Best powder for hunting results??

[tbarrow]

I am brand new to muzzleloading and soon will be ordering a Cabelas Traditional Hawken rifle .54 caliber percussion cap and the subsequent starter kit. However, for obvious reasons, the starter kit does not come with a powder. What propellent is most preferred for shooting? From an easy of cleaning, to most consistent under "hunting" conditions (weather, etc.), any suggestions would be a great help. I am thinking of going with either Pyrodex or traditonal Black Powder, however I am not sure what grain size to order.

Thanks for all the help in advance,

 

[Norskie]

Begin with Goex 2f blackpowder. You may never need another choice.

 

[jtmattison]

Begin with Goex 2f blackpowder. You may never need another choice.

I shoot very little 2f any more.
3f Goex burns cleaner and gives better velocity.

I shoot Goex 3f in all of my .54 caliber guns.

Huntin Dawg

 

[JOHN L. HINNANT]

Greeting Tbarrow,

For me, under the conditions you set, there is no question. 3FFF hands down, particular in damp or rainy weather.

For hunting in the usually sunny dry Southwest (where I live), I prefer 2FF. It is more forgiving in the heavier powder charges. However, as stated above, weather conditions determine what powder I use.

I also strongly suggest you use only real black powder.

Best regards and good shooting,

John L. Hinnant

If you are not an NRA Member, why not? I am carrying your load.

 

[roundball]

I am brand new to muzzleloading and soon will be ordering a Cabelas Traditional Hawken rifle .54 caliber percussion cap and the subsequent starter kit. However, for obvious reasons, the starter kit does not come with a powder. What propellent is most preferred for shooting? From an easy of cleaning, to most consistent under "hunting" conditions (weather, etc.), any suggestions would be a great help. I am thinking of going with either Pyrodex or traditonal Black Powder, however I am not sure what grain size to order.

Thanks for all the help in advance,

Real BP is definitely advantageous over a BP sub in terms of ignition reliability.

I've used Pyrodex RS in sidelock caplocks and overall it did very well, but not as 100% reliable as Goex that I've used for a few years now...and 3F works best for me for 99% of my shooting...2F occasionally in a larger bore.

An obvious benefit to something like Pyrodex is that you can usually buy it at several local stores (Walmart), whereas you'll need to find a local supplier who happens to carry Goex, or order a few cans from Graf & Sons, or PowderInc, etc.

So if you can do it, IMO, I would highly recommend Goex over any knid of BP sub.

 

[Tracy]

From what i have tried I think either is a good choice.Have used Pyrodex R.S.with good results.Using R.S.and T/C.bore butter can shoot all day without swabbing between shots in T/C Renegade .54 cal. Cleanup is not bad.
Tried Goex fff.g ignites good accuracy also good.A little harder to load between shots.Cleanup about the same as R.S. TRIPLE 7 very easy cleanup lots of power but after 3 or 4 shots get a crud ring and have problems seating follow up shots.
Clean Shot super easy cleanup accurate,seems a bit puny in the power department and have a bit of a hangfire problem.
Since crud ring isnt mutch of an issue deer hunting my hunting load is 100 grs.TRIPLE 7 430 grn.Maxi ball.
Plinking i use R.S or GOEX fffg.Going to try KIK and Swiss in the near future.

 

[Walks Alone]

I too shoot very little Goex FFg anymore preferring the FFFg even in the 54. Will probably switch to Swiss though once the Goex runs out.

 

[Landngroove]

Go with Goex FFFG. My .54 T/C Renegades, and .54 White Mountain Carbine, with a prb, group very well with this.

 

[Black Hand]

I have one of the Cabela Hawkens and have used nothing but GOEX FFFg ~65-70 grains with a .530 ball and .012 thickness patches.

You may also save considerable $$$$ and just buy the stuff in the starter kit from your local sporting goods store. Thats' what I did.

 

[Dave K]

I am shooting mostly Swiss in my rifles. 2F goes in my 50cal. and guns below that get 3F.

 

[Swampman]

I used my last 2f to green up the back yard. 3f GOEX is what you want. It's inexpensive and clean burning.