Building a Hawken

[parrett]

Hello Folks,
I'm new to the board and I'm writing from Dutch Harbor, Alaska, out on the Aleutian Chain.

I have some questions and they've probably been asked a thousand times, but here goes.

I want to build a TOTW Hawken rifle and was wondering about the differences between the Goodoien barrel vs. the standard barrel they include. Also, what are the benefits of going with either a 1 1/8" or 1" barrel. I've never build a rifle before but I'm decent with both hand tools as well as power tools. Winter is approaching and I'll be needing a project now that our house is mostly finished.

Thanks for your time,

Dan

 

[faw3]

Youv come to the right place for Hawken builders, weve got a few FIRST CLASS ones ck the Pictures?Photos Section and see if you can still find Cooner 54 and rabbit 03's just to name some of the latest and known to me builders. And go thru the back pages of the Builders section cking Hawken builds got to be a bunch the last few years. fred :hatsoff:

 

[F.G. Ford]

Hi Dan,
Welcome to the Forum.
They say that the Hawken Rifle is somewhat harder to build than the "Longrifle"
I don't see any differeence, other than the actual design.
As to your question regarding the width of the barrel, 1", 1 1/8", or 1 1/4", I guess it all depends what caliber your wish is.
The larger the barrel, the more difficult it will be to find a precarved, or simi-precarved stock.
Also big caliber, big lead, and big powder.
How is your powder, and lead supply, especially where you live?
These are concerns you must entertain.
If you have access to a surface grinder, you can start with a wider barrel and taper the flats to the muzzle, to balance your rifle a little better.
I made a .62 cal. 32" barrel, 1 1/8" Hawken, a few years ago.
It is quite heavy to carry, at eleven (11) pounds, but great to shoot, with no appreciable recoil (felt recoil).
Best Regards
Old Ford

 

[parrett]

Hmmmm, something told me I came to the right place.

As far as caliber, it's going to be a 54. Any lead, powder, etc. I'll find a way to get it here. Basically we can get anything to our Island, we just have to pay for it.

Thanks to all and what a great community to be a part of. I was/am a longbow hunter, but due to an injury, the bows are getting tougher to pull back and I refuse to shoot a bow with training wheels. It seems like a traditional muzzle loader is the next logical step for me.

Thanks again,

Dan

ps. if you've seen the discovery channel's "Deadliest Catch", that's where I live.

 

[Black Hand]

......I refuse to shoot a bow with training wheels....

Thats' good to hear. I can't bring myself to shoot one either.

Welcome, you'll probably get more info here than you bargained for!

 

Dan, if you are set on the TOTW Hawken kit, I would recommend their tapered barrel in a .54 cal. Tapered from 1 1/8-1" at the muzzle. They have the stock and barrels for the tapered rifles. A straight octagon in a 1 1/8" x .54 is going to be too heavy for a hunting rifle. A 1" across the flats will be even lighter than the Taoer in a .54. I would recommend either the taper or the straight 1". in the .54 from Track. You can check out all of their options on their web-site.[url] trackofthewolf.com[/url]

If you are not set on a TOTW kit, try Don Stith. He has some great parts sets for several different original Hawken rifles. Early, Late, halfstock or fullstock, flint or percussion. Whatever flavor you want as long as you want it authentic in detail.

 

[J.D.]

If you are not set on a TOTW kit, try Don Stith. He has some great parts sets for several different original Hawken rifles. Early, Late, halfstock or fullstock, flint or percussion. Whatever flavor you want as long as you want it authentic in detail.

I second Don's parts kits. His kits are the best of the best.
[url] http://www.donstith.com/muzzle_loading_rifles.html[/url]

 

[Jim-Iowa]

Goodien makes a very fine barrel.
If you want one you best get it soon.
I just read on another forum today he was
re-retiring the end of this month.

 

[parrett]

Thanks for the info on Don's kits. I took a look and they're great. The reason I'm thinking of TOTW is for the option of them doing some of the gunsmithing. I'll send off an email to Don and see if he has that option.

Dan

 

[TGeorge]

I built a full-stock flint-lock type Hawken with a .54 caliber barrel - 1 1/8" at the breech tapered to 1" at the muzzle, about 34" long. Handles very well and feels well balenced. I think the thicker wall at the breech is a good idea and the lighter muzzle makes the balance better.