patched with a 0.018 mink oil lubed patch, and a 495 ball.